John 1:6–8 introduces John the Baptist as the divinely commissioned forerunner to Christ, the Light of the world. His mission is not to draw attention to himself but to bear witness to the One who is eternal, divine, and redemptive. This section of John’s Gospel roots John the Baptist’s ministry not only in the immediate narrative but in Old Testament prophecy, particularly from Malachi, the final voice of the Hebrew Scriptures. John the Baptist is not a mere transitional figure—he is the last prophet of the old covenant and the herald of the new.
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.”
(John 1:6–8, ESV)
John 1:6 — “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.”
Cross References:
- Malachi 3:1 – “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me…”
- Luke 1:76 – “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High…”
- Matthew 11:10 – “This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face…’”
This verse introduces a new character in the drama of redemption—a man, not eternal like the Word, but sent by God. This divine commissioning fulfills the prophecy of Malachi 3:1, where God promises to send a messenger ahead of Him. John is that messenger, the bridge between the Testaments, and the last in the line of Old Testament prophets.
The name “John” (meaning “Yahweh is gracious”) is itself a testimony of God’s merciful intention to redeem. His coming marks the end of prophetic silence and the beginning of the final phase of God’s redemptive work through Christ.
In typological terms, John is the new Elijah—the preparatory voice of repentance and restoration, as prophesied in Malachi 4:5–6:
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children…”
Jesus confirms this fulfillment in Matthew 11:14 and Luke 1:17, noting that John comes in the spirit and power of Elijah, not in bodily form, but in prophetic function.
John 1:7 — “He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.”
Cross References:
- Isaiah 43:10 – “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD…
- John 5:33 – “You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.”
- Acts 19:4 – “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him…”
The purpose of John’s mission is clear: he came to bear witness. This legal and prophetic term underscores his role in God’s covenantal economy—not as a redeemer, but as a truth-teller, a herald of divine revelation. His voice is a call to faith, not in himself, but in the Light—Jesus Christ.
The repetition of the word “witness” is intentional. In Jewish law, valid testimony required two or three witnesses (cf. Deuteronomy 19:15). John stands as one of the great God-ordained witnesses to the Messiah, preparing the world for the Light’s arrival.
The end of his witness is that “all might believe through him.” John’s ministry had an evangelistic purpose. The belief spoken of here is not intellectual assent but saving trust in Christ. John is instrumental in calling hearts to repentance (Malachi 4:6) and preparing them to receive the grace and truth that comes in Christ.
John 1:8 — “He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.”
Cross References:
- John 3:28 – “I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.”
- Luke 3:15–16 – “John answered them all, saying, ‘I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming…’”
- Acts 13:25 – “What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.”
This verse decisively distinguishes John from the Christ. In a world easily tempted to elevate charismatic figures, the Gospel author makes it clear: John is not the Light. His greatness lies in his clarity of purpose and self-effacing testimony. He understood his calling was not to generate light, but to reflect and reveal it.
In typological contrast, whereas Moses’ face reflected the glory of God, John points beyond even prophetic glory to the incarnate Light Himself. The Light is not derivative or symbolic—it is personal, divine, and salvific in Christ.
Fulfilled Prophecy from Malachi
- Malachi 3:1 – “Behold, I send my messenger…”
Fulfilled in John’s preparatory ministry. He prepares the way for “the Lord… the messenger of the covenant”, namely Jesus. - Malachi 4:5–6 – “I will send you Elijah the prophet…”
Fulfilled in John coming in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17). His ministry of calling hearts to repentance fulfills the mission to turn hearts and avoid judgment.
John’s ministry functions as both a warning and a mercy—calling Israel back to covenant faithfulness and preparing them for the visitation of God in the flesh. As such, he fulfills the final voice of the Old Testament canon and heralds the dawn of the new covenant.
Summary for Discipleship & Teaching
John the Baptist teaches us what faithful witness looks like: humble, Christ-exalting, and rooted in Scripture. He reminds us that even those with a divine calling are not the source, but only pointers to the source.
For disciples, this passage instills a model of gospel humility and Scripture-shaped ministry. John is the fulfillment of ancient prophecy, yet his greatness lies in pointing to Christ. His witness stands as a testimony that all of God’s promises—old and new—find their “Yes” in Jesus.
God does not act randomly in redemptive history. From Malachi to John the Baptist to Christ, every move is intentional, prophetic, and grace-filled. As we reflect on John 1:6–8, we see a faithful witness who prepares the way for the Light, the Messiah, who alone gives life to the world.
Outline: John 1:6–8 (ESV)
The following information is intended for preparation.
Scripture (ESV):
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.
8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
1. The Mission of John (v. 6)
- “There was a man sent from God” — John’s role and authority came from God, not man.
- 📖 Cross Reference: Malachi 3:1 — “Behold, I send my messenger…”
- “Whose name was John” — Refers to John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ.
- Key Idea: John was divinely appointed to prepare the way.
- Key Words:sent, from God, John
2. The Role of Witness (v. 7)
- “He came as a witness” — John’s purpose was to testify about someone greater.
- “To bear witness about the light” — His message pointed to Jesus, the true light.
- “That all might believe through him” — His testimony aimed to lead people to faith.
- 📖 Cross Reference: John 3:28 — “I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.”
- Key Idea: John’s testimony was meant to lead others to faith in Christ.
- Key Words:witness, light, believe
3. Clarifying Identity (v. 8)
- “He was not the light” — John himself was not the source of divine truth.
- “But came to bear witness about the light” — His mission was always to point to Christ, not to himself.
- 📖 Cross Reference: Acts 19:4 — “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him…”
- Key Idea: John’s identity and purpose were distinct from Jesus.
- Key Words:not the light, bear witness
Moe Bergeron 
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