• John 1:32
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 32 Καὶ And ἐμαρτύρησεν witnessed Ἰωάνης John λέγων saying ὅτι that Τεθέαμαι I have viewed τὸ the πνεῦμα spirit καταβαῖνον descending ὡς as περιστερὰν dove ἐξ out of οὐρανοῦ, heaven, καὶ and ἔμεινεν it remained ἐπ’ upon αὐτόν· him;

  • John Study Notes—Chapter 1
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 1:32

      as a dove: Doves had both a sacred use and a symbolic meaning. They were offered as sacrifices (Mr 11:15; Joh 2:14-16), and they symbolized innocence and purity (Mt 10:16). A dove released by Noah brought an olive leaf back to the ark, indicating that the floodwaters were receding (Ge 8:11) and that a time of rest and peace was at hand (Ge 5:29). Thus, at Jesus’ baptism, Jehovah may have used the representation of a dove to call attention to the role of Jesus as the Messiah​—he is the pure and sinless Son of God who would sacrifice his life for mankind and lay the basis for a period of rest and peace during his rule as King. The way that God’s holy spirit, or active force, came down upon Jesus at his baptism may have looked like the fluttering of a dove as it nears its perch.