6There was a man sent from God — his name was John. [1:7] He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. [1:8] He was not the light, but came to testify about the light. [1:9] The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. [1:10] He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, and the world did not know him. [1:11] He came to his own, and his own did not receive him. [1:12] But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God — to those who believe in his name — [1:13] who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
JHN 1:6-13
The Witness of John
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, the concept of (witness/testimony) carried significant legal and communal weight. Testimony in a public forum, such as a court or assembly, was a solemn act, often determining truth and justice. John’s role as a witness to the Light aligns with this cultural understanding, positioning him as a credible declarer of divine truth. The term (true/genuine) would resonate with listeners familiar with philosophical and religious debates about ultimate reality, particularly in contrast to false gods or superficial claims. The idea of (enlightening) would evoke imagery of revelation and understanding, common in both Jewish and Greco-Roman thought, where light symbolized knowledge and divine presence. The phrase 'His own' would evoke familial and communal ties, emphasizing the intimate relationship between the Light and those who belong to Him. The rejection by 'His own' reflects the tension between divine revelation and human resistance, a theme familiar in Jewish prophetic literature.
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How other translations render this
JHN 1:6
- KJV
- There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
- BSB
- There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John.
- Koinōnos
- There was a man sent from God — his name was John.
JHN 1:7
- KJV
- The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
- BSB
- He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe.
- Koinōnos
- He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him.
JHN 1:8
- KJV
- He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
- BSB
- He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
- Koinōnos
- He was not the light, but came to testify about the light.
JHN 1:9
- KJV
- That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
- BSB
- The true Light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
- Koinōnos
- The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world.
JHN 1:10
- KJV
- He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
- BSB
- He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.
- Koinōnos
- He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, and the world did not know him.
JHN 1:11
- KJV
- He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
- BSB
- He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
- Koinōnos
- He came to his own, and his own did not receive him.
JHN 1:12
- KJV
- But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
- BSB
- But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—
- Koinōnos
- But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God — to those who believe in his name —
JHN 1:13
- KJV
- Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
- BSB
- children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.
- Koinōnos
- who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
JHN 1:7
- a witness:The word translated 'a witness' refers to a legal testimony or evidence given in a court of law, emphasizing the factual and verifiable nature of John's declaration.
JHN 1:9
- true:The word translated 'true' here means genuine or real, in contrast to something that is false or merely an imitation. It speaks to the authentic nature of the light.
- enlightens:The word translated 'enlightens' means to illuminate or shed light upon, often implying making something clear or understandable, not just physically bright.
JHN 1:11
- [His] own:The phrase '[His] own' emphasizes a deep, personal belonging, like one's private property or family, highlighting the intimate connection the Word had to those He came to.