John 1:4-5

Geneva Study Bible - John 1:5

1:5 {3} And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness {m} comprehended it not.(3) The light of men is turned into darkness, but yet there is enough clearness so that they are without excuse.(m) They could not perceive nor reach it to receive any light from it, no, they did not so much as acknowledge him. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - John 1:1-51

CHRIST THE LIVING WORD (vs.1-5) Revelation 19:13, speaking of the Lord Jesus, says, "His name is called the Word of God." As such He had no beginning: in the beginning He was there. In person He is eternal. Yet also, He was with God, which shows Him to be a distinct person. Yet more than this, "the Word was God:" He is a divine person. Then verse 2 is added to guard the fact that He was (and is) eternally distinct. In the eternal past, as in the eternal future, God is a blessed Trinity,... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - John 1:1-51

DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST This portion of the Gospel is chosen as a lesson because it gives an opportunity at one view to consider the Deity of Jesus Christ as declared in the preface (John 1:1-14 ) as witnessed to by the testimony of the Baptist (John 1:15-34 ), and demonstrated in the first visit to Judea after the baptism (John 1:35 to John 2:12 ). PREFACE (John 1:1-14 ) Observe the earliest illustration of John’s presentation of Jesus as the Son of God. Nothing corresponding is found in the... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - John 1:1-51

The Private Ministry of the Gospel Joh 1:45 Do you know how difficult it is to preach to one hearer? Some young people, who have a wish to be public speakers, wonder how a man can stand before a thousand of his fellow-creatures and speak to them boldly, with perfect self-possession and confidence. Believe me, there is a higher courage than that; namely, to speak to one man about Jesus, to direct your remarks to one heart, and to press your urgent appeal upon the individual conscience. Philip... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - John 1:4

In him was life; and the life was the light of men. What a beautiful account doth this verse give of Christ, when considered in connection with what went before. In him, that is, essentially, and in himself underived, and in common with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, he is life, the origin, fountain, and source of all life, natural, spiritual, eternal. And as by virtue of his own eternal power and Godhead, he is the efficient cause of all life to all creatures, so in a special and personal... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - John 1:5

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. Here is drawn the line of distinction between the character of those who from the natural blindness of a fallen state, unawakened by the Holy Ghost, have no perception of the person and glory of Christ; and those who from grace-union with him, are called out of darkness into his marvellous light. Pause, Reader! and contemplate the vast privileges of the Lord's people. read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - John 1:4

In him: i.e. in this word, or Son of God, was life; because he give life to every creature. Or, as Maldonatus expounds it, because he is the author of grace, which is the spiritual life of our souls. --- And the life was the light of men, whether we expound it of a rational soul and understanding, which he gives to all men; or of the spiritual life, and those lights of graces, which he gives to Christians. (Witham) read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - John 1:5

And the light shineth, or did shine, in darkness. Many understand this, that the light of reason, which God gave to every one, might have brought them to the knowledge of God by the visible effects of his Providence in this world: but the darkness did not comprehend it, because men, blinded by their passions, would not attend to the light of reason. Or we may again understand it, with Maldonatus, of the lights of grace, against which obstinate sinners wilfully shut their eyes. (Witham) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - John 1:1-5

1-5 The plainest reason why the Son of God is called the Word, seems to be, that as our words explain our minds to others, so was the Son of God sent in order to reveal his Father's mind to the world. What the evangelist says of Christ proves that he is God. He asserts, His existence in the beginning; His coexistence with the Father. The Word was with God. All things were made by him, and not as an instrument. Without him was not any thing made that was made, from the highest angel to the... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - John 1:1-99

John 1 THE GOSPEL OF JOHN was evidently written some time after the other three Gospels. Matthew, Mark and Luke had each told, in their divinely appointed way, the story of the birth, early years and entrance into ministry of Jesus Christ, and John takes their record for granted, since without it his opening paragraphs would be hardly intelligible. As the first century drew to its close, sufficient time had elapsed for the launching of attacks on the Person of Christ, as being the very citadel... read more

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