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Verse Takeaways
1
The One True Light
Commentators emphasize that Jesus is not just a light among many, but "the true light." This means He is the genuine, ultimate, and perfect source of divine truth, as opposed to imperfect reflections (like John the Baptist) or false guides. Scholars like Calvin and Ellicott explain that other lights are borrowed or partial, but Christ's light is the ideal reality, inherent to His own nature.
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John
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Commentaries
10
Albert Barnes
On John 1:9
18th Century
Theologian
That was the true Light. Not John, but the Messiah. He was not a false, uncertain, dangerous guide, but was one who was true, real, steady…
AT Robertson
On John 1:9
There was (ην). Imperfect indicative. Emphatic position at the beginning of the sentence and so probably not periphrastic conjugat…
Charles Ellicott
On John 1:9
19th Century
Bishop
That was the true Light.—The right rendering of this verse is uncertain. It would, probably, give a better sense to trans…
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Charles Spurgeon
On John 1:7–9
19th Century
Preacher
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear …
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On John 1:9
Christ is the real or genuine light of humanity who was about to enter the world. His function would be to give the light of truth to all whom his …
John Calvin
On John 1:9
16th Century
Theologian
The true light was. The Evangelist did not intend to contrast the true light with the false, but to distinguish Christ f…
John Gill
On John 1:9
17th Century
Pastor
That was the true light
Christ is that light, that famous and excellent light, the fountain of all light to all crea…
Matthew Henry
On John 1:6–14
17th Century
Minister
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 …