Book of John - Chapter 1 - Verse 31

In this verse, John the Baptist is explaining the reason for his baptizing with water. He says that he did not know Jesus before, but that he came to baptize with water so that Jesus could be made manifest to the people of Israel. John's baptism with water was a symbolic act, representing purification and readiness for the coming of the Messiah. By baptizing with water, John was preparing the hearts of the people for the revelation of Jesus as the one who would fulfill the prophecies and bring salvation to Israel. John saw his role as a way to pave the path for Jesus and to make him known to the people, fulfilling his purpose as the forerunner of Christ. This verse highlights the importance of John's baptism and his mission to prepare the way for the arrival of Jesus as the Savior of the world.

In this verse from the Gospel of John, the phrase "And I knew him not" has been the subject of theological interpretation and word studies. Scholars have looked into the meaning behind John the Baptist's statement that he did not know Jesus before baptizing him. Some interpretations suggest that John did not know Jesus on a personal level before their encounter at the Jordan River, while others emphasize the idea that John did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah until the sign of the Holy Spirit descending upon him. Additionally, the phrase "that he should be made manifest to Israel" hints at John's understanding of his role in preparing the way for Jesus' ministry and revealing him to the people of Israel. John explains his purpose for baptizing with water as a means of manifesting or making Jesus known to the Jewish community and paving the way for his public ministry.