Charles Ellicott Commentary John 5:35

"He was the lamp that burneth and shineth; and ye were willing to rejoice for a season in his light." — John 5:35 (ASV)

He was a burning and a shining light.—Better, He was the lamp that is lighted and (then) gives light. The statement of the Prologue, “He was not the Light, but came to bear witness of the Light” (John 1:8), shows how important this change is. The word rendered “light” occurs again in Matthew 5:15; Matthew 6:22; Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16; Luke 11:33–34; Luke 11:36; Luke 12:35; Luke 15:8; 2 Peter 1:19; Revelation 18:23; Revelation 21:23; Revelation 22:5.

The reader who will take the trouble to compare these passages will see clearly the difference in the Greek words. It should be lamp in all these instances. The article in “the lamp” is to be explained from a reference to the one lamp of every home. (Compare Notes on Matthew 5:15 and Mark 4:21.) The term was in common use to denote a distinguished hero or teacher. The Rabbis were often called “Lamps of the Law,” and David was “The Lamp of Israel” (2 Samuel 21:17). Compare the remarkable parallel spoken of the Baptist’s great prototype, “Then stood up Elias the prophet, as fire, and his word was kindled like a lamp” . Others explain the words here of the promised lamp which was to appear, or of the torchbearer who lights the bridegroom’s path.

You were willing . . .—John’s work came to them as light in darkness. It attracted them. They went to it. They were willing to find a source of joy in it. They sent to ask him questions, but they did not heed his answers. But the light came to them not to amuse them, but to lead them. He gave light because he had been kindled at the Source of all Light. He came to bear witness to them of the true Light, from which his was derived. (Compare Note on John 1:23.)

Their action with regard to John was part of the negatively evil, unreal character condemned in John 3:20. They professed to be men, and teachers of other men; but when speaking of this John, our Lord found a likeness of their generation in the changing moods of little children playing in the marketplace (Matthew 11:16).