The answer is: Behold the Lamb of God!

John 1:36

When John the Baptist saw Jesus approaching, his emphatic declaration, "Behold the Lamb of God!" carries profound significance, drawing connections to both Jewish tradition and prophetic fulfilment. For those familiar with the Passover, this phrase takes on exciting contexts. The Passover lamb, sacrificed to save the Israelites, connects deeply with the notion of Jesus' purpose in coming to humanity—serving as a sacrificial offering for all.

“Lamb” also evokes the imagery found in Isaiah 53, which speaks about a suffering servant who carries the sins of many, presenting a striking anticipation of Jesus' mission. John's call to "Behold" isn't just a visual prompt; it’s an invitation for his followers to recognize Jesus for who he truly is—someone meant to change the course of history.

Here's a little fun fact: the very term "Lamb of God" only appears prominently in the Gospel of John, highlighting the uniqueness of this portrayal among the Gospels—creating a bridge to a distinctively deeper theological interpretation.

By expressing awareness and acknowledgment, John ignites in his followers a journey of discovery regarding Jesus' identity. Later, John helps clarify for later readers how these assertions reflect a broader understanding of Jesus, not just the Messiah for the Jewish people but a figure for the broader world. It places Jesus within theological discourse of love, sacrifice, and redemption, all intertwined beautifully through John's ministry and into the narrative arc of the New Testament.