He himself was not the LightThis phrase refers to John the Baptist, emphasizing his role as a forerunner to Jesus Christ rather than the Messiah himself. In the context of first-century Judea, many were anticipating the arrival of the Messiah, and some even speculated that John might be the one. However, John consistently denied being the Christ (
John 1:20). This distinction is crucial in understanding the humility and purpose of John’s ministry. Theologically, it underscores the uniqueness of Jesus as the true Light of the world (
John 8:12). The imagery of light is significant throughout Scripture, symbolizing truth, purity, and divine revelation (
Isaiah 9:2,
Psalm 27:1).
but he came to testify about the Light
John’s mission was to bear witness to Jesus, preparing the way for His ministry (Isaiah 40:3,Malachi 3:1). The concept of testimony is central in the Gospel of John, where the legal and relational aspects of bearing witness are highlighted. In a cultural context, testimony was a critical component of establishing truth, especially in Jewish legal proceedings (Deuteronomy 19:15). John’s testimony was not just verbal but also through his lifestyle and baptism, calling people to repentance and pointing them to Christ (Matthew 3:1-3). This role as a witness is a model for believers, who are also called to testify to the truth of Christ in their lives (Acts 1:8).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
John the BaptistA pivotal figure in the New Testament, John the Baptist was a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus Christ. He is known for his role in baptizing Jesus and for his message of repentance.
2.
The LightRefers to Jesus Christ, who is described as the true Light that gives light to every person. The Light symbolizes truth, purity, and divine revelation.
3.
TestimonyThe act of bearing witness. John the Baptist's mission was to testify about Jesus, pointing others to Him as the Messiah.
Teaching Points
Understanding Our RoleJust as John the Baptist was not the Light but testified about it, we are called to point others to Christ, not to ourselves.
The Importance of TestimonyOur lives and words should bear witness to the truth of Jesus Christ, just as John the Baptist did.
Humility in MinistryJohn the Baptist exemplified humility by acknowledging that he was not the Light. We should serve with the same humility, recognizing that our purpose is to glorify Christ.
Recognizing the True LightIn a world filled with false lights and distractions, we must discern and follow the true Light, Jesus Christ.
Living as Light BearersAs followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His light in our daily lives, influencing the world around us.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of John 1:8?
2.How does John 1:8 emphasize the role of a witness to Christ?
3.What can we learn from John's example in pointing others to the Light?
4.How does John 1:8 connect with Matthew 5:14-16 about being a light?
5.In what ways can you bear witness to Christ in your daily life?
6.How does understanding John 1:8 impact your approach to evangelism?
7.Why does John 1:8 emphasize John the Baptist's role as a witness rather than the light itself?
8.How does John 1:8 fit into the broader theme of testimony in the Gospel of John?
9.What historical evidence supports John the Baptist's role as described in John 1:8?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 1?
11.What does the Bible say about telling white lies?
12.When is it appropriate to love or hate?
13.Ephesians 4:15–16: Does the call to “grow up in every way” into Christ conflict with passages elsewhere that emphasize human fallibility and sinfulness?
14.Can one achieve a state of sinless perfection?What Does John 1:8 Mean
He himself“ He himself…” (John 1:8a) centers our attention on John the Baptist as a distinct, flesh-and-blood servant of God.
• Scripture repeatedly stresses John’s personal identity: “There came a man sent from God whose name was John” (John 1:6).
• Luke’s careful narration of John’s birth and upbringing (Luke 1:13, 57-66) confirms that this is no mythic symbol; he is a real man with a God-given task.
• Like Elijah before him (2 Kings 1:8;Malachi 4:5-6), John stands out as a solitary, prophetic voice—yet always as a man under divine authority.
was not the LightJohn “was not the Light” (John 1:8b).
• He openly denies messianic status: “I am not the Christ” (John 1:20).
• Jesus alone is “the true Light who gives light to every man” (John 1:9), and later declares, “I am the Light of the world” (John 8:12).
• John’s humility models for believers that no servant, no matter how gifted, replaces the Savior. Paul echoes this in2 Corinthians 4:5: “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord.”
but he came“…but he came…” (John 1:8c) highlights John’s divine commissioning.
• “Sent from God” (John 1:6) points to purposeful arrival, much like Moses being sent to Pharaoh (Exodus 3:10).
•Mark 1:4 shows him stepping onto the stage “preaching a baptism of repentance.” His appearance fulfillsIsaiah 40:3.
• The phrase reminds us that every believer also “comes” into the world for God’s purposes (Ephesians 2:10).
to testify about the LightJohn’s mission: “to testify about the Light” (John 1:8d).
• Witness language dominates his ministry: “John testified concerning Him” (John 1:15).
• He points beyond himself: “Behold, the Lamb of God” (John 1:29).
• Jesus later says, “You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth” (John 5:33).
•Acts 13:24 notes that John “proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel before the coming of Jesus.”
• Like courtroom testimony, his words demand a verdict: acceptance or rejection of Christ (John 3:26-36).
summaryJohn 1:8 underscores that John the Baptist is a God-sent man, not the saving Light himself. His life’s purpose is to direct everyone’s gaze to Jesus, the true Light of the world. Believers today follow his pattern: humbly acknowledge we are not the Light, confidently step into our God-given assignments, and boldly bear witness to Jesus so that others may believe.
(8)
He was not that Light, but was sent.--It is necessary to repeat the statement of John's position and work in an emphatic form. Now first for 400 years a great teacher had appeared in Israel. The events of his birth and life had excited the attention of the masses; his bold message, like the cry of another Elias, found its way in burning words to the slumbering hearts of men; and even from the least likely classes, from Pharisee and Sadducee, from publican and soldier, there came the heart's question, "What shall we do?" The extent of the religious revival does not impress us, because it passed into the greater which followed, but the statement of a publican living at the time is that "Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, went out to Him, and were baptized of Him in Jordan, confessing their sins" (
Matthew 3:5-6). But what was this power in their midst? Who could be the person uttering these more than human words? A comparison of
John 1:19-20 in this chapter with
Luke 3:15 shows a widespread opinion that he was at least possibly the Messiah. He himself with true greatness recognised the greater, but as in many a like case in after days, the followers had not all the leader's nobility of soul. We shall meet signs of this in
John 3:26;
John 4:1. We find traces of it in
Matthew 9:14, &c. (see Note at this place), and even in Ephesus, as late as St. Paul's third missionary journey, we find "certain disciples" knowing nothing more than "John's baptism" (
Acts 19:1-6). It was at Ephesus that this Gospel was written and the existence of a body of such "disciples" may have led to the full statement in this verse made by one who had himself been among the Baptist's earliest followers. . . .
Verse 8. - A solemn warning is given, which forever discriminates the ministry of man from the eternal ministry of the Logos.
He (John, and with him all the prophetic, Levitical, ascetic teachers in all ages)
was not the Light, but [
he was or
came]
that he might bear witness of the Light. The
ἵνα depends upon some unexpressed verbal thought; for even in the passages where it stands alone (
John 9:3;
John 13:18;
John 14:31;
John 15:25) the reference is not obscure to some pre-existing or involved verb. The distinction here drawn between John and the Light is thought by some expositors to point to the condition of the Ephesian Church, in the neighbourhood of which there still lingered some who placed John in even a higher position than that accorded to Jesus (
Acts 19:3, 4); but the teaching of the evangelist is far more comprehensive than this.
The Light of men has higher source and wider range of operation than that of any prophetic man. All that he, that any seer whatsoever can do, is to bear witness to it. The prophets, from Moses to John, derived all their power, their sanction, and the corroboration of their message, from the Logos light shining through conscience and blazing through providential events and burning up the stubble of human action with unquenchable fire. The prophets are not the light of God; they are sent to bear witness to it.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
He himselfἐκεῖνος(ekeinos)Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1565:That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.wasἦν(ēn)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.notοὐκ(ouk)Adverb
Strong's 3756:No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.theτὸ(to)Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.Light,φῶς(phōs)Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5457:Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.butἀλλ’(all’)Conjunction
Strong's 235:But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.he came to testifyμαρτυρήσῃ(martyrēsē)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3140:To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify.aboutπερὶ(peri)Preposition
Strong's 4012:From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.theτοῦ(tou)Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.Light.φωτός(phōtos)Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 5457:Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.
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NT Gospels: John 1:8 He was not the light but was (Jhn Jo Jn) 
