Devine Scripture

John 1:9

What does John 1:9 mean?

A plain-English look at John 1:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 1:9 means

This verse affirms the existence of the "true light," which is the Word, and describes it as illuminating every person. This light is not localized but universally available, offering spiritual and moral understanding to all humanity as it enters the world. It distinguishes this true light from any lesser or false lights, emphasizing its authenticity and its power to provide genuine spiritual insight and revelation, revealing God's character and plan to mankind.

John 1:9 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 · 2000

There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The true light, which gives light to every man, was then coming into the world.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

He was the true Light, which doth enlighten every man, coming to the world;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

That was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

The true light was that which, coming into the world, lightens every man.

Context

Following the clear distinction between John and the Light in verse 8, this verse now emphatically defines and characterizes the identity of the true Light. It transitions from speaking about John's role to directly describing the nature of the Word as the ultimate source of illumination for humanity. This definition sets the stage for the dramatic moment when this true Light, Jesus, enters the world in human form, as detailed in the subsequent verses.

v.8He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light.

v.9This passage

v.10He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:4

    But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief:

  • John 15:1

    I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

  • John 1:7

    The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him.

  • Matthew 6:23

    But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is the darkness!

  • Isaiah 49:6

    yea, he saith, It is too light a thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

  • 1 John 1:8

    If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Sermon ideas from John 1:9

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What John 1:9 teaches us about pre-existence of christ

  • What John 1:9 teaches us about incarnation

  • What John 1:9 teaches us about light and life

  • What John 1:9 teaches us about first disciples

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