John 1:6 kjv

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

John 1:6 nkjv

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

John 1:6 niv

There was a man sent from God whose name was John.

John 1:6 esv

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

John 1:6 nlt

God sent a man, John the Baptist,

John 1 verses

John 1 6 Meaning

John 1:6 introduces John the Baptist as a pivotal figure in God’s redemptive plan. He is presented not as a self-appointed prophet, but as a "man sent from God" with a singular purpose: to bear witness to the Light. This verse immediately establishes John’s divine commissioning and highlights his subordinate yet crucial role, distinguishing him sharply from the true divine Light, Jesus Christ, who has been the focus of the preceding verses in the Gospel's prologue. His testimony is not his own, but a God-ordained announcement to prepare the way and enlighten people about the coming Savior.

John 1 6 Context

John 1:6 appears in the opening "Prologue" of John's Gospel (Jn 1:1-18), which establishes the foundational theological truths about Jesus Christ. Verses 1-5 reveal the pre-existent, divine nature of "the Word" (Logos), identifying Him with God, the Creator, and the source of all life and light. The introduction of John the Baptist in verse 6 serves a crucial purpose: it shifts from abstract theological proclamation to historical reality. After describing the divine Light, the Gospel introduces a human witness to validate the Light's appearance in the world. This introduction provides a concrete, historical reference point, preventing the Light from seeming merely a philosophical concept. It also functions to differentiate John the Baptist, a widely recognized historical figure and revered prophet in Judaism, from Jesus the Christ. The verse acts as a clear polemic against any notion that John himself was the Messiah or the ultimate Light, an idea that may have persisted among some of John the Baptist's followers even after Jesus' ministry.

John 1 6 Word analysis

• There (ἔστιν, estin): Present tense, indicating existence. In this context, it sets the stage for a historical fact.
• was (ἐγένετο, egeneto): More accurately, "came into being" or "came on the scene." This contrasts with "was" (ἦν, ēn) used for the Logos in Jn 1:1-2, emphasizing that John is a created being, while the Logos is uncreated and eternal.
• a man (ἄνθρωπος, anthrōpos): Stresses John’s full humanity. This distinction is crucial to prevent confusing John with the divine Light introduced previously.
• sent (ἀπεσταλμένος, apestalmenos): A perfect passive participle of apostellō, meaning "to send off, commission, appoint."
  • Implies a divine commissioning, an official dispatch with a specific mission.
  • This term underscores that John’s ministry was not of his own initiative but by divine authority and purpose.
  • It echoes prophetic calling in the Old Testament, where prophets were explicitly "sent" by God (e.g., Isa 6:8, Jer 1:7).
• from (παρὰ, para): Means "from the side of," indicating the origin and source of authority.
• God (Θεοῦ, Theou): The ultimate source of John's mission and authority. This legitimizes John’s testimony, as it comes directly from God Himself.
• whose name (ὄνομα αὐτῷ, onoma autō): Directly states his identity, anchoring his ministry in history.
• was John (Ἰωάννης, Iōannēs): The Greek form of the Hebrew "Yochanan," meaning "Yahweh is gracious" or "The Lord is gracious."
  • This name subtly hints at God's gracious act in sending this particular messenger for such a vital purpose.
  • His identity was distinct, not to be confused with any divine being.

Word-Groups analysis:

• "was a man": Explicitly contrasts John's created human nature with the uncreated, eternal nature of the Logos (Word). This guards against misconceptions about his identity.
• "sent from God": Establishes divine legitimacy and purpose for John’s ministry. It highlights that his message and mission are not earthly in origin but heavenly, giving his subsequent witness immense authority and credibility within God's unfolding plan. This phrase underscores God's direct involvement in orchestrating events for the revelation of the Light.
• "whose name was John": Personalizes the witness. It emphasizes his specific historical identity, grounding the theological claims about the Light in observable events attested to by a known figure, differentiating him clearly from the abstract concept of "the Light" previously introduced.

John 1 6 Bonus section

• Distinction from John the Baptist’s Followers: The Gospel of John implicitly and explicitly challenges beliefs that might have elevated John the Baptist beyond his intended role as a witness. This verse (and Jn 1:8, Jn 3:28-30) serves as a gentle but firm corrective to those who might have considered John the Messiah or the ultimate divine revelation, emphasizing his commissioned status as a messenger for the one to come.
• Apostolic Significance: The Greek word for "sent" (apestalmenos) is related to the word apostolos (apostle), indicating a foundational characteristic of those divinely chosen and commissioned for a specific task. John the Baptist's role as a "sent one" previews the concept of the apostles who would later be sent by Christ himself.
• Theme of Witness: This verse introduces the profound and recurrent Johannine theme of "witness" or "testimony" (martyria). Throughout the Gospel, Jesus’ identity and mission are validated by various witnesses: John the Baptist (Jn 1:7), His works (Jn 5:36), the Father (Jn 5:37), the Scriptures (Jn 5:39), and later, the Holy Spirit (Jn 15:26-27). John the Baptist is presented as the primary human witness, fulfilling prophetic expectation and preparing people's hearts.

John 1 6 Commentary

John 1:6 serves as a crucial bridge in the Gospel's prologue, connecting the timeless truths of the divine Logos (Word) to their historical manifestation in human form. After depicting the Logos as life, light, and the essence of God Himself, John introduces John the Baptist to bear witness to this ultimate Light. This introduction is not random; it grounds the sublime theological claims in verifiable history, preventing any misinterpretation of the Light as a mere philosophical construct or mythical entity. The statement "a man sent from God" profoundly dignifies John's role, asserting that his ministry was not of human origin but divinely appointed and authorized. This divine commissioning is key to understanding the validity and weight of his subsequent testimony about Jesus. It also starkly differentiates John from the Light, explicitly clarifying that while he was sent by God, he was not God or the Light itself. This subtle distinction was crucial for early readers, as some sects elevated John the Baptist, diminishing Jesus' unique position. Thus, John 1:6 is fundamental in establishing John the Baptist's authentic prophetic mission as the God-appointed herald, preparing humanity for the full advent of divine Light in Christ, yet humbly ensuring his witness directs all glory to the true Light.