Bible Strands
John 1:6
There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Gospel narrator introduces John the Baptist in the prologue, between the statement that darkness has not overcome the Light (v. 5) and the statement that he came as a witness (v. 7). No speaker or addressee is named; this is the author's voice.
The words — ἀπεσταλμένος (apestalmenos) is a perfect passive participle of ἀποστέλλω, carrying the sense of "having been sent" — a completed act with ongoing effect, the same root that yields "apostle." It marks John as one whose identity is entirely derivative of a sender.
The thread — The language echoes Malachi 3:1 ("I will send My messenger") and Isaiah 40:3 ("Prepare the way for the LORD"), and John himself restates it in John 3:28: "I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him."
Why it lands — The verse defines John solely by his sending, leaving no room for him to claim the Light for himself. The reader is asked to hold the distinction between the one sent and the one who sends, and to locate belief accordingly.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
Cross-references
- Malachi 3:1 “Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.
- John 3:28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’
- Isaiah 40:3 A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.
- Luke 1:76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,
- John 1:33 I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
- Acts 13:24 Before the arrival of Jesus, John preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
- Matthew 3:1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
- Matthew 11:10 This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’
- Mark 1:1 This is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
- Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.