1 John 5:8

the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and these three are in agreement.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The apostle John writes to believers, concluding a unit on divine witness by pointing to the Spirit, water, and blood as the unified sources testifying about Jesus Christ. (1 John 5:7-9)

The words — The supplied Greek supplies τρεῖς (treis, three) and μαρτυροῦντες (marturountes, bearing testimony) to mark the numerical unity and active witnessing function of the three elements. (1 John 5:8)

The thread — This triad of witness connects to the Spirit, water, and blood motif in 1 John 5:6, the Spirit of truth proceeding from the Father in John 15:26, and the symbolic water of baptism in 1 Peter 3:21. (1 John 5:6; John 15:26; 1 Peter 3:21)

Why it lands — The text states that the Spirit, water, and blood agree as a single witness, requiring the reader to evaluate God's testimony about His Son against any competing human claims. (1 John 5:9)

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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

Cross-references

1 John 5:6 This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ—not by water alone, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies to this, because the Spirit is the truth.
John 15:26 When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me.
1 Peter 3:21 And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Acts 2:2 Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
2 Corinthians 1:22 placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come.
Matthew 26:26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.”
Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Mark 14:56 For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent.
Hebrews 6:4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,