17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
17 We got the basics from Moses, and then this exuberant giving and receiving, This endless knowing and understanding - all this came through Jesus, the Messiah.
17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
17 For the law was given through Moses, but God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.
46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.
46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.
46 If you believed, really believed, what Moses said, you would believe me. He wrote of me.
46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.
46 If you really believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me.
(Read John 5:45-47)
Many trust in some form of doctrines or some parties, who no more enter into the real meaning of those doctrines, or the views of the persons whose names they bear, than the Jews did into those of Moses. Let us search and pray over the Scriptures, as intent on finding eternal life; let us observe how Christ is the great subject of them, and daily apply to him for the life he bestows.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 1:17
Commentary on John 1:15-18
(Read John 1:15-18)
As to the order of time and entrance on his work, Christ came after John, but in every other way he was before him. The expression clearly shows that Jesus had existence before he appeared on earth as man. All fulness dwells in him, from which alone fallen sinners have, and shall receive, by faith, all that renders them wise, strong, holy, useful, and happy. Our receivings by Christ are all summed up in this one word, grace; we have received "even grace," a gift so great, so rich, so invaluable; the good will of God towards us, and the good work of God in us. The law of God is holy, just, and good; and we should make the proper use of it. But we cannot derive from it pardon, righteousness, or strength. It teaches us to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, but it cannot supply the place of that doctrine. As no mercy comes from God to sinners but through Jesus Christ, no man can come to the Father but by him; no man can know God, except as he is made known in the only begotten and beloved Son.