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.

The Eternal Word (Logos)

1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ​
2
He was with God in the beginning. ​
3
All things came to be through him, and without him nothing made had being. ​
4
In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. ​
5
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not suppressed it. ​

John the Baptist Sent as a Witness

6
There was a man sent from God whose name was Yochanan. ​
7
He came to be a testimony, to bear witness concerning the light; so that through him, everyone might put his trust in God and be faithful to him. ​
8
He himself was not that light; no, he came to bear witness concerning the light.
9
This was the true light, which gives light to everyone entering the world. ​
10
He was in the world — the world came to be through him — yet the world did not know him.
11
He came to his own homeland, yet his own people did not receive him. ​
12
But to as many as did receive him, to those who put their trust in his person and power, he gave the right to become children of God, ​
13
not because of bloodline, physical impulse or human intention, but because of God.

The Word Becomes Flesh

14
The Word became a human being and lived with us, and we saw his Sh’khinah, the Sh’khinah of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. ​
15
Yochanan witnessed concerning him when he cried out, “This is the man I was talking about when I said, ‘The one coming after me has come to rank ahead of me, because he existed before me.’” ​
16
We have all received from his fullness, yes, grace upon grace.
17
For the Torah was given through Moshe; grace and truth came through Yeshua the Messiah. ​
18
No one has ever seen God; but the only and unique Son, who is identical with God and is at the Father’s side — he has made him known. ​

John Testifies to the Authorities

19
Here is Yochanan’s testimony: when the Judeans sent cohanim and L’vi’im from Yerushalayim to ask him, “Who are you?” ​
20
he was very straightforward and stated clearly, “I am not the Messiah.”
21
“Then who are you?” they asked him. “Are you Eliyahu?” “No, I am not,” he said. “Are you ‘the prophet,’ the one we’re expecting?” “No,” he replied. ​
22
So they said to him, “Who are you? — so that we can give an answer to the people who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”
23
He answered in the words of Yesha‘yahu the prophet, “I am The voice of someone crying out: ‘In the desert make the way of Adonai straight!’” ​
24
Some of those who had been sent were P’rushim.
25
They asked him, “If you are neither the Messiah nor Eliyahu nor ‘the prophet,’ then why are you immersing people?”
26
To them Yochanan replied, “I am immersing people in water, but among you is standing someone whom you don’t know. ​
27
He is the one coming after me — I’m not good enough even to untie his sandal!”
28
All this took place in Beit-Anyah, east of the Yarden, where Yochanan was immersing.

Behold, the Lamb of God

29
The next day, Yochanan saw Yeshua coming toward him and said, “Look! God’s lamb! The one who is taking away the sin of the world! ​
30
This is the man I was talking about when I said, ‘After me is coming someone who has come to rank above me, because he existed before me.’
31
I myself did not know who he was, but the reason I came immersing with water was so that he might be made known to Isra’el.”
32
Then Yochanan gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove, and remaining on him. ​
33
I myself did not know who he was, but the one who sent me to immerse in water said to me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining, this is the one who immerses in the Ruach HaKodesh.’
34
And I have seen and borne witness that this is the Son of God.” ​

Jesus Gathers His First Disciples

35
The next day, Yochanan was again standing with two of his talmidim.
36
On seeing Yeshua walking by, he said, “Look! God’s lamb!”
37
His two talmidim heard him speaking, and they followed Yeshua.
38
Yeshua turned and saw them following him, and he asked them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi!” (which means “Teacher!”) “Where are you staying?” ​
39
He said to them, “Come and see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and remained with him the rest of the day — it was about four o’clock in the afternoon. ​
40
One of the two who had heard Yochanan and had followed Yeshua was Andrew the brother of Shim‘on Kefa.
41
The first thing he did was to find his brother Shim‘on and tell him, “We’ve found the Mashiach!” (The word means “one who has been anointed.”) ​
42
He took him to Yeshua. Looking at him, Yeshua said, “You are Shim‘on Bar-Yochanan; you will be known as Kefa.” (The name means “rock.”) ​
43
The next day, having decided to leave for the Galil, Yeshua found Philip and said, “Follow me!”
44
Philip was from Beit-Tzaidah, the town where Andrew and Kefa lived.
45
Philip found Natan’el and told him, “We’ve found the one that Moshe wrote about in the Torah, also the Prophets — it’s Yeshua Ben-Yosef from Natzeret!” ​
46
Natan’el answered him, “Natzeret? Can anything good come from there?” “Come and see,” Philip said to him. ​
47
Yeshua saw Natan’el coming toward him and remarked about him, “Here’s a true son of Isra’el — nothing false in him!”
48
Natan’el said to him, “How do you know me?” Yeshua answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” ​
49
Natan’el said, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Isra’el!” ​
50
Yeshua answered him, “you believe all this just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than that!”
51
Then he said to him, “Yes indeed! I tell you that you will see heaven opened and the angels of God going up and coming down on 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.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options