American Standard Version
John 1:9
9There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world.
John 1:9 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
- New International Version (NIV)The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
- New King James Version (NKJV)That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
Context of John 1:9
7The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. 8He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light. There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not. 11He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not.
Read all of John 1John 1:9 word by word
ἦν τὸ φῶς τὸ ἀληθινὸν ὃ φωτίζει πάντα ἄνθρωπον ἐρχόμενον εἰς τὸν κόσμον.Read the interlinear
Cross-references for John 1:9
- John 1:4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
- John 6:32Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, It was not Moses that gave you the bread out of heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread out of heaven.
- John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.
- John 15:1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
- Isaiah 49:6yea, he saith, It is too light a thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
- Matthew 6:23But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is the darkness!
- 1 John 1:8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
- 1 John 2:8Again, a new commandment write I unto you, which thing is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shineth.
- 1 John 5:20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
- John 1:7The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him.
- John 7:12And there was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him: some said, He is a good man; others said, Not so, but he leadeth the multitude astray.
- John 12:46I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me may not abide in the darkness.
- Isaiah 8:20To the law and to the testimony! if they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief:
Commentaries on John 1:9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9Which lighteth every man - As Christ is the Spring and Fountain of all wisdom, so all the wisdom that is in man comes from him; the human intellect is a ray from his brightness; and reason itself springs from this Logos, the eternal reason. Some of the most eminent rabbins understand Isaiah 60:1, Rise and shine, for thy Light is come, of the Messiah who was to illuminate Israel, and who, they believe, was referred to in that word, Genesis 1:3, And God…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9That was the true Light - Not John, but the Messiah. He was not a false, uncertain, dangerous guide, but was one that was true, real, steady, and worthy of confidence. A false light is one that leads to danger or error, as a false beacon on the shores of the ocean may lead ships to quicksands or rocks; or an “ignis fatuus” to fens, and precipices, and death. A true light is one that does not deceive us, as the true beacon may guide us into port or warn us…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-14Verses 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 was in the world when he…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 6-9God sent a man named John the Baptist to announce the arrival of Jesus. He prepared people to accept Jesus as God's Son and Messiah (see 1:19–37; Luke 1:5–25, 57–80; 3:1–22). His work fulfilled what God had promised through the prophets (see Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 4:5–6).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 6-96-9. 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.Read the comment
Topics related to John 1:9
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on John 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries