1:9

The true Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world: This refers to the Word, Jesus Christ, in contrast to John the Baptist. He was the true light, he gives light to everyone, and he was coming into the world. Here is another way to translate this clause:

The true light that gives light to all was coming into the world! (New Century Version)

The true Light: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as true here means “real” or “genuine.” For example:

the real light (New Jerusalem Bible)

Light: See the note on Light in 1:4b and how you translated this in 1:4b, 1:5a, and 1:8a–b.

who gives light to every man: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gives light can be understood in two ways:

(1) it means to give light to someone so that they can see. For example:

which gives light to everyone (English Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New American Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, New International Version, Revised English Bible, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) it means to shine on someone so that they can be seen. For example:

which shines on everyone (God’s Word)

(God’s Word, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version)

The King James Version is ambiguous. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most English translations. However, it is good if people can understand that the light enables them to see themselves as well as other things. The true light allows everyone to see that they themselves are sinful. The true light also allows everyone to understand something of God and his greatness and goodness.

In some languages you may need to explain the metaphor of light by translating gives light in this way:

who reveals true things to all people

was coming into the world: This refers to Jesus Christ’s public ministry. Jesus had already been born, and was in fact only a few months younger than John the Baptist. However, he had not yet begun preaching to the people.

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