Greek
εγενετο ανθρωπος απεσταλμενος παρα θεου ονομα αυτω ιωαννης
there came a man sent from God. The name to him: John
Latin
fuit homo missus a Deo cui nomen erat Iohannes
DRB: There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
English Translations with variant readings:
NEB: There appeared a man named John, sent from God;
NASB: There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.
CEV: God sent a man named John,
EMPH: There arose a man､ sent from God, whose name was John
GNB: God sent his messenger, a man named John,
TM: There once was a man, his name John, sent by God
Comments and Commentaries:
This is the only Gospel that does not call this man “John the Baptist.” This gospel just calls him a man named “John.” I expect that’s because the writer of this Gospel is also named John and he doesn’t feel it’s necessary to distinguish between himself and the baptizer. He speaks very little of himself.
The fact that it’s emphasized that John was “sent from God.” Is interesting and as some commentators observe it puts him in the same category as Moses in a way. We all come from God but John came from God with a specific purpose to accomplish. I might argue, don’t we all?
CLV (Chuck Larsen Version): God sent a man named John.