Matthew Henry Commentary John 1:6-14

"There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but [came] that he might bear witness of the light. There was the true light, [even the light] which lighteth every man, coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth." — John 1:6-14 (ASV)

John the Baptist came to bear witness concerning Jesus. Nothing more fully shows the darkness of human minds than the fact that when the Light had appeared, a witness was needed to call attention to it. Christ was the true Light; that great Light which deserves to be called so. By his Spirit and grace he enlightens all who are enlightened to salvation; and those who are not enlightened by him, perish in darkness. Christ was in the world when he took our nature upon him, and dwelt among us.

The Son of the Highest was here in this lower world. He was in the world, but not of it. He came to save a lost world, because it was a world of his own making. Yet the world did not know him. When he comes as a Judge, the world shall know him. Many say that they are Christ's own, yet do not receive him, because they will not part with their sins, nor have him reign over them.

All the children of God are born again. This new birth is through the word of God as the means (1 Peter 1:23), and by the Spirit of God as the Author. By his Divine presence Christ always was in the world. But now that the fullness of time had come, he was, in another manner, God manifested in the flesh. But observe the beams of his Divine glory, which darted through this veil of flesh.

People discover their weaknesses to those most familiar with them, but it was not so with Christ; those most intimate with him saw most of his glory. Although he was in the form of a servant, regarding outward circumstances, yet, regarding graces, his form was like the Son of God. His Divine glory appeared in the holiness of his doctrine, and in his miracles. He was full of grace, fully acceptable to his Father, therefore qualified to plead for us; and full of truth, fully aware of the things he was to reveal.