John 1:33

33 I would not have known him. But the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'You will see the Spirit come down and remain on someone. He is the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'

John 1:33 Meaning and Commentary

John 1:33

And I knew him not
That is, before he came to be baptized by him; when it was secretly suggested to him who he was, and the following signal was given him, to confirm him in it:

but he that sent me to baptize with water;
or "in water"; that is, God; for John's mission was from God, as in ( John 1:6 ) , and his baptism from heaven; he had a divine warrant and commission for what he did:

the same said unto me;
either by an articulate voice, or by a divine impulse on his mind, or by the revelation of the Spirit:

upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him,
the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost;
that is, the Messiah; (See Gill on Matthew 3:11), (See Gill on Matthew 3:16).

John 1:33 In-Context

31 I did not know him. But God wants to make it clear to Israel who this person is. That's the reason I came baptizing with water."

32 Then John told them, "I saw the Holy Spirit come down from heaven like a dove. The Spirit remained on Jesus.

33 I would not have known him. But the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'You will see the Spirit come down and remain on someone. He is the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'

34 I have seen it happen. I give witness that this is the Son of God."

35 The next day John was again with two of his disciples.