Chapter 1:6-13 The Witness John

1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

Whose name was John — This was John the Baptist;

1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
That all men through him might believe. — He testified that Jesus was the true light-the true teacher of the way to the kingdom of glory, and the lamb or sacrifice of God, which was to bear away the sin of the world. 

Every Christian man should reckon that he is sent from God to bear witness to the great Light, that, through him, men might believe.

1:8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
Christ was the true Light, not as if John Baptist were a false light, but, in comparison with Christ, he was a very small light.

1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
Q: But how does Christ enlighten every man that comes into the world? 

(1.) By his creating power He enlightens every man with the light of reason; that life which is the light of men is from Him; all the discoveries and directions of reason, all the comfort it gives us, and all the beauty it puts upon us, are from Christ. 

(2.) By the publication of His gospel to all nations He does in effect enlighten every man.

1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.
Christ was in the world - He was in the world, as the essential Word, before His incarnation, upholding all things;

The world knew him not — αυτον ουκ εγνω - Did not acknowledge Him; for the Jewish rulers knew well enough that He was a teacher come from God; but they did not choose to acknowledge Him as such. Men love the world, and this love hinders them from knowing Him who made it, though he made it only to make Himself known.

1:11 He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. 

He came unto his own — τα ιδια - to those of His own family, city, country:-and His own people, οιιδιοι-His own citizens, brethren, subjects.

To receive Christ, a man must be born of God. 

It is the simplest thing in all the world, one would think, 

to open the door of the heart, and let Him in;

Received him not — Would not acknowledge Him as the Messiah, nor believe in Him for salvation. 

1:12 But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:
Gave He power — εξουσιαν, Privilege, honor, dignity, or right.

1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 

Which were born, not of blood — Who were regenerated, ουκ εξ αιματων, not of bloods-the union of father and mother, or of a distinguished or illustrious ancestry; for the Hebrew language makes use of the plural to point out the dignity or excellence of a thing: and probably by this the evangelist intended to show his countrymen, that having Abraham and Sarah for their parents would not entitle them to the blessings --- but in consequence of being born of God; prescribing salvation by Christ Jesus alone.