Vincent Word Studies - John 1:29 - 1:29

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Vincent Word Studies - John 1:29 - 1:29


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

John

The best texts omit.

Seeth (βλέπει)

Both ὁράω and βλέπω denote the physical act of seeing, the former seeing in general, the latter the single look. The perception indicated by βλέπω is more outward; the perception of sense as distinguished from mental discernment, which is prominent in ὁράω. A look told the Baptist that the Mightier One had come. See on Joh 1:18, and see on Mat 7:3.

Unto (πρὸς)

Strictly, towards.

Behold (ἴδε)

The imperative in the singular number, though the company of his followers is addressed. This construction, however, is not uncommon. See Mat 26:65; Act 13:46.

The Lamb (ὁ ἀμνὸς)

The word occurs in John only here and in Joh 1:36. Also in Act 8:32; 1Pe 1:19. The diminutive ἀρνίον, a little lamb, is found once in the Gospel (Joh 21:15), often in Revelation, but only of the glorified Redeemer, and nowhere else in the New Testament. In some instances the word may emphasize the gentle and innocent character of Jesus suffering to expiate the sins of men (Rev 5:6, Rev 5:12; Rev 13:8); but it is also employed in describing Him as indignant (Rev 6:16); as victorious (Rev 17:4); as the object of adoration (Rev 5:8); and as enthroned (Rev 5:13; Rev 7:17).

The term, the Lamb of God (note the article), is evidently used here by the Baptist in some sense understood by his hearers, and points to Isa 53:7; compare Act 8:32. The reference is probably to the Paschal lamb, though commentators differ.

Of God

Provided by God for sacrifice.

That taketh away (ὁ αἴρων)

Either takes away or takes upon himself, in order to bear: either removal or expiation of sin. The one idea, however, is included in the other. The taking away of the sin is through His bearing it. In Isa 53:1-12 (Sept.), φέρω, to bear, and its compound ἀναφέρω (see on 1Pe 2:5) are used, and αἴρω, to take up and carry away, occurs only in the phrase his life is taken from the earth, A.V., he was cut off out of the land of the living, in accordance with the universal usage of the Septuagint, which never employs αἴρειν to express the bearing of sin. If the Baptist had meant bearing, he would probably have used φέρω. Compare 1Jo 3:5 : “He was manifested to take away (ἵνα ἄρῃ) our sins,” and 1Jo 1:7, “cleanseth us from all sin.” In the use of the present tense, taketh, the Baptist views the future consummation of Christ's atoning work as potentially present.

The sin (τὴν ἁμαρτίαν)

Collectively regarded.

World

See on Joh 1:9.