29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith. Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
33 This is he of whom I said, After me Cometh a man which is preferred before me : for he was before me.
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32 And John bare record, saying.
I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not : but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
This passage contains a verse which ought to be printed in great letters -in the memory of every reader of the Bible. All the stars in heaven are bright and beautiful, and yet one star exceedeth another star in glory. So also all texts of Scripture are inspired and profitable, and yet some texts are richer than others. Of such texts the first verse before us is preeminently one. Never was there a fuller testimony borne to Christ upon earth, than that which is here borne by John the Baptist.