The Beginning
(Genesis 1:1–2; Hebrews 11:1–3)
The beginning of this prologue (1:1–5) might be...
The beginning of this prologue (1:1–5) might be a poem or hymn sung by the earliest Christians. The prologue’s themes—the coming of the light into the world, the rejection of the light, and its gift of new life to believers—prepares readers for the story that follows.
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.
God created light and dispelled the darkness (Gen...
God created light and dispelled the darkness (Gen 1:2–5). The darkness resists God (John 3:19–21; 12:35; Matt 6:23; Acts 26:17–18; Eph 4:17–19; 5:7–14; 2 Pet 1:19; 1 Jn 1:5–7; 2:9–11).
4In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome† it.
The Witness of John
God sent a man, John the Baptist, to...
God sent a man, John the Baptist, to herald Jesus’ coming and to prepare God’s people to receive Jesus as God’s Son and Messiah (see 1:19–37; Luke 1:5–25, 57–80; 3:1–22; see also Isa 40:3; Mal 4:5–6).
6There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. 8He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
9The true Light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. 11He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.
The Word Became Flesh
14The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.† We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son† from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’”
16From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and† is at the Father’s side,† has made Him known.
The Mission of John the Baptist
(Isaiah 40:1–5; Matthew 3:1–12; Mark 1:1–8; Luke 3:1–20)
Jesus reveals himself to the world through his...
Jesus reveals himself to the world through his miraculous signs and sermons. Audiences were divided: Some wanted to believe in him; others opposed him. This division intensifies as the book unfolds. Jesus ended his public ministry with a final appeal for people to believe in him (12:44–50).
John’s Gospel gives limited attention to John the...
John’s Gospel gives limited attention to John the Baptist compared to the synoptic Gospels (Matt 3:1–6; Mark 1:2–6; Luke 1:1–24, 57–80; 3:1–13). Yet the apostle John wants us to see that John the Baptist correctly identified and exalted Jesus. John the Baptist’s disciples leave him and follow Jesus; Jesus took over the ministry John began, increasing as John decreased (John 3:30).
19And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” 20He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.”
21“Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”
Then who are you? John the Baptist simply...
Then who are you? John the Baptist simply wanted to be known as a voice shouting in the wilderness (see Isa 40:3).
22So they said to him, “Who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“I am a voice of one calling in the wilderness,‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”†24Then the Pharisees who had been sent
Jewish baptisms were ritual washings for becoming ceremonially...
- Jewish baptisms were ritual washings for becoming ceremonially pure following contact with impurity (Lev 8:6; Num 19:7).
- John’s announcement of the Messiah’s arrival required that participants confess their sins and be baptized (Matt 3:6). Baptism later became the symbol of membership in Jesus’ kingdom (Acts 2:38; see also John 4:1–2).
25asked him, “Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26“I baptize with† water,” John replied, “but among you stands One you do not know. 27He is the One who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
28All this happened at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Jesus the Lamb of God
(Matthew 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22)
29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is He of whom I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ 31I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.”
32Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him. 33I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”†
The First Disciples
(Matthew 4:18–22; Mark 1:16–20; Luke 5:1–11)
This section introduces the template for discipleship in...
This section introduces the template for discipleship in John’s Gospel. Disciples desired to come and see Jesus (1:39), and when they encountered him, they remained with him.
35The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36When he saw Jesus walking by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37And when the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.
38Jesus turned and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked. They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are You staying?”
39“Come and see,” He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and spent that day with Him. It was about the tenth hour.†
Simon is well known in the Gospels, not...
Simon is well known in the Gospels, not for his courage and faith, but for his failings (see 18:15–18, 25–27). Jesus named him Cephas (“the rock”), referring to the great church leader he would later become (see Acts 1:1–5:42; 8:1–12:25; 15:1–41).
40Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s testimony and followed Jesus. 41He first found his brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated as Christ).
42Andrew brought him to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated as Peter).
Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael
Galilee was the region of northern Israel around...
43The next day Jesus decided to set out for Galilee. Finding Philip, He told him, “Follow Me.” 44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter.
45Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46“Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.
47When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.”
Jesus captured Nathanael’s attention by knowing his character...
Jesus captured Nathanael’s attention by knowing his character (1:47), then he captured his worship by supernaturally knowing his previous actions. Nathanael witnessed a miracle and took a remarkable step of faith.
48“How do You know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
49“Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
50Jesus said to him, “Do you believe just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51Then He declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”†