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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - John 1:6 - 1:6
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
There was a man (ἐγένετο ἄνθρωπος)
Better, Rev., “there came a man,” ἐγένετο denoting the historical manifestation, the emergence of the Baptist into the economy of the revelation of the light. Compare Joh 3:1, there was a man (ἦν ἄνθρωπος), where the mere fact that there was such a man as Nicodemus is stated. See remarks on ἦν, Joh 1:1. A distinction is also intimated between the eternal being (ἦν) of the Word and the coming into being of his messenger.
Sent (ἀπεσταλμένος)
See on Mat 10:2, Mat 10:16; see on Mar 4:29; see on Luk 4:18. The verb carries the sense of sending an envoy with a special commission. Hence it is used of the mission of the Son of God, and of His apostles; the word apostle being directly derived from it. It is thus distinguished from πέμπω, to send, which denotes simply the relation of the sender to the sent. See on Joh 20:21, and see on 1Jo 3:5. The statement is not merely equivalent to was sent. The finite verb and the participle are to be taken separately, as stating two distinct facts, the appearance and the mission of John. There came a man, and that man was sent from God.
From God (παρὰ Θεοῦ)
The preposition means from beside. It invests the messenger with more dignity and significance than if the writer had said, “sent by God.” It is used of the Holy Spirit, sent from the Father (Joh 15:26).
Whose name was John (ὄνομα αὐτῷ Ἱωάνης)
Literally, the name unto him John. The first mention of John the Baptist. The last occurs, Act 19:3. On the name, see on Mat 3:1; see on Luk 3:2. John never speaks of the Baptist as John the Baptist, like the other Evangelists, but simply as John. This is perfectly natural on the supposition that John himself is the author of the gospel, and is the other John of the narrative.