John 1:6 - Reformed Bible Study

[There] came [a] man, having been sent from God, name to him [was] John.

Ἐγένετο ἄνθρωπος, ἀπεσταλμένος παρὰ Θεοῦ, ὄνομα αὐτῷ Ἰωάννης.

ἘγένετοVerb 3rd-person, singular, aorist, middle, indicativeγίνομαι669xto become, come into being, be born, happen
came

ἄνθρωποςNoun masculine, singular, nominativeἄνθρωπος550xman, human, mankind
man

ἀπεσταλμένοςVerb perfect, passive, participle, masculine, singular, nominativeἀποστέλλω132xto send, dispatch
having been sent

παρὰPrepositionπαρά194x(+gen) from, by; (+dat) with; (+acc) beside
from/by

ΘεοῦNoun masculine, singular, genitiveΘεός1,317xGod, god
God

ὄνομαNoun neuter, singular, nominativeὄνομα230xname
name

αὐτῷPronoun 3rd-person, masculine, singular, dativeαὐτός5,597xhe, she, it
to him

ἸωάννηςNoun masculine, singular, nominativeἸωάννης140xJohn
John

Language

Ἐγένετο (came) – This verb is in the aorist tense, indicating a specific point in time. It suggests the historical moment when John the Baptist was sent by God. While Jesus “was” from the beginning (John 1:1), John “came” at a specific time in history.
- John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”
ἄνθρωπος (man) – This noun is in the nominative singular form, indicating that John the Baptist was a real human being, highlighting the distinction between him and the divine Logos introduced earlier in the chapter.
- John 3:4, “Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old?…'”
ἀπεσταλμένος (having been sent) – This is a perfect passive participle, showing that John had been “sent” by God with ongoing significance. The perfect tense highlights the lasting impact of John’s divine mission.
- Luke 9:2, “And he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.”

παρὰ θεοῦ (from God) – This prepositional phrase emphasizes the origin of John’s mission. The use of παρά (from, by), in contrast with ἐκ (from, out of), indicates that John’s authority and commission were not self-derived but came directly from God.
- James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.”
ὄνομα (name) – This noun is in the accusative singular, referring to John by name. The personal name “John” is significant, not just as an identifier, but because names in the Bible often carry theological meaning. “John” means “God is gracious.”
- Matthew 1:21-23, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name ‘Jesus,’ for he will save his people from their sins…They shall call his name ‘Immanuel’ (which means: ‘God with us’).”

Insights

The single meaning of John 1:6 is that John the Baptist was divinely commissioned as a forerunner to prepare the way for Christ. His role was to bear witness to the Light (Jesus Christ) so that people might believe through his testimony.

Key Points

God Is Authoritative
- John Calvin: “The Evangelist briefly mentions that John was sent by God, implying that his authority comes from God. This is crucial for all teachers of the Church, whose authority to teach must be grounded in God’s calling.”
God Is Faithful
- By stating, “There came a man,” the text grounds John’s ministry in real history, emphasizing the concrete and historical unfolding of God’s salvation plan. This shows that God’s revelation is not merely abstract but involves real, human agents.
God Is Love
- John Calvin: “Though Christ declares he does not seek testimony from man (John 5:34), John’s testimony was for our sake, not Christ’s. John was a divinely authorized witness, sent by God, making his testimony powerful and credible.”
God Is Gracious
- John Calvin: “John’s name was given to him with divine purpose, as it was commanded by the angel. The name ‘Jehohannan’ (יהוחנן) could mean ‘acceptable to God,’ but it also points to the benefit others were to receive from his ministry as the herald of divine grace.”

Matthew Henry: “God gave him (John the Baptist) both his mission and his message, both his credentials and his instructions. John wrought no miracle, nor do we find that he had visions and revelations; but the strictness and purity of his life and doctrine, and the direct tendency of both to reform the world, and to revive the interests of God’s kingdom among men, were plain indications that he was sent of God.” (Matthew Henry’s Commentary)

Cross-References

“The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself. Therefore, when there is a question about the true and full meaning of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), that meaning must be searched out and ascertained by other places that speak more clearly.” (WCF 1.9)

John 20:31, “but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
- Albert Barnes: “Some have thought that the sole purpose of this gospel was to show that John the Baptist was not the Messiah. However, the main purpose was to show that Jesus was the Christ. To accomplish this, it was fitting, at the outset, to establish that John was not the Messiah.”
Malachi 3:1, “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.”
- This prophecy is fulfilled in John the Baptist, the messenger sent by God as stated in John 1:6, to prepare the way for Jesus, the Messiah.
Isaiah 40:3, “A voice cries: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.'”
- John 1:6 introduces John the Baptist, who fulfills this prophecy by preparing the way for Jesus, aligning with Isaiah’s prediction of a voice in the wilderness.
Luke 1:76-77, “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways.”
- Here, Zechariah prophesies about his son John the Baptist, affirming his role as the one sent by God to prepare the way for Christ, as seen in John 1:6.
Acts 19:4, “And Paul said, ‘John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.'”
- John’s role as a witness to Christ is echoed here, confirming his purpose in John 1:6 as the one sent to lead people to believe in Christ.

Tri-Perspectivalism

“In the ‘normative perspective,’ we ask the question, ‘What do God’s norms direct us to believe?’ In the ‘situational perspective,’ we ask, ‘What are the facts?’ In the ‘existential perspective,’ we ask, ‘What belief is most satisfying to a believing heart?’” (John Frame, Theology in Three Dimensions)

Normative PerspectiveWhat do God’s norms direct us to believe?

God’s Initiative in Salvation – John 1:6 highlights that God is the one who sends the messenger, John the Baptist, to prepare the way for Christ. This demonstrates the normative truth that God takes the initiative in revealing Himself and His plan of salvation to humanity. It aligns with the biblical doctrine of God’s sovereign grace, where He calls and commissions His servants to proclaim His message (cf. Isaiah 6:8And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8); Romans 10:15And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans 10:15))

Situational PerspectiveWhat are the facts?

Preparation for Christ’s Coming – The situation in John 1:6 shows the importance of preparation for the coming of Christ. John the Baptist was sent at a specific time to prepare Israel for the arrival of the Messiah. In our context, this reminds us that God prepares hearts and situations for His work. Even today, He sends people to proclaim His Word and prepare the way for others to encounter Christ (cf. Malachi 3:1“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.” (Malachi 3:1); Mark 1:2-3As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'” (Mark 1:2-3)).

Existential PerspectiveWhat belief is most satisfying to a believing heart?

Our Role as Witnesses – On a personal level, John 1:6 challenges us to consider our role in God’s redemptive plan. Just as John the Baptist was sent by God to testify about the Light, we too are called to bear witness to Christ in our own lives. Each believer has the responsibility to point others to Jesus, reflecting His light in a world of darkness. This calls for faithful obedience and a recognition of our place in God’s mission (cf. Matthew 5:14-16“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16); Acts 1:8“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)).

Illustrations

Applications

Faithfulness in Mission – John 1:6 speaks of John the Baptist being sent by God as a witness. Believers are reminded that their mission, like John’s, is not self-appointed but divinely commissioned. They are called to faithfully serve and testify to Christ in their unique spheres of influence.
Humility in Ministry – Just as John the Baptist recognized his role as a forerunner, not the Messiah, believers should embrace their God-given roles with humility, pointing others to Christ rather than seeking personal recognition or glory in ministry.
Testimony to the Light – John the Baptist’s primary task was to testify about the light (Christ). Believers are called to do the same, making their lives a clear witness to the gospel and pointing others to the saving grace found in Jesus.
Rest in God’s Sovereignty – The verse reminds believers that God is the one who raises up witnesses for His purposes. Christians can rest in God’s sovereignty, knowing that He equips and sends them for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom.
Preparation for Christ’s Coming – John was sent to prepare the way for Christ. Likewise, believers are called to live in readiness for Christ’s second coming, preparing themselves and others through faithful living and proclamation of the gospel.

Self-Examination

Unbelief – John the Baptist was sent by God to bear witness to Christ, yet many rejected him and the call to believe in Christ. How many times do we doubt God’s promises and neglect prayer？
Disobedience – John the Baptist exemplified obedience by faithfully fulfilling his mission. His commitment to God’s calling serves as a stark reminder of the sin of disobedience. How many times do we want to go our own ways?
Pride and Self-Righteousness – Many rejected John’s call for repentance due to self-righteousness, especially among religious leaders (Luke 3:7-9). This prideful attitude—believing one is spiritually sufficient without recognizing Christ—remains a pervasive sin today. Are we neglecting the call for repentance today by trusting in our own righteousness instead of relying on Christ?

Against Heresies

Against Docetism – Docetism teaches that Christ only appeared to be human but wasn’t truly incarnate. The verse highlights that John the Baptist was a real man, sent by God. This emphasizes that God works through real, physical humans in history, which sets the stage for affirming the true incarnation of Christ later in the chapter (John 1:14).
Against Marcionism – Marcionism rejected the Old Testament God and claimed that the God of the New Testament is a different, higher deity. John 1:6 directly contradicts this by showing continuity between the Old and New Testaments, where God, the same God of the Old Testament, sends John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus (Malachi 3:1; Isaiah 40:3).
Against Pelagianism – Pelagianism focuses on human free will for salvation. John 1:6 emphasizes that John was sent from God, demonstrating that divine initiative is necessary for accomplishing God’s purposes, showing that human action depends on God’s prior action and grace.

FAQ

How does John 1:6 reveal about God?
- John 1:6 reveals God’s active involvement in human history by sending John the Baptist as His chosen messenger to prepare the way for Christ, showing His sovereignty and purposeful plan of redemption. It also highlights God’s faithfulness in fulfilling Old Testament prophecies, as John’s role was divinely appointed and foretold. This verse underscores God’s deliberate actions in executing His redemptive plan, demonstrating His control over the course of events and His commitment to His promises.
How does John 1:6 point to Christ?
- John 1:6 introduces John the Baptist, a man sent by God, whose purpose was to bear witness to the Light—Christ. John the Baptist’s mission was not to be the Light himself, but to prepare people to recognize and believe in Christ, who is the true Light. This shows that God sent a special messenger to announce the coming of Christ, directing all attention to Jesus as the Savior.
Why did God send John the Baptist?
- God sent one person, John the Baptist, to fulfill a specific and unique role in redemptive history: to prepare the way for Christ. This shows God’s intentional and focused plan in salvation history. John’s mission was prophesied in the Old Testament (Malachi 3:1; Isaiah 40:3) as the forerunner of the Messiah. His singularity emphasizes the clarity and importance of his message pointing to Jesus as the promised Savior (John 1:23; Luke 1:17).
Did God give John the ability to perform miracles?
- No, God did not give John the Baptist the ability to perform miracles. As noted in John 10:41, “John did no sign.” While many prophets in the Old Testament were given the power to perform miracles, John’s ministry focused solely on proclaiming the message of repentance and preparing the way for Christ. His purpose was to point to Jesus, who performed the miracles, rather than to perform them himself.
Was John the Baptist related to Jesus?
- Yes, John the Baptist was a relative of Jesus. According to Luke 1:36, John’s mother, Elizabeth, and Jesus’ mother, Mary, were relatives. This family connection highlights their intertwined roles in God’s plan of salvation. While John prepared the way for Jesus (Luke 1:76-77), Jesus came as the fulfillment of the prophecies that John proclaimed.
Why was a name more important in the Bible than it is today?
- In biblical times, names were often given with prophetic significance, revealing something about a person’s character or God’s purpose for them (Genesis 17:5; Matthew 1:21). Names frequently reflected divine intervention, covenant promises, or specific roles in God’s redemptive plan. Today, while names may not hold the same prophetic meaning, the concept of identity remains central for Christians, as they are still called to live out their God-given purpose (Isaiah 43:1). However, modern naming conventions tend to focus more on personal or cultural preferences rather than divine significance.

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