John. Jey J. Kanagaraj

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John - Jey J. Kanagaraj


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the prologue and the whole Gospel story, by having the testimony of the Baptist as the starting point for the formation of new covenant community around Jesus. There was an apprehension among the religious leaders in Jerusalem about the Baptist’s ministry, which drew many to become his disciples. Therefore they sent a delegation of priests and Levites to John the Baptist to gather firsthand information about his real identity and the purpose of his mission. The delegates met the Baptist at “Bethany beyond Jordan,” where John was baptizing (1:28).23

      Content of the Baptist’s witness (1:29–34)

      In 1:29–34, the Baptist unveils who Jesus is and implicitly what he will accomplish. For the first time the name “Jesus” appears in 1:29 after 1:17. The day after the enquiry of Jerusalem leaders, John gives a picture of the real Christ, Jesus, who was coming toward the Baptist (1:29). There is no reference in this section either to the audience to whom Jesus was introduced or to his baptism. Perhaps John intended the audience to be anyone who reads it. The Baptist bears witness to Jesus as “the Lamb of God, who removes the sin of the world.”

      Exodus 12 may give a possible background to John 1:29, since Jesus was identified in Christian circles as the Lamb of God in whose death people receive deliverance just like the people of Israel were delivered from Egyptian bondage by the offering of the paschal lamb (cf. 19:36 with Exod 12:46 and Num 9:12; 1 Cor 5:7). However, Isa 53:4–7 gives a relevant background to interpret “the Lamb of God” in John 1:29, 36. Just like the Servant of the Lord who would heal people by carrying their sorrows and sins (Isa 53:4–6), by offering himself for sin (Isa 53:10), and by pouring his soul to death (Isa 53:12), so also Jesus will take away human sin by pouring himself out to death on the cross. His death will bring deliverance for people from their suffering and eternal destruction. Thus, the Baptist witnesses to Jesus as the Lamb who will be slaughtered on the cross for human sin to bring salvation for all who believe. The readers can see a shadow of the cross in the Baptist’s witness.