MARY, OUR MOTHER

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #92

The next day, John saw Jesus coming to him; and he saith: "Behold the Lamb of God. Behold him who taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said: After me there cometh a man, who is preferred before me: because he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he may be made manifest in Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water." And John gave testimony, saying: "I saw the Spirit coming down, as a dove from heaven; and he remained upon him. And I knew him not: but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me: 'He upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining upon him, he it is that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.' And I saw: and I gave testimony that this is the Son of God." (John 1:29-34)

JOHN'S TESTIMONY OF JESUS: 1. John testifies to the fact that our Lord will give Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, i.e. of all men; for he calls Him 'the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world.' The words of John further imply that our Lord would suffer innocently and patiently as foretold by Isaiah; and that in the sacrifice of Christ all other sacrifices find their fulfillment. Hence the Church has put these beautiful words in her Liturgy (Daily Mass, Holy Communion, Litanies). 2. John testifies to our Lord's Pre-existence or Eternity, saying that though born after him He was before him. 3. Finally, the holy Baptist plainly testifies to Christ's Divinity: "I (because I heard the voice which spoke from heaven, when Jesus was baptized), I give testimony that this is the Son of God!"

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)