John 1:7
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
John 1:7 in other translations
| BSB | He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. |
|---|---|
| WEB | The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him. |
| ASV | The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. |
| YLT | this one came for testimony, that he might testify about the Light, that all might believe through him; |
| DARBY | He came for witness, that he might witness concerning the light, that all might believe through him. |
| BBE | He came for witness, to give witness about the light, so that all men might have faith through him. |
| Webster | The same came for a witness, to bear testimony of the Light, that all men through him might believe. |
What does John 1:7 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 1:6-9
6-9. The Evangelist here approaches his grand thesis, so paving his way for the full statement of it in Joh 1:14, that we may be able to bear the bright light of it, and take in its length and breadth and depth and height.
Barnes' Notes
Of the Light. That is, of the Messiah. Comp. Isa 60:1.
That all men, &c. It was the object of John's testimony that all men might believe. He designed to prepare them for it; to announce that the Messiah was about to come, to direct the minds of men to him, and thus to fit them to believe on him when he came. Thus he baptized them, saying "That they should believe on him who should come after him" (Acts 19:4), and thus he produced a very general expectation that the Messiah was about to come. The testimony of John was peculiarly valuable on the following accounts:
1st. It was made when he had no personal acquaintance with Jesus of Nazareth, and of course there could have been no collusion or agreement to deceive them, Jn 1:31.
2nd. It was sufficiently long before he came to excite general attention, and to fix the mind on it.
3rd. It was that of a man acknowledged by all to be a prophet of God--"for all men held John to be a prophet," Mt 21:26.
4th. It was for the express purpose of declaring beforehand that he was about to appear.
5th. It was disinterested. He was himself extremely popular. Many were disposed to receive him as the Messiah. It was evidently in his power to form a large party, and to be regarded extensively as the Christ. This was the highest honour to which a Jew could aspire; and it shows the value of John's testimony, that he was willing to lay all his honours at the feet of Jesus, and to acknowledge that he was unworthy to perform for him the office of the humblest servant, Mt 3:11.
Through him. Through John, or by means of his testimony.
Was not that Light. Was not the Messiah. This is an explicit declaration designed to satisfy the disciples of John. The evidence that he was not the Messiah he states in the following verses.
From the conduct of John here we may learn,
1st. The duty of laying all our honours at the feet of Jesus.
2nd. As John came that all might believe, so it is no less true of the ministry of Jesus himself. He came for a similar purpose, and we may ALL, therefore, trust in him for salvation.
3rd. We should not rely too much on ministers of the gospel. They cannot save us any more than John could; and their office, as his was, is simply to direct men to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on John 1:6-14
John the Baptist came to bear witness concerning Jesus. Nothing more fully shows the darkness of men's minds, than that when the Light had appeared, there needed a witness to call attention to it. Christ was the true Light; that great Light which deserves to be called so. By his Spirit and grace he enlightens all that are enlightened to salvation; and those that are not enlightened by him, perish in darkness. Christ…
John 1:7 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for John 1:7
- Acts 19:4
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
- John 5:33-35
Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
- John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
- John 1:32-34
And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
- John 1:36
And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
- John 1:9
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
- John 1:26-27
John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
- 2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
- John 3:26-36
And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. …
- Titus 2:11
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
- John 1:15
John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
- 1 Timothy 2:4
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- John 1:6
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
- John 1:7
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
- John 1:8
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
John 1:7 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Este vino por testimonio, para que diese testimonio de la luz, para que todos creyesen por él. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Celui-ci vint pour rendre témoignage, pour rendre témoignage de la lumière, afin que tous croient par lui. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Dieser kam zum Zeugnis, auf daß er zeugte von dem Lichte, damit alle durch ihn glaubten. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Hic venit in testimonium ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine, ut omnes crederent per illum. |