He was the lamp that was burning and shining, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
Parallel translations
- WEB He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
- KJV He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
- BSB John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you were willing for a season to bask in his light.
- NKJV He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.
- NLT John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message.
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 was a burning and shining lamp, and they enjoyed his light for a time. Their interest in John was real but short-lived.
Overview
Jesus honors John as a bright lamp who illumined the way to the Messiah. Yet the people's enthusiasm was temporary and superficial, failing to lead them to Christ. The image of a lamp reminds us that John pointed to the greater Light, Jesus himself.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- 2 Pet 1:19We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morning star arises in your hearts:
- John 1:7–8The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him.
- Matt 11:11Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.
- Matt 3:5–7Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him.
- Luke 1:76–77And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,
- Mark 6:20for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.
- John 6:66At this, many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
- Luke 1:15–17For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
- Matt 11:7–9As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
- Matt 21:26But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.”
- Matt 13:20–21What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it;
- Luke 7:28“For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer, yet he who is least in God’s Kingdom is greater than he.”
- Ezek 33:31They come to you as the people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but don’t do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goes after their gain.
- Gal 4:15–16What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 5:35 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.