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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 1:8 He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/1-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/43_Jhn_01_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 1:8 - The Witness of John" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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he came only as a witness to the light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />He was not the Light, but <i>came</i> that he might witness concerning the Light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He was not that Light, but <i>was sent</i> to bear witness of that Light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He was not that Light, but <i>was sent</i> to bear witness of that Light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />He was not the Light, but <i>he came</i> to testify about the Light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />He was not the light, but <i>came</i> that he might bear witness of the light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He was not the Light, but <i>he came</i> to bear witness about the Light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />John was not the Light, but came to testify about the Light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />John wasn't this light. He came only to tell about the light. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />John was not the light, but he came to declare the truth about the light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He himself was not the light; he came to tell about the light. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />John was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He himself was not the light, but he came to testify about the light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He was not that Light, but was sent to bear testimony of that Light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />He was not the Light, but he existed that he might give testimony concerning the Light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />that one was not the Light, but—that he might testify about the Light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />He was not the Light, but <i>came</i> that he might witness concerning the Light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> that one was not the Light, but -- that he might testify about the Light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He was not that Light, but that he might testify for the Light.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He was not the light, but was to give testimony of the light. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />He was not the Light, but he was to offer testimony about the Light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He was not the light, but to testify concerning the light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />He was not The Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />He was not the Light; but he came to testify of the Light.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness concerning the light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />He was not the Light, but sent that he should bear testimony concerning the Light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />he was not that Light, but was sent to testify of that light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />He was not the Light, but he existed that he might give testimony concerning the Light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />He was not the Light; but he came, that he might testify concerning the Light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of the light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/1-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=42" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/1.htm">The Witness of John</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1565.htm" title="1565: ekeinos (DPro-NMS) -- That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.">He himself</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēn (V-IIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">was</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">not</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/5457.htm" title="5457: phōs (N-NNS) -- Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.">Light,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: all’ (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that."></a> <a href="/greek/3140.htm" title="3140: martyrēsē (V-ASA-3S) -- To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify.">he came to testify</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.">about</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/5457.htm" title="5457: phōtos (N-GNS) -- Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.">Light.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">9</span>The true Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/5-33.htm">John 5:33-35</a></span><br />You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. / Even though I do not accept human testimony, I say these things so that you may be saved. / John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you were willing for a season to bask in his light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-28.htm">John 3:28</a></span><br />You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-11.htm">Matthew 3:11</a></span><br />I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-15.htm">Luke 3:15-16</a></span><br />The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John could be the Christ. / John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/19-4.htm">Acts 19:4</a></span><br />Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-6.htm">John 1:6-7</a></span><br />There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. / He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-15.htm">John 1:15</a></span><br />John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-19.htm">John 1:19-23</a></span><br />And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” / He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.” / “Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-29.htm">John 1:29-34</a></span><br />The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! / This is He of whom I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ / I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-35.htm">John 1:35-37</a></span><br />The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. / When he saw Jesus walking by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” / And when the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-1.htm">Malachi 3:1</a></span><br />“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a></span><br />A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-10.htm">Matthew 11:10-11</a></span><br />This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’ / Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-2.htm">Mark 1:2-4</a></span><br />As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.” / “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” / John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-76.htm">Luke 1:76-77</a></span><br />And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, / to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.</p><p class="hdg">that light.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/1-20.htm">John 1:20</a></b></br> And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/3-28.htm">John 3:28</a></b></br> Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/19-4.htm">Acts 19:4</a></b></br> 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.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/1-7.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/nahum/2-8.htm">Existed</a> <a href="/john/1-7.htm">Light</a> <a href="/john/1-7.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/john/1-7.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/john/1-7.htm">Witness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/2-8.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/john/1-15.htm">Existed</a> <a href="/john/1-9.htm">Light</a> <a href="/john/1-15.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/john/1-15.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/john/1-15.htm">Witness</a><div class="vheading2">John 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/1-1.htm">The divinity, humanity, office, and incarnation of Jesus Christ.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/1-15.htm">The testimony of John.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/1-39.htm">The calling of Simon and Andrew, Philip and Nathanael</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>He himself was not the Light</b><br>This phrase refers to John the Baptist, emphasizing his role as a forerunner to Jesus Christ rather than the Messiah himself. In the context of first-century Judea, many were anticipating the arrival of the Messiah, and some even speculated that John might be the one. However, John consistently denied being the Christ (<a href="/john/1-20.htm">John 1:20</a>). This distinction is crucial in understanding the humility and purpose of John’s ministry. Theologically, it underscores the uniqueness of Jesus as the true Light of the world (<a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a>). The imagery of light is significant throughout Scripture, symbolizing truth, purity, and divine revelation (<a href="/isaiah/9-2.htm">Isaiah 9:2</a>, <a href="/psalms/27.htm">Psalm 27:1</a>).<p><b>but he came to testify about the Light</b><br>John’s mission was to bear witness to Jesus, preparing the way for His ministry (<a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a>, <a href="/malachi/3.htm">Malachi 3:1</a>). The concept of testimony is central in the Gospel of John, where the legal and relational aspects of bearing witness are highlighted. In a cultural context, testimony was a critical component of establishing truth, especially in Jewish legal proceedings (<a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Deuteronomy 19:15</a>). John’s testimony was not just verbal but also through his lifestyle and baptism, calling people to repentance and pointing them to Christ (<a href="/matthew/3.htm">Matthew 3:1-3</a>). This role as a witness is a model for believers, who are also called to testify to the truth of Christ in their lives (<a href="/acts/1-8.htm">Acts 1:8</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a></b><br>A pivotal figure in the New Testament, John the Baptist was a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus Christ. He is known for his role in baptizing Jesus and for his message of repentance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_light.htm">The Light</a></b><br>Refers to Jesus Christ, who is described as the true Light that gives light to every person. The Light symbolizes truth, purity, and divine revelation.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/testimony.htm">Testimony</a></b><br>The act of bearing witness. John the Baptist's mission was to testify about Jesus, pointing others to Him as the Messiah.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_our_role.htm">Understanding Our Role</a></b><br>Just as John the Baptist was not the Light but testified about it, we are called to point others to Christ, not to ourselves.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_testimony.htm">The Importance of Testimony</a></b><br>Our lives and words should bear witness to the truth of Jesus Christ, just as John the Baptist did.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_in_ministry.htm">Humility in Ministry</a></b><br>John the Baptist exemplified humility by acknowledging that he was not the Light. We should serve with the same humility, recognizing that our purpose is to glorify Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/recognizing_the_true_light.htm">Recognizing the True Light</a></b><br>In a world filled with false lights and distractions, we must discern and follow the true Light, Jesus Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_as_light_bearers.htm">Living as Light Bearers</a></b><br>As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His light in our daily lives, influencing the world around us.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_white_lies.htm">What does the Bible say about telling white lies?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_1914_key_to_jehovah's_witnesses.htm">When is it appropriate to love or hate?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_'grow_up'_conflict_with_sinfulness.htm">Ephesians 4:15–16: Does the call to “grow up in every way” into Christ conflict with passages elsewhere that emphasize human fallibility and sinfulness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_sinless_perfection_possible.htm">Can one achieve a state of sinless perfection?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">He was not that Light, but was sent.</span>--It is necessary to repeat the statement of John's position and work in an emphatic form. Now first for 400 years a great teacher had appeared in Israel. The events of his birth and life had excited the attention of the masses; his bold message, like the cry of another Elias, found its way in burning words to the slumbering hearts of men; and even from the least likely classes, from Pharisee and Sadducee, from publican and soldier, there came the heart's question, "What shall we do?" The extent of the religious revival does not impress us, because it passed into the greater which followed, but the statement of a publican living at the time is that "Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, went out to Him, and were baptized of Him in Jordan, confessing their sins" (<a href="/context/matthew/3-5.htm" title="Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,">Matthew 3:5-6</a>). But what was this power in their midst? Who could be the person uttering these more than human words? A comparison of <a href="/context/john/1-19.htm" title="And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you?">John 1:19-20</a> in this chapter with <a href="/luke/3-15.htm" title="And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;">Luke 3:15</a> shows a widespread opinion that he was at least possibly the Messiah. He himself with true greatness recognised the greater, but as in many a like case in after days, the followers had not all the leader's nobility of soul. We shall meet signs of this in <a href="/john/3-26.htm" title="And they came to John, and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with you beyond Jordan, to whom you bore witness, behold, the same baptizes, and all men come to him.">John 3:26</a>; <a href="/john/4-1.htm" title="When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,">John 4:1</a>. We find traces of it in <a href="/matthew/9-14.htm" title="Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but your disciples fast not?">Matthew 9:14</a>, &c. (see Note at this place), and even in Ephesus, as late as St. Paul's third missionary journey, we find "certain disciples" knowing nothing more than "John's baptism" (<a href="/context/acts/19-1.htm" title="And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,">Acts 19:1-6</a>). It was at Ephesus that this Gospel was written and the existence of a body of such "disciples" may have led to the full statement in this verse made by one who had himself been among the Baptist's earliest followers. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - A solemn warning is given, which forever discriminates the ministry of man from the eternal ministry of the Logos. <span class="cmt_word">He</span> (John, and with him all the prophetic, Levitical, ascetic teachers in all ages) <span class="cmt_word">was not the Light, but</span> [<span class="accented">he was</span> or <span class="accented">came</span>] <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>that he might bear witness of the Light.</span> The <span class="greek">ἵνα</span> depends upon some unexpressed verbal thought; for even in the passages where it stands alone (<a href="/john/9-3.htm">John 9:3</a>; <a href="/john/13-18.htm">John 13:18</a>; <a href="/john/14-31.htm">John 14:31</a>; <a href="/john/15-25.htm">John 15:25</a>) the reference is not obscure to some pre-existing or involved verb. The distinction here drawn between John and the Light is thought by some expositors to point to the condition of the Ephesian Church, in the neighbourhood of which there still lingered some who placed John in even a higher position than that accorded to Jesus (<a href="/acts/19-3.htm">Acts 19:3, 4</a>); but the teaching of the evangelist is far more comprehensive than this. <span class="accented">The Light</span> of men has higher source and wider range of operation than that of any prophetic man. All that he, that any seer whatsoever can do, is to bear witness to it. The prophets, from Moses to John, derived all their power, their sanction, and the corroboration of their message, from the Logos light shining through conscience and blazing through providential events and burning up the stubble of human action with unquenchable fire. The prophets are not the light of God; they are sent to bear witness to it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/1-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">He himself</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐκεῖνος</span> <span class="translit">(ekeinos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1565.htm">Strong's 1565: </a> </span><span class="str2">That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was</span><br /><span class="grk">ἦν</span> <span class="translit">(ēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not</span><br /><span class="grk">οὐκ</span> <span class="translit">(ouk)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> </span><span class="str2">No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τὸ</span> <span class="translit">(to)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Light,</span><br /><span class="grk">φῶς</span> <span class="translit">(phōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5457.htm">Strong's 5457: </a> </span><span class="str2">Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀλλ’</span> <span class="translit">(all’)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> </span><span class="str2">But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he came to testify</span><br /><span class="grk">μαρτυρήσῃ</span> <span class="translit">(martyrēsē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3140.htm">Strong's 3140: </a> </span><span class="str2">To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">about</span><br /><span class="grk">περὶ</span> <span class="translit">(peri)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4012.htm">Strong's 4012: </a> </span><span class="str2">From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(tou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Genitive Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Light.</span><br /><span class="grk">φωτός</span> <span class="translit">(phōtos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5457.htm">Strong's 5457: </a> </span><span class="str2">Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/1-8.htm">John 1:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/1-8.htm">John 1:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/1-8.htm">John 1:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/1-8.htm">John 1:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/1-8.htm">John 1:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/1-8.htm">John 1:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/1-8.htm">John 1:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/1-8.htm">John 1:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/1-8.htm">John 1:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/1-8.htm">John 1:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/1-8.htm">NT Gospels: John 1:8 He was not the light but was (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/1-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 1:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 1:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/1-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 1:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 1:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>