There was = There arose. Not the same word as in Joh_1:1.
sent. Compare Mal_3:1. Greek apostello (App-174.), whence we have our "Apostle" = one sent. John not only came, but was "sent".
from = from beside. Greek para.App-104. Not "by", but from. Compare Joh_15:26.
God. No Art. Compare Joh_1:1. App-98.
John: i.e. John the Baptist; the John of the narrative, not of the Gospel. Occurs twenty times, and is never distinguished by the title "Baptist", as in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.