John 1:4
What does John 1:4 mean?
A plain-English look at John 1:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 1:4 means
This verse declares that life itself resides inherently within the Word, and this life is the source of light for humanity. The life is not merely biological existence but speaks of spiritual, eternal life. This life then manifests as light, representing truth, revelation, and moral understanding that dispels spiritual darkness. So, the Word is both the author of all existence and the illuminator of human understanding and spiritual perception, bringing genuine insight and reality.
John 1:4 in context
John 1 — The Word Made Flesh
John lifts the curtain higher than any other Gospel. Before there was a Bethlehem, there was the Word — with God, who was God, by whom all things were made. The same Word who was the agent of creation became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. John the Baptist points him out as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; the first disciples follow him; Nathanael confesses him as the Son of God and King of Israel. The eternal becomes near enough to touch.
- Pre-existence of Christ
- Incarnation
- Light and life
- First disciples
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
KJV
King James Version · 1611In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949What came into existence in him was life, and the life was the light of men.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862In him was life, and the life was the light of men,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752In him was life: and the life was the light of men.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Context
Building on the Word's role as creator in verse 3, this verse introduces His intrinsic qualities of life and light. It moves beyond physical creation to the spiritual realm, showing that the Word is not only the origin of physical existence but also the source of spiritual vitality and truth for humanity. This crucial link between life and light sets the stage for understanding the Word's salvific purpose later in the chapter, as He brings spiritual illumination to a world in darkness.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 9:5
When I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
- John 12:35
Jesus therefore said unto them, Yet a little while is the light among you. Walk while ye have the light, that darkness overtake you not: and he that walketh in the darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
- 1 John 5:11
And the witness is this, that God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
- Colossians 3:4
When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory.
- John 12:46
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me may not abide in the darkness.
- Luke 1:78
Because of the tender mercy of our God, Whereby the dayspring from on high shall visit us,
Sermon ideas from John 1:4
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 1:4 teaches us about pre-existence of christ
What John 1:4 teaches us about incarnation
What John 1:4 teaches us about light and life
What John 1:4 teaches us about first disciples
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