John Trapp on John 1:31-36

Verſe 31. And I knew him not.] By face not at all; left the people ſhould think, that this was done and ſaid by conſent, or compact afore-hand betwixt them. Nor did John ever know Chriſt ſo fully, till now: his former knowledge was but ignorance, in compariſon; none are too good to learn. The very Angels know not ſo much of Chriſt, 1 Pet. 1.12. but they would know more, Epheſ. 3.10. and therefore looke intently into the myſterie of Chriſt, as the Cherubims did into the Arke.

But that he ſhould be manifested,] Miniſters muſt hold up the tapeſtry, as it were, and ſhew men Chriſt. They are the mouth of the holy Ghoſt; whoſe office it is to take of Chriſts excellencies, and hold them out to the world, John 16.14.