John 1:31
And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
John 1:31
John the Baptist explains his mission: “And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.” John’s insistence on not recognizing Jesus initially is striking. It underscores a divine plan to reveal Jesus through appropriate signs and events. The declaration that the purpose of his baptism was to reveal Jesus to Israel situates John’s ministry within God’s redemptive history: John as the forerunner, preparing for the Messiah whom Israel awaited. Baptism with water was a customary sign of repentance and purification, but John’s baptism was a herald of something greater—spiritual awakening and recognition of the Messiah. The concept that Jesus “should be made manifest to Israel” emphasizes revelation—the necessity that Jesus be identified and acknowledged as the long-expected Anointed One by God’s chosen people.
This verse invites reflection on divine revelation and human response. It highlights that faith comes through seeing and hearing God’s revelation in Jesus. John’s humility—“I knew him not”—acknowledges dependence on revelation from God the Father. It foreshadows the broader mission to the nations: recognizing Jesus is not limited to Israel; his coming will be extended beyond to the world. It also reframes baptism as part of a revelatory process: water baptism paves the way for recognition of the Spirit-filled anointing of the Messiah.
In practical terms, this verse encourages openness to God’s revelation today. Are you attentive to how God might be revealing Jesus in your life—through Scripture, preaching, prayer, or the testimony of others? It challenges us to prepare space for encountering Christ, perhaps by confessing sins, changing habits, or seeking community where the gospel is proclaimed. For church life, it calls leaders and members to be watchful of Jesus’ presence in the midst of service, recognizing that true ministry centers on revealing the Savior. It also invites humility: we do not “know” Jesus by our own design—revelation comes from God, and our response is trust and worship.
Cross-References: Luke 24:45; John 5:39-40; John 6:40; Romans 10:14-15; 2 Corinthians 4:6