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Selected Verse: John 1:8 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Joh 1:8	King James	He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
not that Light--(See on Joh 5:35). What a testimony to John to have to explain that "he was not that Light!" Yet was he but a foil to set it off, his night-taper dwindling before the Dayspring from on high (Joh 3:30).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

not that Light--(See on Joh 5:35). What a testimony to John to have to explain that "he was not that Light!" Yet was he but a foil to set it off, his night-taper dwindling before the Dayspring from on high (Joh 3:30).

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
He (ἐκεῖνος) Emphatic, "It was not he who was the light." Compare Joh 2:21, "He (ἐκεῖνος) spake," bringing out the difference between Jesus' conception of destroying and rebuilding the temple, and that of his hearers. That light (τὸ φῶς) Rev., the light. The emphatic that of the A.V. is unnecessary. Was sent Rev., came. Neither in the original text. Literally, "He was not the light, but in order that (ἵνα) he might bear witness." So in Joh 9:3. "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents, but (he was born blind) that the works," etc. Compare Joh 15:25.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

He (ἐκεῖνος)

Emphatic, "It was not he who was the light." Compare Joh 2:21, "He (ἐκεῖνος) spake," bringing out the difference between Jesus' conception of destroying and rebuilding the temple, and that of his hearers.

That light (τὸ φῶς)

Rev., the light. The emphatic that of the A.V. is unnecessary.

Was sent

Rev., came. Neither in the original text. Literally, "He was not the light, but in order that (ἵνα) he might bear witness." So in Joh 9:3. "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents, but (he was born blind) that the works," etc. Compare Joh 15:25.

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