Board index ‹ Specific Bible verses, texts, and passages ‹ 1 John

[Mel B]

What is John referring to by the Spirit, the water, and the blood? (1 John 5:7-8)

[jimwalton]

This is a very difficult text, and there are numerous interpretations. In other words, we can't be sure what it means. Here are a few of the more prominent choices:

1. The water is baptism and the blood is the Lord's Supper.
2. It is speaking of Christ's death on the cross when water and blood flowed from the spear wound.
3. The baptism (the Spirit testified as a dove) and death of Christ (the Father testified with the tearing of the temple curtain).
4. The birth (incarnation: water) and death (crucifixion: blood). John 3.5.

I happen to prefer the 4th version. What testifies to the deity of Christ, in a sense consistent with the writings of John, is the incarnation ("I only do what the Father says"; "I am the Father's presence on Earth, and the Father testifies about me."); the crucifixion, and the Holy Spirit. But I can see the validity of the other views, so...