He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe.
Parallel translations
- WEB The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him.
- KJV The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
- NKJV This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.
- NASB He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.
- NLT to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
John came as a witness to testify about the light so that people might believe through his testimony. His whole purpose was to direct faith toward Christ.
Overview
The language of 'witness' and 'testify' is central to John's Gospel, which presents evidence so readers will believe (John 20:31). John the Baptist's calling was to bear witness to Jesus, the Light, that all kinds of people might come to faith. Genuine ministry, like his, exists to lead others to trust in Christ rather than in the messenger.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Acts 19:4Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”
- John 5:33–35You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.
- John 1:12But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—
- John 1:32–34Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him.
- John 1:36When he saw Jesus walking by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
- John 1:9The true Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world.
- John 1:26–27“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands One you do not know.
- John 3:26–36So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Look, Rabbi, the One who was with you beyond the Jordan, the One you testified about—He is baptizing, and everyone is going to Him.”
- 2 Pet 3:9The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
- Titus 2:11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone.
- 1 Tim 2:4who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
- John 1:15John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’”
- Eph 3:9and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
- John 1:19And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Pastoral
Henry on the prologue — rich on the Word and the incarnation.
Seminary
- ★ Start hereCommentaryThe Gospel According to John (Pillar NT Commentary)D. A. Carson · ~720 pp · Paid · reformed
The go-to mid-level exegetical commentary on John — rigorous and readable.
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 1:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.