John 1:9

John 1:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

Context of John 1:9

7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

John 1:9 word by word

ἦν τὸ φῶς τὸ ἀληθινὸν ὃ φωτίζει πάντα ἄνθρωπον ἐρχόμενον εἰς τὸν κόσμον.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• wasεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• the trueἀληθινόςalēthinos · trueG228
• Lightὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Lightφῶςphōs · lightG5457
• whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• lightethφωτίζωphōtizō · to illuminateG5461
• everyπᾶςpas · allG3956
• manἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
• that comethἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
• intoεἰςeis · towardG1519
• the worldκόσμοςkosmos · worldG2889

Cross-references for John 1:9

• John 1:4In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
• John 6:32Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.
• John 14:6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
• John 15:1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
• Isaiah 49:6he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
• Matthew 6:23But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
• 1 John 1:8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
• 1 John 2:8Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.
• 1 John 5:20We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
• John 1:7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.
• John 7:12Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.”
• John 12:46I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
• Isaiah 8:20Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:4But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like 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

• Holy Spirit
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• Light
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Behold
• Believe
• Blood
• Dwell
• Flesh
• Guile
• Light
• Prefer
• Receive
• Son of God

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