John 1:4
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In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
In Him was life--essentially and originally, as the previous verses show to be the meaning. Thus He is the Living Word, or, as He is called in Jo1 1:1-2, "the Word of Life." the life . . . the light of men--All that in men which is true light--knowledge, integrity, intelligent, willing subjection to God, love to Him and to their fellow creatures, wisdom, purity, holy joy, rational happiness--all this "light of men" has its fountain in the essential original "life" of "the Word" (Jo1 1:5-7; Psa 36:9).
Open source ↗The scope and design of this chapter is to confirm our faith in Christ as the eternal Son of God, and the true Messiah and Saviour of the world, that we may be brought to receive him, and rely upon him, as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and to give up ourselves to be ruled, and taught, and saved by him. In order to this, we have here, I. An account given of him by the inspired penman himself, fairly laying down, in the beginning, what he designed his whole book should be the proof of (Joh 1:1-5); and again (Joh 1:10-14); and again, (Joh 1:16-18). II. The testimony of John Baptist concerning him (Joh 1:6-9, and Joh 1:15); but most fully and particularly (v. 19-37). III. His own manifestation of himself to Andrew and Peter (Joh 1:38-42), to Philip and Nathanael (Joh 1:43-51).
Open source ↗1:4-5 God created light and dispelled the darkness (Gen 1:2-5). The darkness resists God (John 3:19-21; 12:35; Matt 6:23; Acts 26:17-18; Eph 4:17-19; 5:7-14; 2 Pet 1:19; 1 Jn 1:5-7; 2:9-11). 1:4 The Word gave life: Life was God’s original gift to his creatures (Gen 1:20-28; 2:7). Now the logos would give these creatures the possibility of new life through rebirth (John 1:13). • As one of his first creative acts, God brought light (Gen 1:3). Now, in the re-creation of humanity through Jesus Christ, God offered light and life anew. Light is a key theme in John’s Gospel.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.
For as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted the Son to have life in Himself.
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
So it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.
the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”