John 1:4

NET©In him was life, 1  and the life was the light of mankind. 2 
NIV©In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
biblegateway Joh 1:4
NASB©In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
biblegateway Joh 1:4
NLT©Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone.
biblegateway Joh 1:4
MSG©What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by.
biblegateway Joh 1:4
BBE©What came into existence in him was life, and the life was the light of men.
SABDAweb Joh 1:4
NRSV©in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
bibleoremus Joh 1:4
NKJV©In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
biblegateway Joh 1:4
KJVIn <1722> him <846> was <2258> (5713) life <2222>; and <2532> the life <2222> was <2258> (5713) the light <5457> of men <444>.
NASB©In Him was life <2222>, and the life <2222> was the Light <5457> of men <444>.
Greek en <1722> autw <846> zwh <2222> hn <1510> (5713) kai <2532> h <3588> zwh <2222> hn <1510> (5713) to <3588> fwv <5457> twn <3588> anyrwpwn <444>
NET© [draft] ITLIn <1722> him <846> was <1510> life <2222>, and <2532> the life <2222> was <1510> the light <5457> of mankind <444>.
NET©In him was life, 1  and the life was the light of mankind. 2 
NET© Notes

1 tn John uses ζωή (zwh) 37 times: 17 times it occurs with αἰώνιος (aiwnios), and in the remaining occurrences outside the prologue it is clear from context that “eternal” life is meant. The two uses in 1:4, if they do not refer to “eternal” life, would be the only exceptions. (Also 1 John uses ζωή 13 times, always of “eternal” life.)

sn An allusion to Ps 36:9, which gives significant OT background: “For with you is the fountain of life; In your light we see light.” In later Judaism, Bar 4:2 expresses a similar idea. Life, especially eternal life, will become one of the major themes of John’s Gospel.

2 tn Or “humanity”; Grk “of men” (but ἄνθρωπος [anqrwpo"] is used in a generic sense here, not restricted to males only, thus “mankind,” “humanity”).

HISTORY

  • John 1:4
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