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Which lighteth every man - As Christ is the Spring and Fountain of all wisdom, so all the wisdom that is in man comes from him; the human intellect is a ray from his brightness; and reason itself springs from this Logos, the eternal reason. Some of the most eminent rabbins understand Isaiah 60:1, Rise and shine, for thy Light is come, of the Messiah who was to illuminate Israel, and who, they believe, was referred to in that word, Genesis 1:3, And God said, Let there be Light; and there was light. Let a Messiah be provided; and a Messiah was accordingly provided. See Schoettgen.
That cometh into the world - Or, coming into the world - ερχομενον εις τον κοσμον : a common phrase among the rabbins, to express every human being. As the human creature sees the light of the world as soon as it is born, from which it had been excluded while in the womb of its parent; in like manner, this heavenly light shines into the soul of every man, to convince of sin, righteousness, and judgment; and it is through this light, which no man brings into the world with him, but which Christ mercifully gives to him on his coming into it, that what is termed conscience among men is produced. No man could discern good from evil, were it not for this light thus supernaturally and graciously restored. There was much light in the law, but this shone only upon the Jews; but the superior light of the Gospel is to be diffused over the face of the whole earth.
The following not only proves what is asserted in this verse, but is also an excellent illustration of it.
The Gayatri, or holiest verse of the Vedas, i.e. the ancient Hindoo Scriptures.
"Let us adore the supremacy of that divine Sun, the Godhead who illuminates all, who re-creates all; from whom all proceed; to whom all must return; whom we invoke to direct our understandings aright, in our progress towards his holy seat."
The ancient comment.
"What the sun and light are to this visible world, that are the supreme good and truth to the intellectual and invisible universe; and, as our corporeal eyes have a distinct perception of objects enlightened by the sun, thus our souls acquire certain knowledge by meditating on the light of truth, which emanates from the Being of beings; that is the light by which alone our minds can be directed in the path to blessedness." Sir Wm. Jones's works, vol. vi. p. 417.
Sir William observes that the original word Bhargas, which he translates Godhead, consists of three consonants, and is derived from bha, to shine; ram, to delight; and gam, to move: - the Being who is the light, the source of happiness, and the all-pervading energy.
Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible
That was the true Light - Not John, but the Messiah. He was not a false, uncertain, dangerous guide, but was one that was true, real, steady, and worthy of confidence. A false light is one that leads to danger or error, as a false beacon on the shores of the ocean may lead ships to quicksands or rocks; or an “ignis fatuus” to fens, and precipices, and death. A true light is one that does not deceive us, as the true beacon may guide us into port or warn us of danger. Christ does not lead astray. All false teachers do.
That lighteth - That enlightens. He removes darkness, error, ignorance, from the mind.
Every man - This is an expression denoting, in general, the whole human race - Jews and Gentiles. John preached to the Jews. Jesus came “to be a light to lighten the Gentiles,” as well as to be the “glory of the people of Israel,” Luke 2:32.
That cometh into the world - The phrase in the original is ambiguous. The word translated “that cometh” may either refer to the “light,” or to the word “man;” so that it may mean either “this ‹true light that cometh‘ into the world enlightens all,” or “it enlightens every ‹man that cometh‘ into the world.” Many critics, and, among the fathers, Cyril and Augustine, have preferred the former, and translated it, “The true light was he who, coming into the world, enlightened every man.” The principal reasons for this are:
1.That the Messiah is often spoken of as he that cometh into the world. See John 6:14; John 18:37.
2.He is often distinguished as “the light that cometh into the world.” John 3:19; “this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world.” John 12:46; “I am come a light into the world.”
Christ may be said to do what is accomplished by his command or appointment. This passage means, therefore, that by his own personal ministry, and by his Spirit and apostles, light or teaching is afforded to all. It does not mean that every individual of the human family is enlightened with the knowledge “of the gospel,” for this never yet has been; but it means:
1.That this light is not confined to the “Jews,” but is extended to all - Jews and Gentiles.
2.That it is provided for all and offered to all.
3.It is not affirmed that at the time that John wrote all “were actually enlightened,” but the word “lighteth” has the form of the “future.” “This is that light so long expected and predicted, which as the result of its coming into the world, will ultimately enlighten all nations.”
Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary
John the Baptist came to bear witness concerning Jesus. Nothing more fully shows the darkness of men's minds, than that when the Light had appeared, there needed a witness to call attention to it. Christ was the true Light; that great Light which deserves to be called so. By his Spirit and grace he enlightens all that are enlightened to salvation; and those that are not enlightened by him, perish in darkness. Christ was in the world when he took our nature upon him, and dwelt among us. The Son of the Highest was here in this lower world. He was in the world, but not of it. He came to save a lost world, because it was a world of his own making. Yet the world knew him not. When he comes as a Judge, the world shall know him. Many say that they are Christ's own, yet do not receive him, because they will not part with their sins, nor have him to reign over them. All the children of God are born again. This new birth is through the word of God as the means, 1Pe 1:23, and by the Spirit of God as the Author. By his Divine presence Christ always was in the world. But now that the fulness of time was come, he was, after another manner, God manifested in the flesh. But observe the beams of his Divine glory, which darted through this veil of flesh. Men discover their weaknesses to those most familiar with them, but it was not so with Christ; those most intimate with him saw most of his glory. Although he was in the form of a servant, as to outward circumstances, yet, in respect of graces, his form was like the Son of God His Divine glory appeared in the holiness of his doctrine, and in his miracles. He was full of grace, fully acceptable to his Father, therefore qualified to plead for us; and full of truth, fully aware of the things he was to reveal.
SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7
9. The true Light. All other so-called “light” than that which originates with Jesus Christ is false (cf.Isa. 50:11; James 1:17). However it is probable that John does not here use the word “true” in contradistinction to “false,” implying that all other lights are false and misleading, for Christ later spoke of John the Baptist as “a burning and a shining light [Gr.luchnos, “lamp,” “light bearer,” in contradistinction to phÅÂs, the light itself, see on v.7]” (ch.5:35). But John the apostle denies (ch.1:8) that John the Baptist was “that Light” of which he here speaks. The difference between John the Baptist and Jesus was not the difference between false and true, but between partial and complete (see 1 Cor. 13:10). The witness of John might be likened to the brilliance of the planet Venus, or to that of Sirius (see on Isa. 14:12), but in Jesus the light of truth blazed forth like the noonday sun (see on Mal. 4:2; 2 Peter 1:19). John also sets Jesus forth as the “true bread” (ch.6:32), the “true vine” (ch.15:1), the true “door” (ch.10:7-9), and as truth itself (ch.14:6).
Lighteth every man. This does not mean that all men are necessarily illuminated by the light, but that if men are illuminated at all it must be by means of this light (cf.John 6:68; Acts 4:12). All the light that men have comes from Christ (DA 464, 465). The true light shines upon all men in the same sense that Jesus died for all men, but this does not mean that all men know about Him or that they will be saved. John here refers, not to a vague spark of light resident in the souls of all men, saints, sinners, and heathen alike, but to the light of a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ (see DA 317). John makes clear in vs.10-12 that, for the most part, “the world knew him not” and “his own received him not.” These, then, were not illuminated by the “true Light.” As John hastens to add, it is only “as many as received him” and believed in Him who are here particularly designated (v.12; cf.DA 317).
That cometh. In the Greek this clause may refer either to “every man” (KJV) or to “the true light” (RSV). In ch.3:19 light is again referred to as coming into the world. In chs.5:43; 7:28; 10:10; 16:28; 18:37 (cf.chs.1:31; 6:14; 11:27) Jesus refers to His own coming, not as a babe in Bethlehem, but in His role as the Messiah. In ch.12:46 Jesus says, “I am come a light into the world.”
In ch.1:10, John states that Christ, “the true Light,” was in the world. Would it not be appropriate for him to mention His coming into the world in the preceding verse? Some have suggested that if the clause, “that cometh into the world,” refers to “every man,” it would be redundant, whereas if it refers to “the true Light,” it would seem to add meaning to the statement and prepare the way for the incarnation declaration of v.14. However, the KJV reading is fully as valid grammatically.
The world.Gr.kosmos, generally the “world” from the viewpoint of its harmonious arrangement (see on Matt. 4:8). John uses kosmos some 80 times, as compared with only 15 in the three Synoptics, and by it designates the world of men, particularly those who oppose God and truth.
Ellen G. White
Fundamentals of Christian Education, 176-7
The greatness and power with which the Creator endowed Lucifer he has perverted; and yet, when it suits his purpose, he can impart to men sentiments that are enchanting. Everything in nature comes from God; yet Satan can inspire his agents with thoughts that appear elevating and noble. Did he not come to Christ with quotations of Scripture when he designed to overthrow Him with his specious temptations? This is the way in which he comes to man, as an angel of light disguising his temptations under an appearance of goodness, and making men believe him to be the friend rather than the enemy of humanity. It is in this way that he has deceived and seduced the race,—beguiling them with subtle temptations, bewildering them with specious deceptions.FE 176.1
Satan has ascribed to God all the evils to which flesh is heir. He has represented Him as a God who delights in the sufferings of His creatures, who is revengeful and implacable. It was Satan who originated the doctrine of eternal torment as a punishment for sin, because in this way he could lead men into infidelity and rebellion, distract souls, and dethrone the human reason.FE 176.2
Heaven, looking down, and seeing the delusions into which men were led, knew that a divine Instructor must come to earth. Men in ignorance and moral darkness must have light, spiritual light; for the world knew not God, and He must be revealed to their understanding. Truth looked down from heaven and saw not the reflection of her image; for dense clouds of moral darkness and gloom enveloped the world, and the Lord Jesus alone was able to roll back the clouds: for He was the Light of the world. By His presence He could dissipate the gloomy shadow that Satan had cast between man and God. Darkness covered the earth, and gross darkness the people. Through the accumulated misrepresentations of the enemy, many were so deceived that they worshiped a false god, clothed with the attributes of the satanic character.FE 176.3
The light of the Sun of Righteousness is to shine forth in good works—in words of truth and deeds of holiness.COL 416.1
Christ, the outshining of the Father's glory, came to the world as its light. He came to represent God to men, and of Him it is written that He was anointed “with the Holy Ghost and with power,” and “went about doing good.” Acts 10:38. In the synagogue at Nazareth He said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18, 19. This was the work He commissioned His disciples to do. “Ye are the light of the world,” He said. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14, 16.COL 416.2
This is the work which the prophet Isaiah describes when he says, “Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.” Isaiah 58:7, 8.COL 417.1
