1 John 5:6

This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

1 John 5:6 (KJV)

Context

The apostle John wrote this epistle to strengthen believers in their assurance of eternal life and to encourage genuine faith in Jesus Christ. In 1 John 5:6, he makes a direct statement about Jesus’ identity and mission, addressing early misunderstandings that would separate Jesus’ divine nature from His human suffering and death.

Meaning

“This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ” points to the whole of Jesus’ earthly ministry. The “water” is widely understood to refer to His baptism by John the Baptist, which marked the beginning of His public work. The “blood” refers to His sacrificial death on the cross, where He shed His blood as the atonement for sin. Together, water and blood span the full course of His ministry, from His baptism to His crucifixion.

John’s emphasis, “not by water only, but by water and blood,” is crucial. Jesus’ mission was not limited to baptism or moral cleansing; it reached its climax in His atoning death. The word “but” shows that both are necessary to grasp the completeness of His work. Any teaching that separates Jesus’ divine nature from His real suffering and death is therefore contrary to the apostolic witness.

“And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth” introduces the Holy Spirit as the One who confirms the truth about Jesus. The Spirit testifies that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, and the Savior of the world. Because the Spirit is truth, His witness is reliable and authoritative.

Biblical connections

This verse prepares for the threefold witness in the following verses, where the Spirit, the water, and the blood agree in testimony (1 John 5:7-8).

Application

For believers, this verse calls us to embrace the full scope of Jesus’ work—not only His teaching or example, but also His atoning death. It also invites us to rely on the Holy Spirit, who continues to bear witness to the truth of who Jesus is and what He has accomplished for our salvation.

Reflection

How often do we reduce the gospel to a moral example or a spiritual ideal? This verse reminds us that salvation rests on the historical reality of Jesus’ baptism and crucifixion, and that the Spirit’s testimony confirms this truth in our hearts.