He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him all might believe — John the Baptist's entire purpose, stated explicitly, is to direct others toward Jesus. The word "testify" (martyreō) becomes crucial vocabulary in John's Gospel, distinguishing reliable, truthful witness from false testimony. The construction "so that all might believe through him" paradoxically grants the Baptist instrumental importance while denying him ultimate significance. This verse establishes the pattern: true witnesses point beyond themselves to Jesus.

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