for a witness Better, for witness, i.e. to bear witness, not to be a witness: what follows shews the meaning. The word -witness" and -to bear witness" are very frequent in S. John's writings, and this frequency should be marked by retaining the same translation throughout: testimony to the truth is one of his favourite thoughts.

through him i.e. through the Baptist, the Herald of the Truth. Comp. John 5:33; Acts 10:37; Acts 13:24.

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