There
came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light.
John 1:6-8
John 1 [1.] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it. There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light. The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
John 1 [10.] He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him. But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name: who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. John testified about him. He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’” From his fullness we all received grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
Meaning:
John's prologue moves from eternity into history. Having spoken of the Word through whom all things were made, and of the light that shines in the darkness (John 1:5), the Gospel suddenly introduces a man. This is John the Baptizer, not the apostle John who wrote the Gospel. His role is described in one word that runs through the whole book: witness.
- “There came a man, sent from God”
The contrast is deliberate. The Word “was” in the beginning; John “came”. The Word is eternal; John is a man with a beginning. Yet he did not appear by chance. He was “sent from God”, a phrase used of the prophets. Malachi had promised, “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me” (Malachi 3:1). The angel told his father Zacharias that John would “go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17).
The other Gospels describe this man in more detail. He preached in the wilderness, wore camel's hair and ate locusts and wild honey, and crowds from Judea and Jerusalem came to be baptized by him (Mark 1:4).
- “The same came as a witness”
A witness tells what he has seen and heard. John's whole purpose was to point away from himself to someone else. The Fourth Gospel is full of witnesses: John the Baptizer, the Samaritan woman, Jesus' works, the Scriptures, the Father himself, and finally the beloved disciple. John the Baptizer stands first in that line.
The aim of his witness was “that all might believe through him”. He was not trying to gather followers for himself but to lead people to faith in the light. Later, when some of his disciples left him to follow Jesus, he was glad (John 1:35-39). He summed up his attitude in a famous saying: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
- “He was not the light”
John stresses that the Baptizer was not the light. Some people in the first century continued to honour John long after his death, and the Gospel takes care to set him in his proper place. John himself denied being the Christ (John 1:19-28). He was like a lamp that shows where the true light is, but he was not its source. The true light “that enlightens everyone was coming into the world” (John 1:9).
Jesus held John in high honour: “among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer” (Matthew 11:11). Yet John's greatness lay precisely in his humility.
The Significance of John 1:6-8
- Every believer a witness
John the Baptizer's calling is in a sense every believer's calling. Christians are not the light; they point to Jesus who is the light. Our words and lives are meant to turn attention to him, not to ourselves.
- Sent by God
John was “sent from God”. Followers of Jesus are also sent. Jesus said to his disciples, “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you” (John 20:21). Wherever we are placed, we can see ourselves as people with a God-given message and purpose.
- Humility in service
John had crowds, disciples and fame, yet he never confused himself with the one he served. True service of God keeps the attention on Christ and is content to be forgotten so that he may be known.
Cross-References:
Malachi 3:1: “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me;” The promise of a messenger fulfilled in John.
Luke 1:17: “He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah,” The angel's description of John's mission.
John 3:30: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John's own summary of his role.
Matthew 11:11: “among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer;” Jesus' verdict on John.
Conclusion: John 1:6-8 introduces John the Baptizer as a man sent from God to be a witness to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light himself but pointed to Jesus, who is. His example teaches believers to bear faithful, humble witness to Christ.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible