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Joh 1:29. Εῤχόμενον πρὸς αὐτόν, coming to him) after His baptism, as we have seen [and indeed not on the very day of His baptism, on which Jesus was immediately led up into the wilderness (Mat 4:1.) In this place, it seems, Jesus began to walk publickly, Joh 1:36; Joh 1:43, after His return from the wilderness full of victory (we say flushed with victory, victoriæ plenum) Jesus came to John in such a way, that John could point Him out close at hand: and yet Jesus did not begin the conversation with him.-V. g.]-ὁ ἀμνὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, the Lamb of God) He calls Him the Iamb, [as being] innocent, [and] about to be immolated;[One] who renders active and passive obedience, 1Pe 1:19 [the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot]. Ὁ, the article has respect to the prophecy delivered concerning Him under this figure, Isa 53:7 [He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth]; also under the type of the Paschal lamb. Moreover the passover itself was then near, ch. Joh 2:13. John being divinely instructed, calls Him the Lamb of God: although at that early time the exact understanding of this appellation would escape, if not John himself, at least his hearers. [Having first asserted his knowledge as to the exalted nature of the person of Jesus Christ, to wit, as to the Word which was made Flesh; next John describes His office and His chief benefit. In like manner Jesus Christ first presented Himself to be acknowledged by the disciples as Son of God; then He instructed them as to His sufferings, etc.-V. g.]-τοῦ Θεοῦ, of God) The Lamb of God, whom God gave and approved of; and concerning whom He Himself bears such testimony, This is the only Lamb, this is the only victim pleasing to Me, Heb 10:5, etc. “Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldst not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin Thou hast had no pleasure, Then said I, Lo I come to do Thy will O God.” So Psa 51:17, The sacrifices of God [mean those] which God acknowledges [as pleasing to Him], Luk 2:26, the Lord’s Christ.-ὁ αἴρων,) Chrysost. John says, ἀμνὸν ΚΑΙ ΟΤΙ αἴρει, κ.τ.λ. “Behold the Lamb, and that He takes away,” etc. The Vulgate has Ecce Agnus Dei, ECCE qui tollit, etc. [Behold the Lamb, behold Him who takes away]. Both understood the words ὁ ἀμνὸς, ὁ αἴρων, not in the construction of substantive and adjective, but as in apposition. The Lamb of God, i.e., He who takes away, etc. And this second clause was added by either the Baptist, or the Evangelist, as ch. Joh 4:25 [Messias cometh, which is called Christ]. The Lamb of God first took the load of sin off the world on Himself, then rolled it off from Himself. [The same expression evidently, as 1Jn 3:5 (He was manifested to take away our sins).-V. g.]-τὴν ἁμαρτίαν, the sin) The singular number, with the article, [gives it] the greatest force. [There was] the one plague, which seized on all; He bore the whole; He did not so bear one part [of our sin], as not to bear the other. The same singular number is interposed between Plurals, Isa 53:6; Isa 53:8; Isa 53:12, “The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all:” whereas in Joh 1:5, “He was wounded for our transgressions;”-“for the transgression of My people was He stricken;” “He bare the sin of many.” Sin and the world are equally widely extended.