John 1:4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

◄ John 1:4 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

English Standard Version
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

New American Standard Bible
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.

King James Bible
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men.

International Standard Version
In him was life, and that life brought light to humanity.

American Standard Version
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Douay-Rheims Bible
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

Darby Bible Translation
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

Young's Literal Translation
In him was life, and the life was the light of men,

Cross References

John 3:19
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

John 5:26
For as the Father has life in himself; so has he given to the Son to have life in himself;

John 8:12
Then spoke Jesus again to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 9:5
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

John 11:25
Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

John 12:46
I am come a light into the world, that whoever believes on me should not abide in darkness.

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.

1 John 1:1
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked on, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

1 John 1:2
(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show to you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;)

1 John 5:11
And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

1:1-5 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 meanest worm. This shows how well qualified he was for the work of our redemption and salvation. The light of reason, as well as the life of sense, is derived from him, and depends upon him. This eternal Word, this true Light shines, but the darkness comprehends it not. Let us pray without ceasing, that our eyes may be opened to behold this Light, that we may walk in it; and thus be made wise unto salvation, by faith in Jesus Christ.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

4. In Him was life—essentially and originally, as the previous verses show to be the meaning. Thus He is the Living Word, or, as He is called in 1Jo 1:1, 2, "the Word of Life."

the life … the light of men—All that in men which is true light—knowledge, integrity, intelligent, willing subjection to God, love to Him and to their fellow creatures, wisdom, purity, holy joy, rational happiness—all this "light of men" has its fountain in the essential original "life" of "the Word" (1Jo 1:5-7; Ps 36:9).