john-1:1-5,-john-1:6-9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 1:4

In him was life - The evangelist had just affirmed John 5:3 that by the λόγος Logos or “Word” the world was originally created. One part of that creation consisted “in breathing into man the breath of life,” Genesis 2:7. God is declared to be “life,” or the “living” God, because he is the source or fountain of life. This attribute is here ascribed to Jesus Christ. He not merely made the material worlds, but he also gave “life.” He was the agent by which the vegetable world became animated; by... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 1:5

The light shineth in darkness - Darkness, in the Bible, commonly denotes ignorance, guilt, or misery. See Isaiah 9:1-2; Matthew 4:16; Acts 26:18; Ephesians 5:8, Ephesians 5:11; Romans 13:12. It refers here to a wicked and ignorant people. When it is said that “the light shineth in darkness,” it is meant that the Lord Jesus came to teach an ignorant, benighted, and wicked world. This has always been the case. It was so when he sent his prophets; so during his own ministry; and so in every age... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 1:1-2

John 1:1-2. In the beginning Namely, of the creation, (for the evangelist evidently refers to the first word of the book of Genesis, בראשׁית , bereshith, rendered by the LXX. εν αρχη , the expression here used,) was the Word That is, The Word existed at the beginning of the creation, and consequently from eternity. He was when all things began to be; whatsoever had a beginning. And the Word was with God Namely, before any created being had existed. This is probably spoken in... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 1:3

John 1:3 . All things were made by him All creatures, whether in heaven or on earth, the whole universe, and every being contained therein, animate or inanimate, intelligent or unintelligent. The Father spoke every thing into being by him, his Eternal Word. Thus, Psalms 33:6, By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, &c. This, however, is not the only reason why the Son of God is termed the Word. “He is not only called so, because God at first created and still governs all... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 1:4-5

John 1:4-5. In him Or, through him, as Beza understands it; was life He was the living and powerful Word, which was the source of life to every living creature, as well as of being to all that exists. And the life was the light of men He, who is essential life, and the author of life to all that live, was also the fountain of wisdom, holiness, and happiness to man in his original state. And the light shineth in darkness Namely, in the darkness, or amid the ignorance and folly,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 1:1-18

JESUS BEGINS HIS MINISTRY14. The eternal Word (John 1:1-18)To Israelites of Old Testament times, God’s word was more than something merely written down or spoken out. It was something active, so that when God expressed his will, that will was carried out. God spoke, and it was done (Genesis 1:3; Psalms 33:9; Isaiah 55:10-11). By his active word, God created the universe (Genesis 1:6,Genesis 1:9,Genesis 1:14; Psalms 33:6). God’s word had such life and power that people thought of it almost as if... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 1:1

In the beginning. Greek. en ( App-104 .) arche. Occurs four times in the N.T. (Compare Genesis 1:1 ). The context will always supply the dependent word (where it is not expressed). Here, and in John 1:2 , supply "[of the aions = ages "]; for the Logos then "was", and the aims were prepared by Him (Hebrews 1:2 ; Hebrews 11:3 ). In Acts 11:15 supply "[of our ministry" (John 2:4 )]. In Philippians 4:15 supply "[the proclamation of] the Gospel". For the combination of arche, with other... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 1:2

The same = This [Word], or He. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 1:3

All things. Referring to the infinite detail of creation. ' were made = came into being. Not the same word as in John 1:1 . by = through. Greek. dia. App-104 .John 1:1 . As in Romans 11:36 . Colossians 1:16 . Hebrews 1:2 . and without , &c. Note the Figure of speech Pleonasm. App-6 . without = apart from. was = came into being. Not the same word as in John 1:1 . not any thing = not even one thing. Greek oude, compound of ou. App-105 . was made = hath come into being. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 1:4

life . Greek. zoe. App-170 .: i.e. the fountain of life. Hence 1Jn 5:11 , 1 John 5:12 , and Psalms 36:8 , manifested (John 1:4 ); obtained (John 3:16 ); possessed (John 4:14 ); sustained (John 6:35 ); ministered (John 7:38 ); abounding (John 10:10 ); resurrection (John 11:24 , John 11:25 ). A characteristic word of this Gospel. See note on p. 1511. the light. Not a light. Compare John 8:12 . Greek phos. App-130 . A characteristic word of this Gospel. See note on p. 1511. men . Greek.... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 1:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 1:5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 1:1-2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 1:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 1:4-5

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 1:1-18

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 1:1

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 1:2

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 1:3

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 1:4

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