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John the Baptist’s testimony to Jesus has already been mentioned in a general way in the prologue (1:6-8, 15). Now the narrative turns to his witness on two specific occasions. First he speaks negatively, about himself, and then positively, about Jesus.
John’s ministry must have attracted considerable attention (cf. Mt 3:5-6; Mk 1:5). At any rate, he was visible enough that the Jews sent official emissaries to his workplace at the fords of the Jordan east of Jericho to question him about his identity (vv.19-28). Judging from their question (v.25) and John’s denial (v.20), there seems to have been at least some speculation that John was the Christ (i.e., Messiah). He refused to be mistaken as the Christ or as either of the figures specifically mentioned, Elijah (cf. Mal 4:5-6; Mt 11:14; 17:12) or “the Prophet” (cf. Dt 18:15, 18). He was instead, he insisted, the forerunner spoken of by Isaiah (Isa 40:3), and he announced one among them far greater than himself.
Indeed, the reason for John’s ministry of baptism was to make this greater one known. This he did the very next day (vv.29-34). In imagery strongly influenced by his Jewish heritage, John called Jesus the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! He identified him as the one he had spoken of before (see 1:15, 27). He testified that he had seen the Spirit descend and remain on him and prophesied that he would baptize with the Holy Spirit.
The image of the Lamb of God has held great power for Christians through the years since John. Charles Wesley used it as the climax of his great hymn “Jesus, the Name High Over All.”
His only righteousness I show,
His saving truth proclaim;
'Tis all my business here below
To cry, “Behold the Lamb!”
Happy, if with my latest breath
I might but gasp His name;
Preach Him to all, and cry in death,
“Behold, behold the Lamb!”