Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 1:8

"He was not the light, but [came] that he might bear witness of the light." — John 1:8 (ASV)

“Witness” (GK 3456) is distinctly a Johannine word. It is especially pertinent in this gospel, which attempts to establish by adequate testimony the claims of Jesus as the Son of God . The preaching of John the Baptist was preparatory to the coming of the Christ (cf. Matthew 3:11—12; Mark 1:1–8; Mark 3:15–17). He told the crowds listening to him that he was only the forerunner of another who would confer on them the Holy Spirit and that they must repent, or change their attitude, in anticipation of meeting him. The author was careful to specify that John the Baptist was not the genuine light but that he came to attest it.