Bible Study series: John 1:6-8. We learn about John the Baptist from the point of view of the Fourth Gospel.

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John 1

At that link, I provide a little more commentary.

In this post, links are provided for further study.

Let’s begin.

Scripture: John 1:6-8

⁶ A man appeared, sent from God; his name was John. ⁷ He came to be a witness, so that he may testify about the light, so that everyone may believe through him. ⁸ This man was not the light, but he testified about the light.

Commentary

6:

John is introduced. In the fourth Gospel, he is never called “Baptist” as such, but he does baptize, so his ministry is clear. A man has to know who he is and who he is not. John “merely” offered a testimony about Jesus, the light, with the purpose that people may believe in Jesus. Yes, John was sent from God, but his specific role was found in his testimony and baptizing and proclaiming. John will repeat the purpose testifying in v. 30.

7-8:

“through him”: who is the “him”? Commentators say people believe through John’s preaching, so the word is sufficient to spark faith in an openhearted listener.

John will be called a lamp that burns and shines (5:35), but he is not the light (Mounce, comment on v. 8).

Klink writes:

The theme of witness, here introduced, pervades the whole Gospel. The witness to the truth of God’s self-revelation in the Word is manifold: it comprises the witness of the Father (5:32, 37; 8:18), of the Son 8:14, 18), of the Spirit (15:26); the witness of the works of Christ (5:36; 10:25), the witness of the scriptures (5:39), the witness of the disciples (15:27), including the disciple whom Jesus loved (19:35; 21:24). The purpose of this manifold witness, as of John’s witness, is ‘that all might believe’: it is the purpose for which the Gospel itself was written (20:31)” (Bruce, comment on 1:6-8). The terms “witness” or “testimony” carries a legal meaning “of testifying or bearing witness to the true state of affairs by one who has sufficient knowledge or superior position. (Klink, comment on 1:7)

Morris says there are seven who bear witness to Jesus. (1) Each of the three persons of the Trinity: Father (5:31-32, 34, 37; 8:18); (2) Christ himself (8:14, 18; see 3:11, 32; 8:37); (3) and the Spirit (15:26; 16:14); (4) the works of Jesus bear witness (5:36; 10:25; see 14:11; 15:24); (5) Scripture (5:39; 5:45-46); (6) John the Baptist; (7) the disciples (15:27; see 19:35; 21:24).

To conclude …..

The light symbolizes the truth, which is a major theme in John’s Gospel. The light contrasts with darkness, which means falsehoods and lies. Watch out for lies that creep into your mind. Refute them with the light of Scripture.

GrowApp for John 1:6-8

A.. John came with a purpose—to testify about Jesus. What is your purpose? Are you living it now?

RELATED

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12. Eyewitness Testimony in John’s Gospel

4. Church Fathers and John’s Gospel

3. Archaeology and John’s Gospel

SOURCES

For the bibliography, click on this link and scroll down to the very bottom:

John 1