John 1:30-33 - I myself did not know Him

1:30,31

This verse relates back to 1:15. Jesus is superior to John because of his pre-existence, though in terms of earthly ministry John the Baptist was first, in eternal terms Jesus was well before John! Jesus surpasses Joh because “He was before [John]”. “I myself did not know Him”. Prior to this point John did not know who the coming One was, he only knew that he had to proclaim His coming and prepare the way (by getting people to repent and be baptised). None of the prophets in the Old Testament fully knew what they were proclaiming (1 Pet 1:10-12). 

1:32,33

John’s gospel does not relate the baptism of Jesus, but he was clearly aware of it (Matt 3:16; Mark 1:10; Lk 3:22)! He saw the Spirit come down upon Jesus as a dove and remain on Him. John the Baptist reiterates that he did not know Jesus. What he is saying is that John did not decide for himself that Jesus is the Christ, but God the Father supplied the evidence.  John had been told that the one on whom he sees the Spirit descend is the One he is witnessing to.