Bible Commentary

Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 13. S. John denies thrice most emphatically that human generation has anything to do with Divine regeneration. Man cannot become a child of God in right of human parentage: descent from Abraham confers … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 1:13”

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: 12. received ] Not the same Greek word as before: this denotes the spontaneous acceptance of the Messiah by individuals, whether Jews or Gentiles. He was not specially offered to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 1:12”

He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 11. unto his own ] In the Greek the first ‘own’ is neuter, the second is masculine, and this difference should be preserved: He came unto His own inheritance; and His own people received Him not (see on Joh 6:37). In the parable of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 1:11”

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 10. and the world ] Note three points; (1) the close connexion obtained by repetition, as in Joh 1:4-5; (2) the tragic tone, as in Joh 1:5; (3) the climax. ‘He was in the world’ (therefore the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 1:10”

[That] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 9. That was, &c.] This verse is ambiguous in the Greek. Most of the Ancient Versions, Fathers, and Reformers agree with our translators. Many modern commentators translate the true Light, which lighteth every man, was coming into the world: but ‘was’ … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 1:9”

He was not that Light, but [was sent] to bear witness of that Light. 8. not that Light ] Better, not the Light. The Baptist was not the Light, but ‘the lamp that is lighted and shineth’ (see on Joh 5:35). He was lumen illuminatum, not lumen illuminans. At the close of the first century … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 1:8”

The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all [men] through him might believe. 7. for a witness ] Better, for witness, i.e. to bear witness, not to be a witness: what follows shews the meaning. The word ‘witness’ and ‘to bear witness’ are very frequent in S. John’s writings, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 1:7”

There was a man sent from God, whose name [was] John. 6 13. The Word revealed to Men and rejected by them 6. There was a man ] Rather, There arose a man, in contrast to the ‘was’ in Joh 1:1. The word was from all eternity; John arose, came into existence, in time. Comp. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 1:6”

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 5. shineth ] Note the present tense; the only one in the section. It brings us down to the Apostle’s own day: now, as of old, the Light shines in reason, in creation, in conscience, and shines in vain. Note also the progress: … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 1:5”

In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 4. In him was life ] He was the well-spring from which every form of life physical, intellectual, moral, spiritual, eternal flows. See on Joh 5:26. Observe how frequently S. John’s thoughts overlap and run into one another. Creation leads on to life, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 1:4”