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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Joh_1:6-8
6There came a man sent from God, whose name was John 7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
Joh_1:6-8 These verses and Joh_1:15 (a parenthetical flash back) record the witness of John the Baptist to Jesus. He was the last OT prophet. It is difficult to put these verses in poetic form. There is much debate among scholars as to whether the prologue is poetry or prose.
John the Baptist was the last OT prophet (in the sense of his message and perspective). He was the forerunner predicted in Mal_3:1; Mal_4:5 (cf. Joh_1:20-25). John the Apostle may have inserted Joh_1:6-8 because of the early misunderstandings which developed around John the Baptist (cf. Luk_3:15; Act_18:25; Act_19:3). John, writing later than the other Gospel writers, saw the development of this problem.
It is interesting to note that Christ is described in imperfect tense (pre-existence) verbs, while John is described in aorist (manifested in time) and perfect tense (a historical event with lasting results) verbs (cf. Joh_1:6). Jesus has always existed.
Joh_1:7 "that all might believe through him" This is a purpose clause. John's Gospel, like all the Gospels ( a uniquely Christian genre), is an evangelistic tract. This is the wonderful offer of salvation to all who exercise faith in Christ, who is the light of the world (cf. Joh_1:12; Joh_3:16; Joh_4:42; Joh_20:31; 1Ti_2:4; Tit_2:11; 2Pe_3:9; 1Jn_2:1; 1Jn_4:14).
Joh_1:7; Joh_1:12 "believe" This verb is used 78 times in the Gospel of John, 24 times in John's letters. It is interesting that John's Gospel never uses the noun form, only the verb. Belief is not primarily an intellectual or emotional response, but basically a volitional response. This Greek term is translated by three English terms: believe, trust, and faith. It is parallel to "welcome Him" (cf. Joh_1:11), and "accept Him" (cf. Joh_1:12). Salvation is free in the grace of God and the finished work of Christ, but it must be received. Salvation is a covenant relationship with privileges and responsibilities.
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Joh_1:8 It is possible that John the Apostle, writing much later than the other Gospel writers, recognized the problem which developed among John the Baptist's followers who had not heard or accepted Jesus (cf. Act_18:25 to Act_19:7).
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