Danny Hickman Supporter

This question is asked and many will begin to look all over the Bible for the answer. 

People will guess things like this: The soldier pierced Jesus' side causing blood and water to spew from his body. So that's what John is referring to... No... Jesus was baptized, so that explains the water part; and he bled on the cross, thus depicting the blood part... No...

John explained what he meant in the verses that followed the text in the question. We don't have to do research on the whole Bible for an understanding of most of what is said in scripture. Most passages can be exegeted without turning a page. This is one such scripture narrative. That said, here it is: 

John begins John 4 by telling us, 'Don't believe every spirit.' He's talking about teachers and preachers; he isn’t referring to invisible workers of evil; he's talking about people of the ordinary, everyday variety. People who DON'T KNOW God. They are antichrists. There are many of them already in the world. He's saying, 'don't believe every witness.'

He begins chapter 5 by saying, 'Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.' (John 5:1) (then this): 'If you believe Jesus is the Son of God, you have overcome the world.' (vs 5)

Then John speaks to the narrative in question. He gives Jesus the best authentication known to mankind; he makes God Jesus' witness to him being the Christ. 

"This is He who came by water and blood --- Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, (did you hear that?) because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Spirit; these three are one. (One and the same witness, not three different witnesses. These three are one God, one witness, one testimony). And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one." (1 John 5:6-8) 

Verse 9 couldn't be clearer of what this whole thing is about. It isn't about Jesus' baptism in water, nor him being speared in his side. It's about God's testimony in heaven AND on earth of who is the Son of God. Here's vs 9:

"If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son." 

There are three that give the same testimony of who Jesus is, here in this life. The Spirit and the other two, who are necessary for life on earth: water and blood. The Spirit, water, and blood give the same testimony: Jesus is the living Word of God. The Word was made flesh. That's God's testimony.

9 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

To me, the reference to Jesus coming by water could refer to both the fact that he had experienced the normal process of birth (indicating that He was truly, fully human), and His baptism, in which He placed Himself under the Law so that He could perfectly fulfill it.

The reference to His coming by blood was related to the purpose of His incarnation being to shed His blood as the atoning sacrifice for human sin.

In writing these words, John may also have had in mind the way in which water and blood flowed from the wound in Jesus' side caused by the Roman soldier piercing it with his spear, of which John had been a personal witness at Christ's crucifixion (John 19:33-37).

July 01 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Dale Casselman Supporter Christian/Circus Clown

John MacArthur Study Bible says:

Water and blood Constitute external, objective witness to who Jesus is.

They refer to Jesus' baptism (water), and death (blood).

CSB Ancient Faith Study Bible has Oecumenius saying: Why did Jesus come? 

To give us new birth and to make us children of God.

How are we born? Through water and blood.

The Jesus who came gave us new birth by water and blood.

The water stands for His baptism, when Jesus was revealed as the Son, of God.

The blood, of course, stands for His crucifixion, when He prayed that the Father would glorify Him, and a voice as were from heaven: "I have glorified [it], and I will glorify [it again]" [JOHN 12:28]. Commentary on 1 John.

Bible Believer's Commentary has a great answer. But, it is way too long to write out.
I recommend you check it out for yourself, as it gives some very interesting comparisons.

November 29 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report