John 1:4

In him was life, ¹  and the life was the light of mankind. ² 

biblegateway Joh 1:4

In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

biblegateway Joh 1:4

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.

biblegateway Joh 1:4

Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone.

biblegateway Joh 1:4

What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by.

SABDAweb Joh 1:4

What came into existence in him was life, and the life was the light of men.

bibleoremus Joh 1:4

in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.

biblegateway Joh 1:4

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

biblegateway Joh 1:4

In him was life, ¹  and the life was the light of mankind. ² 

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.)

¹ 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”).