the people who lived [there] in [spiritual] darkness saw a great light. Light shone upon these people, who lived in an area that was under the shadow of death.”
John 1:4 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) Life existed in Him; and that Life [was what] enlightened mankind [spiritually]. More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. American Standard Version (1901) In him was life; and the life was the light of men. Common English Bible through the Word was life, and the life was the light for all people. Catholic Public Domain Version Life was in Him, and Life was the light of men. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version In him was life, and the life was the light of men. |
the people who lived [there] in [spiritual] darkness saw a great light. Light shone upon these people, who lived in an area that was under the shadow of death.”
[to be] a light for revealing [God’s way of salvation] to the [unconverted] Gentiles, and a [source of] glory to your people, the Israelites.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the person who believes in me will live on, even though he dies [physically].
So, Jesus said to them, “The Light will be among you for only a little while [longer]. Walk around while you [still] have the Light [with you], before darkness surrounds you. For the person who walks around in darkness does not know where he is going.
I have come into the world to be a light [to it], so that whoever believes in me would not have to remain in [spiritual] darkness.
Jesus answered him, “I am the way [to God], and the truth [to believe], and the life [to live]. No one can go to the Father, except through [believing in] me.
Now this is [how God’s] judgment [works]: The Light [See 1:5-9] has come into the world, but people loved darkness [i.e., sin] rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil.
For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them [renewed] life [for their bodies (?)], even so the Son also gives [renewed] life to [the spirits (?)] of whoever He wants to.
For [just] as the Father is Himself [the source of] life, in the same way He gave to His Son also [the power] to be [the source of] life.
So, Jesus spoke to them again [i.e., to the Jewish authorities. See 7:45], saying, “I am the light of the world. The person who becomes my follower will never live in [spiritual] darkness, but have the light of [i.e., for his] life [i.e., followers of Jesus will not live in error and sin but in truth and righteousness].”
namely, that the Christ must suffer and be the first to rise from the dead [i.e., never to die again] and then proclaim the light [of the Gospel] to the [Jewish] people and to the Gentiles.”
So, it is also written [Gen. 2:7], “The first man, Adam, became a living being.” The last Adam [i.e., Christ], became the Spirit who gives [never ending] life. [See John 5:21].
So, it says, “You who are asleep, wake up and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you [i.e., illuminate you].” [Note: The foregoing words may have been an early saying, used at someone’s immersion, which included the ideas of “rising up” (See Col. 2:12) and “illumination” (See Heb. 6:4) ].
[So], when Christ, who is your [or, “our” source of] life, appears [i.e., at His second coming], then you people also will appear with Him in splendor [i.e., in heaven].
We [apostles] proclaim to you [the truth about Jesus], who existed from the beginning [of time]. We have heard [Him] and seen [Him] with our [own] eyes. We looked at Him, and [even] touched Him with our hands. [See John 20:20]. [So, we proclaim that] He is the word of life [i.e., the life-giving Word]!
Truly, this “Life” was made known to us and we have [actually] seen it [i.e., Him], and so we testify and proclaim to you [that He is] “the Eternal Life,” who was with the Father and was made known to us [apostles].
And this is the testimony [of God]: He gave to us [the hope of] never ending life, and this life is [available through fellowship] in His Son.
Then the angel [See 21:9] showed me the river of the water of life. It was crystal-clear as it flowed out of the throne of God and the Lamb,
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you people about these things for [the benefit of] the churches [See 1:4]. I am the Root and the descendant of King David, the bright Morning Star.”