John 1

The first chapter of John’s Gospel serves as a profound introduction to the nature and identity of Jesus Christ. It opens by establishing Jesus as the eternal Word of God who was with God and was God, setting a foundational understanding of His divinity. John also highlights the role of John the Baptist, who prepares the way for Jesus, and describes the significance of Jesus becoming flesh to dwell among humanity. This chapter introduces themes of light, life, and belief, inviting readers to understand Jesus as the source of spiritual truth and salvation.

John 1:1-5 (NKJV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John begins by identifying Jesus as the "Word" (Logos), a term that connects Jesus to God's creative power and wisdom. Jesus is portrayed as existing from the very beginning, coexisting with God and embodying God's divine essence. Through Him, all creation came into being, affirming His role as Creator. The "life" and "light" metaphors signify Jesus as the source of spiritual life and truth, illuminating a world that struggles to grasp or accept His divine light.

John 1:6-8 (NKJV)
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

John the Baptist is introduced here as a prophet sent by God with a clear purpose: to testify about Jesus, the true Light. John’s role was not to be the Light but to prepare the way for Jesus and encourage people to believe. By highlighting John’s mission, the passage emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus as the ultimate source of truth and salvation, with John as His forerunner.

John 1:9-13 (NKJV)
9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Jesus is described as the "true Light," meant for all humanity. Despite creating the world, He faced rejection from it, especially from His own people. Yet, those who accepted Him received the privilege of becoming God’s children—a spiritual rebirth initiated by God’s will rather than human effort. This passage reflects the transformative power of faith in Christ and the new identity believers receive as members of God's family.

John 1:14 (NKJV)
14 And the Word became 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.

This verse marks the incarnation, where Jesus, the eternal Word, took on human form to live among people. By becoming flesh, Jesus made God’s presence and nature visible to humanity. His glory, characterized by grace and truth, reveals both His divine origins and His compassion. This act of dwelling among humans underscores God’s desire to connect with humanity in a tangible way.

John 1:15-18 (NKJV)
15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’”
16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

John the Baptist testifies to Jesus’ preeminence, acknowledging that, although Jesus came after him in ministry, He is superior because of His eternal existence. Through Jesus, believers experience “grace upon grace,” highlighting the surpassing blessings available in Christ. Unlike the law given by Moses, Jesus embodies grace and truth, offering a fuller revelation of God’s character. Jesus, the Son, uniquely reveals the Father, bridging the gap between humanity and the unseen God.

John 1:19-28 (NKJV)
19 Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”
21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”
22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?”
23 He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
24 Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees.
25 And they asked him, saying, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26 John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know.
27 It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.”
28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

John the Baptist clarifies his role to the religious leaders who questioned his identity, denying that he is the Messiah, Elijah, or the expected Prophet. Instead, he identifies himself as the "voice" preparing the way for the Lord, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy. By baptizing with water, John’s mission is to prepare people for the One greater than him—Jesus—whose greatness John humbly acknowledges. This testimony reinforces John’s purpose as the forerunner, humbling himself before the Messiah’s significance.

John 1:29-34 (NKJV)
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’
31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”
32 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.
33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”

John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the “Lamb of God,” introducing Him as the one who will take away the sin of the world. This title connects Jesus to the sacrificial lambs used in Jewish worship, signifying His role in offering Himself to redeem humanity. John recalls that he recognized Jesus when he saw the Holy Spirit descend like a dove and remain on Him, a divine confirmation given to John by God. This moment not only validates Jesus' divine identity but also reveals His role as the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit, offering a deeper, spiritual transformation beyond physical baptism. John thus boldly declares Jesus as the Son of God, fulfilling his role as the one who prepares Israel to receive its Messiah.

John 1:35-39 (NKJV)
35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.
36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”
39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).

John the Baptist again points out Jesus as the "Lamb of God," prompting two of his disciples to follow Jesus. When Jesus notices them, He invites them to spend time with Him, allowing them to personally experience His presence and teaching. This moment marks the beginning of discipleship as they seek to know Jesus more deeply, highlighting the importance of a personal encounter with Him.

John 1:40-42 (NKJV)
40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ).
42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).

Andrew, one of the first disciples, immediately shares his discovery with his brother Simon, recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. Upon meeting Simon, Jesus gives him a new name, Cephas (or Peter), which means "rock." This renaming signifies the new identity and role Simon will take on as a foundational leader among Jesus’ followers, showing Jesus’ insight into his future calling.

John 1:43-46 (NKJV)
43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.”
44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46 And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

Jesus calls Philip to follow Him, and Philip in turn tells Nathanael, identifying Jesus as the fulfillment of the Scriptures. Nathanael initially doubts due to Jesus' association with Nazareth, a town with a humble reputation. Philip’s simple invitation to “come and see” reflects faith that an encounter with Jesus will dispel any doubts, emphasizing the transformative power of meeting Christ.

John 1:47-51 (NKJV)
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”
48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”
51 And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Jesus greets Nathanael with insight into his character, calling him an “Israelite indeed” and expressing knowledge of him even before they met. This supernatural knowledge convinces Nathanael of Jesus' divinity, prompting him to declare Jesus as the “Son of God” and “King of Israel.” Jesus assures Nathanael that he will witness even greater revelations, alluding to His role as the connection between heaven and earth, which echoes Jacob’s vision in Genesis. This promise foreshadows the divine truths and miraculous signs Nathanael and the other disciples will experience in their journey with Jesus.