8th January 2022 – John 1:9

The modern renderings of this verse differ from that of the AV, and the difference depends on whether the phrase 'cometh into the world' refers to 'every man' or to 'the light'. The RSV and the NEB take it with 'the light'. This seems almost preferable to the AV, although not a great deal of difference in the general meaning results. But it serves to link John's thought here to what he has said in 8. John was not the true Light, but only a witness to it: 'the real light, which enlightens every man, was even then coming into the world' (NEB). This is similar to the thought expressed in John's words in Mark 1:7, 'There cometh one mightier than I after me....', that is, the coming of Christ in His incarnation was the culmination, so to speak of the witness that had been borne to Him down the ages. As Westcott says, 'The mission of John was one and definite; but all along up to his time the Light of which he came to witness continued to shine, being revealed in many parts and in many ways.... (John's) words declare that men were not left alone to interpret the manifestations of the Light in the Life around them and in them. The Light from whom that Life flows made Himself known more directly. From the first He was (so to speak) on His way to the world, advancing towards the Incarnation by preparatory revelations. He came in type and prophecy and judgment.' As to the 'light that lighteth every man', Calvin says, 'Men have this peculiar excellence which raises them above other animals, that they are endued with reason and intelligence, and that they carry the distinction between right and wrong engraven on their conscience. There is no man, therefore, whom some perception of the eternal light does not reach'.