Matthew Poole and continuators on John 1:9

9 That was the true Light , which lighteth every man that cometh into the world .

True is sometimes opposed to what is false, Eph. 4.25. sometimes to what is Typical and Figurative, Iohn 1.17. Sometimes to what is not Original, and of it self; in Opposition to all these Christ is the True Light; he who alone deserved the name of Light, having Light in himself, and from himself, 1 Iohn 2.8. and shining more gloriously than the Prophets or Apostles.

He lighteth not the Iews only (as the Prophets of old) but both the Iews and Gentiles. Some understand this of the Light of Reason; but besides, that Reason is no where in Holy Writ called Light; neither did this illumination agree to Christ as Mediator. It is rather therefore to be understood of the Light of Gospel Revelation, which Christ caused to be made to all the World, Matth. 28.19. Mark 16.15. Those who Interpret it of the more internal illumination by the Holy Spirit of God, by which Christ is not revealed to us onely, but in us, say, That Christ hath done what lay in him (as a Minister of the Gospel) so to inlighten all that came into the World; and that Christ is said to inlighten every man, because none is inlightened but by him; and that some of all sorts are by him inlightned; in one of which two latter Senses, the terms All and Every man must be Interpreted in a multitude of Texts in the Gospel. The words in the Greek are so, as they may either be Translated as we read them, or thus, Who coming into the world, enlightned every man. A more universal Spiritual Light, or means to come to the Knowledg of God, overspreading the World after Christs coming, than before. So Iohn 12.46. I am come a Light into the World. And it is by some observed, that the Phrase, coming into the world, doth not barely signify a being born, but being sent into the world by the father, being sanctified, as in Iohn 10.36. and 17, 18.

Marginal references: Vers. 4.