John1

John 1 introduces Jesus as the eternal Word of God, the Creator and Light of men, who became flesh and dwelt among humanity, full of grace and truth. John the Baptist bears witness to him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, preparing the way for his ministry. Jesus then begins to gather his first disciples, revealing his divine knowledge and identity.
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The Eternal Word (Logos)

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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ​
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The same was in the beginning with God. ​
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All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. ​
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In him was life; and the life was the light of men. ​
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And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not. ​

John the Baptist Sent as a Witness

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There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. ​
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The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. ​
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He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light.
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There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world. ​
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He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not.
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He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not. ​
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But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name: ​
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who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

The Word Becomes Flesh

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And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth. ​
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John beareth witness of him, and crieth, saying, This was he of whom I said, He that cometh after me is become before me: for he was before me. ​
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For of his fulness we all received, and grace for grace.
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For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ​
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No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. ​

John Testifies to the Authorities

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And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent unto him from Jerusalem priests and Levites to ask him, Who art thou? ​
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And he confessed, and denied not; and he confessed, I am not the Christ.
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And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he saith, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No. ​
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They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
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He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet. ​
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And they had been sent from the Pharisees.
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And they asked him, and said unto him, Why then baptizest thou, if thou art not the Christ, neither Elijah, neither the prophet?
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John answered them, saying, I baptize in water: in the midst of you standeth one whom ye know not, ​
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even he that cometh after me, the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to unloose.
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These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Behold, the Lamb of God

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On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world! ​
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This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man who is become before me: for he was before me.
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And I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel, for this cause came I baptizing in water.
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And John bare witness, saying, I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven; and it abode upon him. ​
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And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize in water, he said unto me, Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and abiding upon him, the same is he that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit.
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And I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God. ​

Jesus Gathers His First Disciples

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Again on the morrow John was standing, and two of his disciples;
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and he looked upon Jesus as he walked, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God!
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And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
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And Jesus turned, and beheld them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? And they said unto him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), where abidest thou? ​
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He saith unto them, Come, and ye shall see. They came therefore and saw where he abode; and they abode with him that day: it was about the tenth hour. ​
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One of the two that heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
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He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, Christ). ​
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He brought him unto Jesus. Jesus looked upon him, and said, Thou art Simon the son of John: thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter). ​
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On the morrow he was minded to go forth into Galilee, and he findeth Philip: and Jesus saith unto him, Follow me.
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Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter.
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Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. ​
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And Nathanael said unto him, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. ​
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Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
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Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. ​
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Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art King of Israel. ​
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Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee underneath the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
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And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. ​

Study Notes for John 1

Verse 1

The term *Logos* (Word) refers to the divine reason and self-expression of God, connecting Greek philosophical concepts with the Jewish understanding of God's creative and revelatory power (Genesis 1; Psalm 33:6). The verse asserts Christ's pre-existence and deity.

Verse 2

Reiterates the intimate, pre-existent relationship between the Word and God the Father.

Verse 3

Emphasizes Christ's role as the divine agent in creation, affirming His full deity and sovereignty over all things (Colossians 1:16).

Verse 4

Life and light are linked; Jesus is the source of all existence (life) and spiritual understanding (light).

Verse 5

The darkness refers to the sinful world and human ignorance; 'comprehended' (*katalambanō*) can mean either 'to seize/overcome' or 'to understand.' The darkness failed on both counts.

Verse 6

John is introduced immediately to establish his supportive, non-divine role, contrasting him with the eternal Light.

Verse 7

John's sole purpose was to bear witness to the Light (Jesus), facilitating belief in Him.

Verse 9

The Word is the 'true Light,' contrasting with false lights or partial revelations, providing genuine spiritual illumination for humanity.

Verse 11

'His own' refers specifically to Israel, the chosen people, who largely rejected their Messiah.

Verse 12

Receiving Christ (belief in His name) results in adoption into God's family, a privilege granted by grace, not earned by human merit.

Verse 14

This verse is the climax of the Prologue: the doctrine of the Incarnation. 'Dwelt among us' uses the verb *eskēnōsen*, meaning 'tabernacled,' recalling God’s presence among Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 40).

Verse 15

John’s testimony confirms Christ’s pre-existence, asserting that despite being born later, Jesus ranks higher because He existed eternally before John.

Verse 17

Establishes a contrast between the Old Covenant (Law given by Moses) and the New Covenant (grace and truth realized in Jesus Christ).

Verse 18

Jesus, the 'only begotten Son' (or 'God only begotten' in some manuscripts), is the ultimate revealer of the invisible Father.

Verse 19

The 'Jews' refers specifically to the religious authorities in Jerusalem (priests and Levites), who were concerned about John's influence and authority.

Verse 21

The authorities questioned John about three expected figures: the Messiah (Christ), Elijah (Malachi 4:5), and the Prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15).

Verse 23

John defines his identity using Isaiah 40:3, establishing himself as the forerunner preparing the way for the Lord (Yahweh/Jesus).

Verse 26

John emphasizes that his water baptism is merely preparatory, contrasting it with the superior work of the Messiah.

Verse 29

This title links Jesus to the Passover lamb (Exodus 12) and the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53:7), identifying Him as the substitutionary sacrifice necessary for atonement.

Verse 32

The descent of the Spirit like a dove confirms Jesus' identity as the Messiah, fulfilling the sign given to John (v. 33).

Verse 34

John’s final recorded testimony in this passage is a clear declaration of Jesus’ divine status as the Son of God.

Verse 38

*Rabbi* means 'Master' or 'Teacher.' The disciples’ question indicates a desire for fellowship and instruction.

Verse 39

The 'tenth hour' (about 4:00 PM) marks the specific, memorable timing of their initial encounter and the beginning of their spiritual journey.

Verse 41

*Messias* is the Aramaic word for 'Anointed One,' equivalent to the Greek *Christos* (Christ). Andrew immediately shares his discovery, emphasizing personal testimony.

Verse 42

Jesus renames Simon 'Cephas' (Aramaic) or 'Peter' (Greek), meaning 'Rock,' signifying his future foundational role in the church.

Verse 45

Philip recognizes Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophetic promises written by Moses and the prophets (Luke 24:27).

Verse 46

Nathanael’s skeptical question reflects the low social or religious standing of Nazareth; it was not a place expected to produce the Messiah.

Verse 48

Jesus demonstrates supernatural knowledge of Nathanael's private activity and character ('under the fig tree'), proving His divine insight.

Verse 49

Nathanael’s confession is comprehensive, acknowledging Jesus as both divine ('Son of God') and political ('King of Israel').

Verse 51

This promise alludes to Jacob's ladder vision (Genesis 28:12). Jesus, as the Son of Man, is the true connecting link and mediator between God and humanity.

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