1 John 5:6 6This one is the who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water only but in the water and the blood; and the Spirit is the witness, because the Spirit is the truth.
This verse clarifies one of the letter’s central ideas and provides further insight into Jesus’ identity. John has emphasized Jesus as the incarnated Son of God. The meaning of this verse has been much debated, particularly what is meant by water and blood. The two words, water and blood, occur also when Jesus was crucified and the soldiers pierced his side, mentioned in John 19:34. The mention of these two words could be simply historical about how Jesus had already died, and the soldiers possibly pierced his bladder or vital organs. However, John often includes details like this in his writings that have symbolic meaning.
Of the many options, what seems more plausible is that these words refer to Jesus’ baptism and death on the cross. These two share the common idea of Jesus’ identification with sinners. Through baptism, Jesus took on the ministry of reconciliation, of bringing God and people together in a relationship. Jesus’ baptism was also a commissioning into the ministry of revelation of God’s love. As the one who reveals God’s love, Jesus is the one who also brings broken humanity back to God. What Jesus began with baptism was completed in his crucifixion. His incarnation and identification with sinful humanity was complete when he suffered and died for all. Jesus’ sacrificial death confirms his baptism.
The Holy Spirit witnesses to the power of Jesus’ incarnation and redemption. When Jesus got out of the water, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove upon him. This should not be interpreted to mean that Jesus never had the Spirit before this, since he was born by the Spirit, and there was never a time when he was not filled with the Spirit. His anointing by the Spirit at baptism confirmed his mission and guided him in his ministry. The Holy Spirit also confirms to believers that the death of Jesus brings salvation. The Holy Spirit brings new life and adoption as God’s children. The Spirit is the witness of the truth of Jesus and confirms to those who believe that the message of salvation through Jesus is the truth. There are many claims of truth in this world. Some people even doubt that anything is ultimately true. The Bible never deviates from the claim that the truth is found in Jesus. To accept this requires faith.