King James Version

What Does 1 John 5:6 Mean?

1 John 5:6 in the King James Version says “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 Spi... — study this verse from 1 John chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

4

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

5

Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

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.

7

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

8

And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. John emphasizes Jesus Christ's coming "by water and blood"—a difficult phrase with several interpretations. "This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ" (houtos estin ho elthōn di' hydatos kai haimatos Iēsous Christos). The aorist participle "came" indicates historical arrival—the incarnation and ministry of Jesus Christ.

"By water and blood" likely refers to Jesus's baptism (water) and crucifixion (blood), bracketing His public ministry with authentication from start to finish. Alternatively, it may reference the water and blood flowing from Christ's pierced side (John 19:34), confirming His true death. Against docetic heresy claiming the divine Christ descended at Jesus's baptism but departed before crucifixion, John insists Christ came "not by water only, but by water and blood"—the divine Christ was present through both baptism and crucifixion. The incarnation included suffering and death, not merely teaching ministry.

"And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth" (kai to pneuma estin to martyroun hoti to pneuma estin hē alētheia). The Spirit provides ongoing testimony to Christ's person and work. The Spirit descended at Christ's baptism (Matthew 3:16), empowered His ministry (Luke 4:18), and continues testifying to believers (John 15:26). The Spirit's testimony is reliable because He is truth—His nature guarantees His witness's veracity. This Trinity of witnesses (Spirit, water, blood) establishes Christ's identity conclusively.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The phrase "water and blood" likely addressed specific heresy in the Johannine community. Cerinthus taught that the divine Christ descended on Jesus at baptism (water) but departed before crucifixion, leaving mere man Jesus to die. John refutes this—Jesus Christ came by both water and blood, remaining fully God and fully man throughout His earthly ministry, death, and resurrection.

The Spirit's testimony was central to early Christian proclamation. At Pentecost, the Spirit's coming authenticated the apostles' witness (Acts 2). The Spirit continues testifying by convicting of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11), illuminating Scripture, and producing fruit in believers' lives. Against claims requiring additional revelation or tradition, Protestants emphasized the Spirit's internal testimony authenticating Scripture's truth.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's coming by both water (baptism) and blood (crucifixion) refute false teaching that denies His full humanity or atoning death?
  2. What role does the Holy Spirit play in your understanding of and confidence in Jesus Christ's identity and saving work?
  3. Why is it important that Christ remained fully God and fully man through both His ministry and His death on the cross?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 35 words
Οὗτός1 of 35

This

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

ἐστιν2 of 35

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

3 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐλθὼν4 of 35

he that came

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

δι'5 of 35

by

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

ὕδατι6 of 35

water

G5204

water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively

καὶ7 of 35

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

αἵματι·8 of 35

blood

G129

blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k

Ἰησοῦς9 of 35

even Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

10 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Χριστός11 of 35

Christ

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

οὐκ12 of 35

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐν13 of 35

by

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ14 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὕδατι15 of 35

water

G5204

water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively

μόνον16 of 35

only

G3440

merely

ἀλλ'17 of 35

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἐν18 of 35

by

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ19 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὕδατι20 of 35

water

G5204

water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively

καὶ21 of 35

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῷ22 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

αἵματι·23 of 35

blood

G129

blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k

καὶ24 of 35

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὸ25 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πνεῦμά26 of 35

the Spirit

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

ἐστιν27 of 35

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

τὸ28 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαρτυροῦν29 of 35

that beareth witness

G3140

to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)

ὅτι30 of 35

because

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

τὸ31 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πνεῦμά32 of 35

the Spirit

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

ἐστιν33 of 35

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

34 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀλήθεια35 of 35

truth

G225

truth


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 John 5:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 John 5:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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