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. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. (1 John 5:6-9 KJV)
Testimony Concerning the Son of God
The faith of the Christian believer, being mighty and victorious, must be well-grounded, supported by unquestionable divine evidence concerning the mission, authority, and office of the Lord Jesus. And it is: he brings with him his credentials, both in the way he came and in the witness that attends him.
He came not only into the world but acted as a Savior in the world: “This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood” (1 John 5:6). Jesus Christ came with water and blood as marks of the true, effectual Savior and also as the means by which he saves us.
We are both inwardly and outwardly defiled. Inwardly, we are corrupted by sin, and we need spiritual cleansing that reaches the soul. Christ offers this through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This was shown when he washed his disciples’ feet and told Peter, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (John 13:8). Outwardly, we are guilty and condemned by sin. We are separated from God and need to be cleansed by atoning blood, for “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). A Savior must therefore come with blood.
These two forms of cleansing—water and blood—were symbolized in the Old Testament’s ceremonial laws. People and objects were purified by both. There were various washings and ordinances until the time of reformation (Hebrews 9:10). The ashes of a heifer mixed with water purified the unclean (Hebrews 9:13; Numbers 19:9), and almost everything was cleansed with blood according to the law (Hebrews 9:22). These pointed to both our need for cleansing and the twofold means of it in Christ.
When Jesus died, a soldier pierced his side, and out flowed water and blood (John 19:34-35). The apostle John, who saw it, bore witness to it, convinced that this sign carried spiritual significance. This water and blood symbolize all that is necessary for our salvation. The water purifies us for heaven; the blood satisfies God’s justice, glorifies him, and brings reconciliation. “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness… so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:25-26). Through Christ’s blood we are justified and sanctified. “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law… so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit” (Galatians 3:13–14).
Water and blood flowing from Christ’s side encompass everything needed for salvation. “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word” (Ephesians 5:25-27). Jesus Christ, who came by water and blood, is the complete Savior.
We also have a witness to him: the divine Spirit. “It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth” (1 John 5:6). It was fitting that Christ, sent to save the world, should have a divine witness supporting him. The Spirit’s presence testifies to Christ’s work and authority, just as Jesus foretold: “He will glorify me… He will take from what is mine and make it known to you” (John 16:14). The Spirit, being truth, gives trustworthy testimony.
The Spirit is a heavenly witness. “There are three that bear record in heaven—the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one” (1 John 5:7). This verse supports the Spirit’s authenticity as a divine witness. The Father, the Word (Christ), and the Spirit testify from heaven. They are not just united in testimony but in essence—they are one God.
Though some debate the authenticity of 1 John 5:7, several reasons support its inclusion. Without it, verse 8 would seem repetitive, simply restating what verse 6 has already established. Furthermore, many manuscripts include the phrase “upon the earth,” suggesting an intentional contrast with heavenly witnesses. The wording and style are consistent with John’s theology. He frequently uses the titles “the Father” and “the Word” and alone records the water and blood flowing from Jesus’ side and the Spirit’s testimony to Christ (John 14:16-17,26; 15:26; 16:7-15).
It is more likely a copyist accidentally omitted the verse than that a forger inserted it, given its doctrinal weight and internal coherence. The doctrine of the Trinity fits naturally into this passage, which lays the foundation of Christian faith. Even apart from the Trinitarian implications, the verse powerfully summarizes the testimony affirming Jesus’ divine mission.
Having established the heavenly witnesses, the apostle adds: “There are three that bear witness on earth—the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree in one” (1 John 5:8).
The Spirit here refers not to the divine person, but to his influence and work in believers. “That which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). The regenerate soul testifies to Christ’s saving power. Through regeneration and sanctification, the Spirit continually affirms Christ’s work. The church’s transformation and holiness bear witness to him.
The water represents Christ’s purity and cleansing power. It includes the purity of his nature, John the Baptist’s testimony at his baptism (Mark 1:4,7-8), the cleansing nature of his doctrine (John 15:3), the holiness of his followers (1 Peter 1:22), and baptism as a public testimony of discipleship (1 Peter 3:21).
The blood represents the atoning death of Christ. It finalized the Old Testament sacrifices, confirmed his teachings (John 18:37), demonstrated his love for God (John 14:30–31), and revealed his love for us (John 14:13-15). It proved his disinterest in worldly gain and laid a foundation for his followers’ willingness to suffer. “Let us go to him outside the camp, bearing his disgrace” (Hebrews 13:13). The benefits of Christ’s blood—justification, reconciliation, and eternal life—confirm his identity as the Savior of the world, sealed in the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:28).
These three witnesses—Spirit, water, and blood—are united in purpose. They testify on earth to the same truth affirmed in heaven.
The apostle concludes, “If we accept human testimony, God’s testimony is greater; for it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son” (1 John 5:9).
God’s testimony is superior in authority and certainty. If human courts rely on witness testimony, how much more should we receive the witness of God, who cannot lie? This testimony includes that of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God has testified that Jesus is his Son—his appointed, divine, redeeming Son—and Christianity is the true way of reconciliation with God.