John 1:34 (GNV)

Passage

And I sawe, and bare record that this is that Sonne of God.

Nearby Context

John 1:32 So Iohn bare recorde, saying, I behelde that Spirit come downe from heauen, like a doue, and it abode vpon him,

John 1:33 And I knewe him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, he saide vnto me, Vpon whom thou shalt see that Spirit come downe, and tary still on him, that is he which baptizeth with the holy Ghost.

John 1:34 And I sawe, and bare record that this is that Sonne of God.

John 1:35 The next day, Iohn stoode againe, and two of his disciples.

John 1:36 And he behelde Iesus walking by, and said, Beholde that Lambe of God.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "sawe", "bare", "record", and "sonne". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "sawe" and "bare", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 33's "And I knewe him not but he..." into verse 35's "The next day Iohn stoode againe and...", so "sawe" and "bare" belong inside that flow. In John context, the local focus is the identity of Jesus, new birth, eternal life, and belief and unbelief.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "sawe" and "bare" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.