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 by him; and without him was not any thing made that was 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 darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. ​

John the Baptist Sent as a Witness

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There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ​
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The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. ​
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He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
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That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. ​
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He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
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He came unto his own, and his own received him not. ​
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But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: ​
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Which 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 was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. ​
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John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. ​
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And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
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For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. ​
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No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. ​

John Testifies to the Authorities

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And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? ​
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And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
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And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. ​
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Then said they 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 the prophet Esaias. ​
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And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
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And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
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John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; ​
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He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
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These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Behold, the Lamb of God

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The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. ​
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This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred 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, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
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And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. ​
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And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
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And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. ​

Jesus Gathers His First Disciples

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Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
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And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he 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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Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? ​
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He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. ​
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One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
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He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. ​
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And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. ​
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The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
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Now Philip was of Bethsaida, 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, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. ​
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And Nathanael said unto him, Can there 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 that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. ​
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Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. ​
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Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under 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, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, 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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