John 1:4

He is the one who caused everything to live. He, who caused us people to live, revealed to us the truth about God as a light [MET] reveals what is in the darkness.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

In Context

3He is the one by whom God caused everything to exist. He is the one who created absolutely everything [LIT].

5People do not want him to reveal that what they do is evil [MET], just like darkness is evil. But just like darkness cannot put out light [MET], evil people have never prevented the one who was like a light from revealing God’s truth (OR, evil people have never understood the one who was like a light.)

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Cross References

Psalms 60:1I prayed, “God, you have rejected us Israelis! Because you have been angry with us, you have enabled our enemies to break through our ranks. Please enable us to be strong again!

Isaiah 35:4Say to those who are afraid, “Be strong and do not be afraid, because our God is going to come to get revenge on his enemies; he will ◄pay them back/punish them► for what they have done, and he will rescue you.”

Isaiah 42:16My people who have been taken to Babylonia are like [MET] blind people, but I will lead them along a road on which they have not walked before, on a road that they have not seen before. They have felt very helpless, as though they were walking in the darkness, but I will take away that darkness and I will make smooth the road that is in front of them. Those are the things that I will do for them; I will not abandon them.

Matthew 4:16Although the people there will be like people who sit in a dark place [MET], they will suddenly perceive clearly a new teaching, as people who have seen a big light shining on them [MET] perceive everything clearly. The people who are located in a dangerous [MET] region will suddenly perceive clearly what God teaches, as people on whom a light shines perceive things clearly [MET, DOU].

John 5:21For example, just like my Father causes people who have died to become alive again, I will give eternal life to everyone that I want to.

Matthew Henry on John 1:2-6

John It is not material to enquire when and where this gospel was written; we are sure that it was given by inspiration of God to John, the brother of James, one of the twelve apostles, distinguished by the honourable character of that disciple whom Jesus loved, one of the first three of the worthies of the Son of David, whom he took to be the witnesses of his retirements, particularly of his transfiguration and his agony. The ancients tell us that John lived longest of all the twelve apostles, and was the only… Read the whole commentary →

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