1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 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:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 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.
15 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.
16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 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.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38 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?
39 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.
40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
42 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.
43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 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.
46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
48 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.
49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
50 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.
51 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.
1 In G1722 the beginning G746 was G2258 the Word, G3056 and G2532 the Word G3056 was G2258 with G4314 God, G2316 and G2532 the Word G3056 was G2258 God. G2316
2 The same G3778 was G2258 in G1722 the beginning G746 with G4314 God. G2316
3 All things G3956 were made G1096 by G1223 him; G846 and G2532 without G5565 him G846 was G1096 not G3761 any thing G1520 made G1096 that G3739 was made. G1096
4 In G1722 him G846 was G2258 life; G2222 and G2532 the life G2222 was G2258 the light G5457 of men. G444
5 And G2532 the light G5457 shineth G5316 in G1722 darkness; G4653 and G2532 the darkness G4653 comprehended G2638 it G846 not. G3756
6 There was G1096 a man G444 sent G649 from G3844 God, G2316 whose G846 name G3686 was John. G2491
7 The same G3778 came G2064 for G1519 a witness, G3141 to G2443 bear witness G3140 of G4012 the Light, G5457 that G2443 all G3956 men through G1223 him G846 might believe. G4100
8 He was G2258 not G3756 that G1565 Light, G5457 but G235 was sent to G2443 bear witness G3140 of G4012 that Light. G5457
9 That was G2258 the true G228 Light, G5457 which G3739 lighteth G5461 every man G3956 G444 that cometh G2064 into G1519 the world. G2889
10 He was G2258 in G1722 the world, G2889 and G2532 the world G2889 was made G1096 by G1223 him, G846 and G2532 the world G2889 knew G1097 him G846 not. G3756
11 He came G2064 unto G1519 his own, G2398 and G2532 his own G2398 received G3880 him G846 not. G3756
12 But G1161 as many as G3745 received G2983 him, G846 to them G846 gave he G1325 power G1849 to become G1096 the sons G5043 of God, G2316 even to them that believe G4100 on G1519 his G846 name: G3686
13 Which G3739 were born, G1080 not G3756 of G1537 blood, G129 nor G3761 of G1537 the will G2307 of the flesh, G4561 nor G3761 of G1537 the will G2307 of man, G435 but G235 of G1537 God. G2316
14 And G2532 the Word G3056 was made G1096 flesh, G4561 and G2532 dwelt G4637 among G1722 us, G2254 (and G2532 we beheld G2300 his G846 glory, G1391 the glory G1391 as G5613 of the only begotten G3439 of G3844 the Father,) G3962 full G4134 of grace G5485 and G2532 truth. G225
15 John G2491 bare witness G3140 of G4012 him, G846 and G2532 cried, G2896 saying, G3004 This G3778 was he G2258 of whom G3739 I spake, G2036 He that cometh G2064 after G3694 me G3450 is preferred G1096 before G1715 me: G3450 for G3754 he was G2258 before G4413 me. G3450
16 And G2532 of G1537 his G846 fulness G4138 have G2983 all G3956 we G2249 received, G2983 and G2532 grace G5485 for G473 grace. G5485
17 For G3754 the law G3551 was given G1325 by G1223 Moses, G3475 but grace G5485 and G2532 truth G225 came G1096 by G1223 Jesus G2424 Christ. G5547
18 No man G3762 hath seen G3708 God G2316 at any time; G4455 the only begotten G3439 Son, G5207 which G3588 is G5607 in G1519 the bosom G2859 of the Father, G3962 he G1565 hath declared G1834 him.
19 And G2532 this G3778 is G2076 the record G3141 of John, G2491 when G3753 the Jews G2453 sent G649 priests G2409 and G2532 Levites G3019 from G1537 Jerusalem G2414 to G2443 ask G2065 him, G846 Who G5101 art G1488 thou? G4771
20 And G2532 he confessed, G3670 and G2532 denied G720 not; G3756 but G2532 confessed, G3670 G3754 I G1473 am G1510 not G3756 the Christ. G5547
21 And G2532 they asked G2065 him, G846 What G5101 then? G3767 Art G1488 thou G4771 Elias? G2243 And G2532 he saith, G3004 I am G1510 not. G3756 Art G1488 thou G4771 that prophet? G4396 And G2532 he answered, G611 No. G3756
22 Then G3767 said they G2036 unto him, G846 Who G5101 art thou? G1488 that G2443 we may give G1325 an answer G612 to them that sent G3992 us. G2248 What G5101 sayest thou G3004 of G4012 thyself? G4572
23 He said, G5346 I G1473 am the voice G5456 of one crying G994 in G1722 the wilderness, G2048 Make straight G2116 the way G3598 of the Lord, G2962 as G2531 said G2036 the prophet G4396 Esaias. G2268
24 And G2532 they which G3588 were sent G649 were G2258 of G1537 the Pharisees. G5330
25 And G2532 they asked G2065 him, G846 and G2532 said G2036 unto him, G846 Why G5101 baptizest thou G907 then, G3767 if G1487 thou G4771 be G1488 not G3756 that Christ, G5547 nor G3777 Elias, G2243 neither G3777 that prophet? G4396
26 John G2491 answered G611 them, G846 saying, G3004 I G1473 baptize G907 with G1722 water: G5204 but G1161 there standeth one G2476 among G3319 you, G5216 whom G3739 ye G5210 know G1492 not; G3756
27 He G846 it is, G2076 who G3739 coming G2064 after G3694 me G3450 is preferred G1096 before G1715 me, G3450 whose G3739 G846 shoe's G5266 latchet G2438 I G1473 am G1510 not G3756 worthy G514 to G2443 unloose. G3089
28 These things G5023 were done G1096 in G1722 Bethabara G962 beyond G4008 Jordan, G2446 where G3699 John G2491 was G2258 baptizing. G907
29 The next day G1887 John G2491 seeth G991 Jesus G2424 coming G2064 unto G4314 him, G846 and G2532 saith, G3004 Behold G2396 the Lamb G286 of God, G2316 which G3588 taketh away G142 the sin G266 of the world. G2889
30 This G3778 is he G2076 of G4012 whom G3739 I G1473 said, G2036 After G3694 me G3450 cometh G2064 a man G435 which G3739 is preferred G1096 before G1715 me: G3450 for G3754 he was G2258 before G4413 me. G3450
31 And I G2504 knew G1492 him G846 not: G3756 but G235 that G2443 he should be made manifest G5319 to Israel, G2474 therefore G1223 G5124 am G2064 I G1473 come G2064 baptizing G907 with G1722 water. G5204
32 And G2532 John G2491 bare record, G3140 saying, G3004 G3754 I saw G2300 the Spirit G4151 descending G2597 from G1537 heaven G3772 like G5616 a dove, G4058 and G2532 it abode G3306 upon G1909 him. G846
33 And I G2504 knew G1492 him G846 not: G3756 but G235 he that sent G3992 me G3165 to baptize G907 with G1722 water, G5204 the same G1565 said G2036 unto me, G3427 Upon G1909 whom G3739 G302 thou shalt see G1492 the Spirit G4151 descending, G2597 and G2532 remaining G3306 on G1909 him, G846 the same G3778 is G2076 he which baptizeth G907 with G1722 the Holy G40 Ghost. G4151
34 And I G2504 saw, G3708 and G2532 bare record G3140 that G3754 this G3778 is G2076 the Son G5207 of God. G2316
35 Again G3825 the next day after G1887 John G2491 stood, G2476 and G2532 two G1417 of G1537 his G846 disciples; G3101
36 And G2532 looking upon G1689 Jesus G2424 as he walked, G4043 he saith, G3004 Behold G2396 the Lamb G286 of God! G2316
37 And G2532 the two G1417 disciples G3101 heard G191 him G846 speak, G2980 and G2532 they followed G190 Jesus. G2424
38 Then G1161 Jesus G2424 turned, G4762 and G2532 saw G2300 them G846 following, G190 and saith G3004 unto them, G846 What G5101 seek ye? G2212 G1161 They said G2036 unto him, G846 Rabbi, G4461 (which G3739 is to say, G3004 being interpreted, G2059 Master,) G1320 where G4226 dwellest thou? G3306
39 He saith G3004 unto them, G846 Come G2064 and G2532 see. G1492 They came G2064 and G2532 saw G1492 where G4226 he dwelt, G3306 and G2532 abode G3306 with G3844 him G846 that G1565 day: G2250 for G1161 it was G2258 about G5613 the tenth G1182 hour. G5610
40 One G1520 of G1537 the two G1417 which G3588 heard G191 G3844 John G2491 speak, and G2532 followed G190 him, G846 was G2258 Andrew, G406 Simon G4613 Peter's G4074 brother. G80
41 He G3778 first G4413 findeth G2147 his own G2398 brother G80 Simon, G4613 and G2532 saith G3004 unto him, G846 We have found G2147 the Messias, G3323 which G3739 is, G2076 being interpreted, G3177 the Christ. G5547
42 And G2532 he brought G71 him G846 to G4314 Jesus. G2424 And G1161 when Jesus G2424 beheld G1689 him, G846 he said, G2036 Thou G4771 art G1488 Simon G4613 the son G5207 of Jona: G2495 thou G4771 shalt be called G2564 Cephas, G2786 which G3739 is by interpretation, G2059 A stone. G4074
43 The day following G1887 Jesus G2424 would G2309 go forth G1831 into G1519 Galilee, G1056 and G2532 findeth G2147 Philip, G5376 and G2532 saith G3004 unto him, G846 Follow G190 me. G3427
44 Now G1161 Philip G5376 was G2258 of G575 Bethsaida, G966 the city G4172 of G1537 Andrew G406 and G2532 Peter. G4074
45 Philip G5376 findeth G2147 Nathanael, G3482 and G2532 saith G3004 unto him, G846 We have found G2147 him, of whom G3739 Moses G3475 in G1722 the law, G3551 and G2532 the prophets, G4396 did write, G1125 Jesus G2424 of G575 Nazareth, G3478 the son G5207 of Joseph. G2501
46 And G2532 Nathanael G3482 said G2036 unto him, G846 Can G1410 there any G5100 good thing G18 come G1511 out of G1537 Nazareth? G3478 Philip G5376 saith G3004 unto him, G846 Come G2064 and G2532 see. G1492
47 Jesus G2424 saw G1492 Nathanael G3482 coming G2064 to G4314 him, G846 and G2532 saith G3004 of G4012 him, G846 Behold G2396 an Israelite G2475 indeed, G230 in G1722 whom G3739 is G2076 no G3756 guile! G1388
48 Nathanael G3482 saith G3004 unto him, G846 Whence G4159 knowest thou G1097 me? G3165 Jesus G2424 answered G611 and G2532 said G2036 unto him, G846 Before G4253 that Philip G5376 called G5455 thee, G4571 when thou wast G5607 under G5259 the fig tree, G4808 I saw G1492 thee. G4571
49 Nathanael G3482 answered G611 and G2532 saith G3004 unto him, G846 Rabbi, G4461 thou G4771 art G1488 the Son G5207 of God; G2316 thou G4771 art G1488 the King G935 of Israel. G2474
50 Jesus G2424 answered G611 and G2532 said G2036 unto him, G846 Because G3754 I said G2036 unto thee, G4671 I saw G1492 thee G4571 under G5270 the fig tree, G4808 believest thou? G4100 thou shalt see G3700 greater things G3187 than these. G5130
51 And G2532 he saith G3004 unto him, G846 Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Hereafter G737 G575 ye shall see G3700 heaven G3772 open, G455 and G2532 the angels G32 of God G2316 ascending G305 and G2532 descending G2597 upon G1909 the Son G5207 of man. G444
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not.
6 There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him.
8 He was not the light, but `came' that he might bear witness of the light.
9 There was the true light, `even the light' which lighteth every man, coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not.
12 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:
13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 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.
15 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.
16 For of his fulness we all received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared `him'.
19 And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent unto him from Jerusalem priests and Levites to ask him, Who art thou?
20 And he confessed, and denied not; and he confessed, I am not the Christ.
21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he saith, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No.
22 They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet.
24 And they had been sent from the Pharisees.
25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why then baptizest thou, if thou art not the Christ, neither Elijah, neither the prophet?
26 John answered them, saying, I baptize in water: in the midst of you standeth one whom ye know not,
27 `even' he that cometh after me, the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to unloose.
28 These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
29 On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world!
30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man who is become before me: for he was before me.
31 And I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel, for this cause came I baptizing in water.
32 And John bare witness, saying, I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven; and it abode upon him.
33 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.
34 And I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.
35 Again on the morrow John was standing, and two of his disciples;
36 and he looked upon Jesus as he walked, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God!
37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38 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 abideth thou?
39 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.
40 One of the two that heard John `speak', and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
41 He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, Christ).
42 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).
43 On the morrow he was minded to go forth into Galilee, and he findeth Philip: and Jesus saith unto him, Follow me.
44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 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.
46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
48 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.
49 Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art King of Israel.
50 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.
51 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.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God;
2 this one was in the beginning with God;
3 all things through him did happen, and without him happened not even one thing that hath happened.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men,
5 and the light in the darkness did shine, and the darkness did not perceive it.
6 There came a man -- having been sent from God -- whose name `is' John,
7 this one came for testimony, that he might testify about the Light, that all might believe through him;
8 that one was not the Light, but -- that he might testify about the Light.
9 He was the true Light, which doth enlighten every man, coming to the world;
10 in the world he was, and the world through him was made, and the world did not know him:
11 to his own things he came, and his own people did not receive him;
12 but as many as did receive him to them he gave authority to become sons of God -- to those believing in his name,
13 who -- not of blood nor of a will of flesh, nor of a will of man but -- of God were begotten.
14 And the Word became flesh, and did tabernacle among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of an only begotten of a father, full of grace and truth.
15 John doth testify concerning him, and hath cried, saying, `This was he of whom I said, He who after me is coming, hath come before me, for he was before me;'
16 and out of his fulness did we all receive, and grace over-against grace;
17 for the law through Moses was given, the grace and the truth through Jesus Christ did come;
18 God no one hath ever seen; the only begotten Son, who is on the bosom of the Father -- he did declare.
19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent out of Jerusalem priests and Levites, that they might question him, `Who art thou?'
20 and he confessed and did not deny, and confessed -- `I am not the Christ.'
21 And they questioned him, `What then? Elijah art thou?' and he saith, `I am not.' -- `The prophet art thou?' and he answered, `No.'
22 They said then to him, `Who art thou, that we may give an answer to those sending us? what dost thou say concerning thyself?'
23 He said, `I `am' a voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet.'
24 And those sent were of the Pharisees,
25 and they questioned him and said to him, `Why, then, dost thou baptize, if thou art not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?'
26 John answered them, saying, `I baptize with water, but in midst of you he hath stood whom ye have not known, this one it is who is coming after me, who hath been before me,
27 of whom I am not worthy that I may loose the cord of his sandal.'
28 These things came to pass in Bethabara, beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing,
29 on the morrow John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, `Lo, the Lamb of God, who is taking away the sin of the world;
30 this is he concerning whom I said, After me doth come a man, who hath come before me, because he was before me:
31 and I knew him not, but, that he might be manifested to Israel, because of this I came with the water baptizing.
32 And John testified, saying -- `I have seen the Spirit coming down, as a dove, out of heaven, and it remained on him;
33 and I did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water, He said to me, On whomsoever thou mayst see the Spirit coming down, and remaining on him, this is he who is baptizing with the Holy Spirit;
34 and I have seen, and have testified, that this is the Son of God.'
35 On the morrow, again, John was standing, and two of his disciples,
36 and having looked on Jesus walking, he saith, `Lo, the Lamb of God;'
37 and the two disciples heard him speaking, and they followed Jesus.
38 And Jesus having turned, and having beheld them following, saith to them, `What seek ye?' and they said to them, `Rabbi, (which is, being interpreted, Teacher,) where remainest thou?'
39 He saith to them, `Come and see;' they came, and saw where he doth remain, and with him they remained that day and the hour was about the tenth.
40 Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard from John, and followed him;
41 this one doth first find his own brother Simon, and saith to him, `We have found the Messiah,' (which is, being interpreted, The Anointed,)
42 and he brought him unto Jesus: and having looked upon him, Jesus saith, `Thou art Simon, the son of Jonas, thou shalt be called Cephas,' (which is interpreted, A rock.)
43 On the morrow, he willed to go forth to Galilee, and he findeth Philip, and saith to him, `Be following me.'
44 And Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter;
45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith to him, `Him of whom Moses wrote in the Law, and the prophets, we have found, Jesus the son of Joseph, who `is' from Nazareth;'
46 and Nathanael said to him, `Out of Nazareth is any good thing able to be?' Philip said to him, `Come and see.'
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming unto him, and he saith concerning him, `Lo, truly an Israelite, in whom guile is not;'
48 Nathanael saith to him, `Whence me dost thou know?' Jesus answered and said to him, `Before Philip's calling thee -- thou being under the fig-tree -- I saw thee.'
49 Nathanael answered and saith to him, `Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou art the king of Israel.'
50 Jesus answered and said to him, `Because I said to thee, I saw thee under the fig-tree, thou dost believe; greater things than these thou shalt see;'
51 and he saith to him, `Verily, verily, I say to you, henceforth ye shall see the heaven opened, and the messengers of God going up and coming down upon the Son of Man.'
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 received being through him, and without him not one [thing] received being which has received being.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light appears in darkness, and the darkness apprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, his name John.
7 He came for witness, that he might witness concerning the light, that all might believe through him.
8 *He* was not the light, but that he might witness concerning the light.
9 The true light was that which, coming into the world, lightens every man.
10 He was in the world, and the world had [its] being through him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came to his own, and his own received him not;
12 but as many as received him, to them gave he [the] right to be children of God, to those that believe on his name;
13 who have been born, not of blood, nor of flesh's will, nor of man's will, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we have contemplated his glory, a glory as of an only-begotten with a father), full of grace and truth;
15 (John bears witness of him, and he has cried, saying, This was he of whom I said, He that comes after me is preferred before me, for he was before me;)
16 for of his fulness we all have received, and grace upon grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses: grace and truth subsists 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* hath declared [him].
19 And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent from Jerusalem priests and Levites that they might ask him, Thou, who art thou?
20 And he acknowledged and denied not, and acknowledged, I am not the Christ.
21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he says, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No.
22 They said therefore to him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to those who sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
23 He said, I [am] [the] voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the path of [the] Lord, as said Esaias the prophet.
24 And they were sent from among the Pharisees.
25 And they asked him and said to him, Why baptisest thou then, if thou art not the Christ, nor Elias, nor the prophet?
26 John answered them saying, I baptise with water. In the midst of you stands, whom ye do not know,
27 he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to unloose.
28 These things took place in Bethany, across the Jordan, where John was baptising.
29 On the morrow he sees Jesus coming to him, and says, Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
30 He it is of whom I said, A man comes after me who takes a place before me, because he *was* before me;
31 and I knew him not; but that he might be manifested to Israel, therefore have I come baptising with water.
32 And John bore witness, saying, I beheld the Spirit descending as a dove from heaven, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not; but he who sent me to baptise with water, *he* said to me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and abiding on him, he it is who baptises with [the] Holy Spirit.
34 And I have seen and borne witness that this is the Son of God.
35 Again, on the morrow, there stood John and two of his disciples.
36 And, looking at Jesus as he walked, he says, Behold the Lamb of God.
37 And the two disciples heard him speaking, and followed Jesus.
38 But Jesus having turned, and seeing them following, says to them, What seek ye? And *they* said to him, Rabbi (which, being interpreted, signifies Teacher), where abidest thou?
39 He says to them, Come and see. They went therefore, and saw where he abode; and they abode with him that day. It was about the tenth hour.
40 Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard [this] from John and followed him.
41 He first finds his own brother Simon, and says to him, We have found the Messias (which being interpreted is Christ).
42 And he led him to Jesus. Jesus looking at him said, Thou art Simon, the son of Jonas; thou shalt be called Cephas (which interpreted is stone).
43 On the morrow he would go forth into Galilee, and Jesus finds Philip, and says to him, Follow me.
44 And Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip finds Nathanael, and says to him, We have found him of whom Moses wrote in the law, and the prophets, Jesus, the son of Joseph, who is from Nazareth.
46 And Nathanael said to him, Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Philip says to him, Come and see.
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and says of him, Behold [one] truly an Israelite, in whom there is no guile.
48 Nathanael says to him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said to him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee.
49 Nathanael answered and said to him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou art the King of Israel.
50 Jesus answered and said to him, Because I said to thee, I saw thee under the fig-tree, believest thou? Thou shalt see greater things than these.
51 And he says to him, Verily, verily, I say to you, Henceforth ye shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of man.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn't overcome{The word translated "overcome" (katelaben) can also be translated "comprehended." It refers to getting a grip on an enemy to defeat him.} it.
6 There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him.
8 He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light.
9 The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn't recognize him.
11 He came to his own, and those who were his own didn't receive him.
12 But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God's children, 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.
14 The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John testified about him. He cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.'"
16 From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
19 This is John's testimony, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"
20 He confessed, and didn't deny, but he confessed, "I am not the Christ."
21 They asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No."
22 They said therefore to him, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back 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 Isaiah the prophet said."
24 The ones who had been sent were from the Pharisees.
25 They asked him, "Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"
26 John answered them, "I baptize in water, but among you stands one whom you don't know.
27 He is the one who comes after me, who is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I'm not worthy to loosen."
28 These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
29 The next day, he saw Jesus coming to 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 didn't know him, but for this reason I came baptizing in water: that he would be revealed to Israel."
32 John testified, saying, "I have seen the Spirit descending like a dove out of heaven, and it remained on him.
33 I didn't recognize him, but he who sent me to baptize in water, he said to me, 'On whomever you will see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.'
34 I have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God."
35 Again, the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples,
36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!"
37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38 Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), "where are you staying?"
39 He said to them, "Come, and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about the tenth hour.{4:00 PM.}
40 One of the two who heard John, 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, being interpreted, Christ{"Messiah" (Hebrew) and "Christ" (Greek) both mean "Anointed One".}).
42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, "You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas" (which is by interpretation, Peter).
43 On the next day, he was determined to go out into Galilee, and he found Philip. Jesus said to him, "Follow me."
44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of 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 the prophets, wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
46 Nathanael said to him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said about him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!"
48 Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."
49 Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!"
50 Jesus answered him, "Because I told you, 'I saw you underneath the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these!"
51 He said to him, "Most assuredly, I tell you, hereafter you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
1 From the first he was the Word, and the Word was in relation with God and was God.
2 This Word was from the first in relation with God.
3 All things came into existence through him, and without him nothing was.
4 What came into existence in him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light goes on shining in the dark; it is not overcome by the dark.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 He came for witness, to give witness about the light, so that all men might have faith through him.
8 He himself was not the light: he was sent to give witness about the light.
9 The true light, which gives light to every man, was then coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, the world which came into being through him, but the world had no knowledge of him.
11 He came to the things which were his and his people did not take him to their hearts.
12 To all those who did so take him, however, he gave the right of becoming children of God--that is, to those who had faith in his name:
13 Whose birth was from God and not from blood, or from an impulse of the flesh and man's desire.
14 And so the Word became flesh and took a place among us for a time; and we saw his glory--such glory as is given to an only son by his father--saw it to be true and full of grace.
15 John gave witness about him, crying, This is he of whom I said, He who is coming after me is put over me because he was in existence before me.
16 From his full measure we have all been given grace on grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and the true way of life are ours through Jesus Christ.
18 No man has seen God at any time; the only Son, who is on the breast of the Father, he has made clear what God is.
19 And this is the witness of John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to him with the question, Who are you?
20 He said quite openly and straightforwardly, I am not the Christ.
21 And they said to him, What then? Are you Elijah? And he said, I am not. Are you the prophet? And his answer was, I am not.
22 So they said to him, Who are you then? We have to give some answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?
23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the waste land, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet.
24 Those who had been sent came from the Pharisees.
25 And they put this question to him, saying, Why then are you giving baptism if you are not the Christ, or Elijah, or the prophet?
26 John's answer was: I give baptism with water; but there is one among you of whom you have no knowledge;
27 It is he who is coming after me; I am not good enough to undo his shoes.
28 These things took place at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was giving baptism.
29 The day after, John sees Jesus coming to him and says, See, here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
30 This is he of whom I said, One is coming after me who is put over me because he was in existence before me.
31 I myself had no knowledge of him, but I came giving baptism with water so that he might be seen openly by Israel.
32 And John gave this witness, saying, I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove and resting on him.
33 I had no knowledge who he was, but he who sent me to give baptism with water said to me, The one on whom you see the Spirit coming down and resting, it is he who gives baptism with the Holy Spirit.
34 This I saw myself and my witness is that he is the Son of God.
35 The day after, John was there again with two of his disciples;
36 And looking at Jesus while he was walking he said, See, there is the Lamb of God!
37 Hearing what he said, the two disciples went after Jesus.
38 And Jesus, turning round, saw them coming after him and said to them, What are you looking for? They said to him, Rabbi (which is to say, Master), where are you living?
39 He said to them, Come and see. They went with him then and saw where he was living; and they were with him all that day: it was then about the tenth hour of the day.
40 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two men who, hearing what John said, went after Jesus.
41 Early in the morning he came across his brother and said to him, We have made discovery! It is the Messiah! (which is to say, the Christ).
42 And he took him to Jesus. Looking at him fixedly Jesus said, You are Simon, the son of John; your name will be Cephas (which is to say, Peter).
43 The day after this, Jesus had a desire to go into Galilee. He came across Philip and said to him, Come and be my disciple.
44 Now Philip's town was Beth-saida, where Andrew and Peter came from.
45 Philip came across Nathanael and said to him, We have made a discovery! It is he of whom Moses, in the law, and the prophets were writing, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
46 Nazareth! said Nathanael, Is it possible for any good to come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, Come and see.
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him and said of him, See, here is a true son of Israel in whom there is nothing false.
48 Nathanael said to him, Where did you get knowledge of me? In answer Jesus said, Before Philip was talking with you, while you were still under the fig-tree, I saw you.
49 Nathanael said to him, Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are King of Israel!
50 In answer Jesus said to him, You have faith because I said to you, I saw you under the fig-tree. You will see greater things than these.
51 And he said to him, Truly I say to you all, You will see heaven opening and God's angels going up and coming down on the Son of man.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on John 1
Commentary on John 1 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 1
Joh 1:1-14. The Word Made Flesh.
1. In the beginning—of all time and created existence, for this Word gave it being (Joh 1:3, 10); therefore, "before the world was" (Joh 17:5, 24); or, from all eternity.
was the Word—He who is to God what man's word is to himself, the manifestation or expression of himself to those without him. (See on Joh 1:18). On the origin of this most lofty and now for ever consecrated title of Christ, this is not the place to speak. It occurs only in the writings of this seraphic apostle.
was with God—having a conscious personal existence distinct from God (as one is from the person he is "with"), but inseparable from Him and associated with Him (Joh 1:18; Joh 17:5; 1Jo 1:2), where "THE Father" is used in the same sense as "God" here.
was God—in substance and essence God; or was possessed of essential or proper divinity. Thus, each of these brief but pregnant statements is the complement of the other, correcting any misapprehensions which the others might occasion. Was the Word eternal? It was not the eternity of "the Father," but of a conscious personal existence distinct from Him and associated with Him. Was the Word thus "with God?" It was not the distinctness and the fellowship of another being, as if there were more Gods than one, but of One who was Himself God—in such sense that the absolute unity of the God head, the great principle of all religion, is only transferred from the region of shadowy abstraction to the region of essential life and love. But why all this definition? Not to give us any abstract information about certain mysterious distinctions in the Godhead, but solely to let the reader know who it was that in the fulness of time "was made flesh." After each verse, then, the reader must say, "It was He who is thus, and thus, and thus described, who was made flesh."
2. The same, &c.—See what property of the Word the stress is laid upon—His eternal distinctness, in unity, from God—the Father (Joh 1:2).
3. All things, &c.—all things absolutely (as is evident from Joh 1:10; 1Co 8:6; Col 1:16, 17; but put beyond question by what follows).
without Him was not any thing—not one thing.
made—brought into being.
that was made—This is a denial of the eternity and non-creation of matter, which was held by the whole thinking world outside of Judaism and Christianity: or rather, its proper creation was never so much as dreamt of save by the children of revealed religion.
4. In Him was life—essentially and originally, as the previous verses show to be the meaning. Thus He is the Living Word, or, as He is called in 1Jo 1:1, 2, "the Word of Life."
the life … the light of men—All that in men which is true light—knowledge, integrity, intelligent, willing subjection to God, love to Him and to their fellow creatures, wisdom, purity, holy joy, rational happiness—all this "light of men" has its fountain in the essential original "life" of "the Word" (1Jo 1:5-7; Ps 36:9).
5. shineth in darkness, &c.—in this dark, fallen world, or in mankind "sitting in darkness and the shadow of death," with no ability to find the way either of truth or of holiness. In this thick darkness, and consequent intellectual and moral obliquity, "the light of the Word" shineth—by all the rays whether of natural or revealed teaching which men (apart from the Incarnation of the Word) are favored with.
the darkness comprehended it not—did not take it in, a brief summary of the effect of all the strivings of this unincarnate Word throughout this wide world from the beginning, and a hint of the necessity of His putting on flesh, if any recovery of men was to be effected (1Co 1:21).
6-9. The Evangelist here approaches his grand thesis, so paving his way for the full statement of it in Joh 1:14, that we may be able to bear the bright light of it, and take in its length and breadth and depth and height.
7. through him—John.
8. not that Light—(See on Joh 5:35). What a testimony to John to have to explain that "he was not that Light!" Yet was he but a foil to set it off, his night-taper dwindling before the Dayspring from on high (Joh 3:30).
9. lighteth every man, &c.—rather, "which, coming into the world, enlighteneth every man"; or, is "the Light of the world" (Joh 9:5). "Coming into the world" is a superfluous and quite unusual description of "every man"; but it is of all descriptions of Christ amongst the most familiar, especially in the writings of this Evangelist (Joh 12:46; 16:28; 18:37; 1Jo 4:9; 1Ti 1:15, &c.).
10-13. He was in the world, &c.—The language here is nearly as wonderful as the thought. Observe its compact simplicity, its sonorousness—"the world" resounding in each of its three members—and the enigmatic form in which it is couched, startling the reader and setting his ingenuity a-working to solve the stupendous enigma of Christ ignored in His own world. "The world," in the first two clauses, plainly means the created world, into which He came, says Joh 1:9; "in it He was," says this verse. By His Incarnation, He became an inhabitant of it, and bound up with it. Yet it "was made by Him" (Joh 1:3-5). Here, then, it is merely alluded to, in contrast partly with His being in it, but still more with the reception He met with from it. "The world that knew Him not" (1Jo 3:1) is of course the intelligent world of mankind. (See on Joh 1:11,12). Taking the first two clauses as one statement, we try to apprehend it by thinking of the infant Christ conceived in the womb and born in the arms of His own creature, and of the Man Christ Jesus breathing His own air, treading His own ground, supported by substances to which He Himself gave being, and the Creator of the very men whom He came to save. But the most vivid commentary on this entire verse will be got by tracing (in His matchless history) Him of whom it speaks walking amidst all the elements of nature, the diseases of men and death itself, the secrets of the human heart, and "the rulers of the darkness of this world" in all their number, subtlety, and malignity, not only with absolute ease, as their conscious Lord, but, as we might say, with full consciousness on their part of the presence of their Maker, whose will to one and all of them was law. And this is He of whom it is added, "the world knew Him not!"
11. his own—"His own" (property or possession), for the word is in the neuter gender. It means His own land, city, temple, Messianic rights and possessions.
and his own—"His own (people)"; for now the word is masculine. It means the Jews, as the "peculiar people." Both they and their land, with all that this included, were "His own," not so much as part of "the world which was made by Him," but as "THE HEIR" of the inheritance (Lu 20:14; see also on Mt 22:1).
received him not—nationally, as God's chosen witnesses.
12. But as many—individuals, of the "disobedient and gainsaying people."
gave he power—The word signifies both authority and ability, and both are certainly meant here.
to become—Mark these words: Jesus is the Son of God; He is never said to have become such.
the sons—or more simply, "sons of God," in name and in nature.
believe on his name—a phrase never used in Scripture of any mere creature, to express the credit given to human testimony, even of prophets or apostles, inasmuch it carries with it the idea of trust proper only towards God. In this sense of supreme faith, as due to Him who "gives those that believe in Himself power to become sons of God," it is manifestly used here.
13. Which were born—a sonship therefore not of mere title and privilege, but of nature, the soul being made conscious of the vital capacities, perceptions, and emotions of a child of God, before unknown.
not of blood, &c.—not of superior human descent, not of human generation at all, not of man in any manner of way. By this elaborate threefold denial of the human source of this sonship, immense force is given to what follows,
but of God—Right royal gift, and He who confers must be absolutely divine. For who would not worship Him who can bring him into the family, and evoke within him the very life, of the sons of God?
14. And the Word, &c.—To raise the reader to the altitude of this climax were the thirteen foregoing verses written.
was made flesh—BECAME MAN, in man's present frail, mortal condition, denoted by the word "flesh" (Isa 40:6; 1Pe 1:24). It is directed probably against the Docetæ, who held that Christ was not really but only apparently man; against whom this gentle spirit is vehement in his Epistles (1Jo 4:3; 2Jo 7, 10, 11), [Lucke, &c.]. Nor could He be too much so, for with the verity of the Incarnation all substantial Christianity vanishes. But now, married to our nature, henceforth He is as personally conscious of all that is strictly human as of all that is properly divine; and our nature is in His Person redeemed and quickened, ennobled and transfigured.
and dwelt—tabernacled or pitched his tent; a word peculiar to John, who uses it four times, all in the sense of a permanent stay (Re 7:15; 12:12; 13:6; 21:3). For ever wedded to our "flesh," He has entered this tabernacle to "go no more out." The allusion is to that tabernacle where dwelt the Shekinah (see on Mt 23:38, 39), or manifested "Glory of the Lord," and with reference to God's permanent dwelling among His people (Le 26:11; Ps 68:18; 132:13, 14; Eze 37:27). This is put almost beyond doubt by what immediately follows, "And we beheld his glory" [Lucke, Meyer, De Wette which last critic, rising higher than usual, says that thus were perfected all former partial manifestations of God in an essentially Personal and historically Human manifestation].
full of grace and truth—So it should read: "He dwelt among us full of grace and truth"; or, in Old Testament phrase, "Mercy and truth," denoting the whole fruit of God's purposes of love towards sinners of mankind, which until now existed only in promise, and the fulfilment at length of that promise in Christ; in one great word, "the SURE MERCIES of David" (Isa 55:3; Ac 13:34; compare 2Sa 23:5). In His Person all that Grace and Truth which had been floating so long in shadowy forms, and darting into the souls of the poor and needy its broken beams, took everlasting possession of human flesh and filled it full. By this Incarnation of Grace and Truth, the teaching of thousands of years was at once transcended and beggared, and the family of God sprang into Manhood.
and we beheld his glory—not by the eye of sense, which saw in Him only "the carpenter." His glory was "spiritually discerned" (1Co 2:7-15; 2Co 3:18; 4:4, 6; 5:16)—the glory of surpassing grace, love, tenderness, wisdom, purity, spirituality; majesty and meekness, richness and poverty, power and weakness, meeting together in unique contrast; ever attracting and at times ravishing the "babes" that followed and forsook all for Him.
the glory as of the only begotten of the Father—(See on Lu 1:35); not like, but "such as (belongs to)," such as became or was befitting the only begotten of the Father [Chrysostom in Lucke, Calvin, &c.], according to a well-known use of the word "as."
Joh 1:15. A Saying of the Baptist Confirmatory of This.
15. after me—in official manifestation.
before me—in rank and dignity.
for he was before me—in existence; "His goings forth being from of old, from everlasting" (Mic 5:2). (Anything lower than this His words cannot mean); that is, "My Successor is my Superior, for He was my Predecessor." This enigmatic play upon the different senses of the words "before" and "after" was doubtless employed by the Baptist to arrest attention, and rivet the thought; and the Evangelist introduces it just to clinch his own statements.
Joh 1:16-18. Same Subject Continued.
16. of his fulness—of "grace and truth," resuming the thread of Joh 1:14.
grace for grace—that is, grace upon grace (so all the best interpreters), in successive communications and larger measures, as each was able to take it in. Observe, the word "truth" is here dropped. "Grace" being the chosen New Testament word for the whole fulness of the new covenant, all that dwells in Christ for men.
17. For, &c.—The Law elicits the consciousness of sin and the need of redemption; it only typifies the reality. The Gospel, on the contrary, actually communicates reality and power from above (compare Ro 6:14). Hence Paul terms the Old Testament "shadow," while he calls the New Testament "substance" (Col 2:17) [Olshausen].
18. No man—"No one," in the widest sense.
hath seen God—by immediate gaze, or direct intuition.
in the bosom of the Father—A remarkable expression, used only here, presupposing the Son's conscious existence distinct from the Father, and expressing His immediate and most endeared access to, and absolute acquaintance with, Him.
he—emphatic; As if he should say, "He and He only hath declared Him," because He only can.
Joh 1:19-36. The Baptist's Testimony to Christ.
19. record—testimony.
the Jews—that is, the heads of the nation, the members of the Sanhedrim. In this peculiar sense our Evangelist seems always to use the term.
20. confessed, &c.—that is, While many were ready to hail him as the Christ, he neither gave the slightest ground for such views, nor the least entertainment to them.
21. Elias—in His own proper person.
that prophet—announced in De 18:15, &c., about whom they seem not to have been agreed whether he were the same with the Messiah or no.
25. Why baptizest thou, if not, &c.—Thinking he disclaimed any special connection with Messiah's kingdom, they demand his right to gather disciples by baptism.
26. there standeth—This must have been spoken after the baptism of Christ, and possibly just after His temptation (see on Joh 1:29).
28. Bethabara—Rather, "Bethany" (according to nearly all the best and most ancient manuscripts); not the Bethany of Lazarus, but another of the same name, and distinguished from it as lying "beyond Jordan," on the east.
29. seeth Jesus—fresh, probably, from the scene of the temptation.
coming unto him—as to congenial company (Ac 4:23), and to receive from him His first greeting.
and saith—catching a sublime inspiration at the sight of Him approaching.
the Lamb of God—the one God-ordained, God-gifted sacrificial offering.
that taketh away—taketh up and taketh away. The word signifies both, as does the corresponding Hebrew word. Applied to sin, it means to be chargeable with the guilt of it (Ex 28:38; Le 5:1; Eze 18:20), and to bear it away (as often). In the Levitical victims both ideas met, as they do in Christ, the people's guilt being viewed as transferred to them, avenged in their death, and so borne away by them (Le 4:15; 16:15, 21, 22; and compare Isa 53:6-12; 2Co 5:21).
the sin—The singular number being used to mark the collective burden and all-embracing efficacy.
of the world—not of Israel only, for whom the typical victims were exclusively offered. Wherever there shall live a sinner throughout the wide world, sinking under that burden too heavy for him to bear, he shall find in this "Lamb of God," a shoulder equal to the weight. The right note was struck at the first—balm, doubtless, to Christ's own spirit; nor was ever after, or ever will be, a more glorious utterance.
31-34. knew him not—Living mostly apart, the one at Nazareth, the other in the Judean desert—to prevent all appearance of collusion, John only knew that at a definite time after his own call, his Master would show Himself. As He drew near for baptism one day, the last of all the crowd, the spirit of the Baptist heaving under a divine presentiment that the moment had at length arrived, and an air of unwonted serenity and dignity, not without traits, probably, of the family features, appearing in this Stranger, the Spirit said to him as to Samuel of his youthful type, "Arise, anoint Him, for this is He!" (1Sa 16:12). But the sign which he was told to expect was the visible descent of the Spirit upon Him as He emerged out of the baptismal water. Then, catching up the voice from heaven, "he saw and bare record that this is the Son of God."
35. John stood—"was standing," at his accustomed place.
36. looking—having fixed his eyes, with significant gaze, on Jesus.
as he walked—but not now to him. To have done this once (see on Joh 1:29) was humility enough [Bengel].
Behold, &c.—The repetition of that wonderful proclamation, in identical terms and without another word, could only have been meant as a gentle hint to go after Him—as they did.
Joh 1:37-51. First Gathering of Disciples—John Andrew, Simon, Philip, Nathanael.
38. What seek ye—gentle, winning question, remarkable as the Redeemer's first public utterance. (See on Mt 12:18-20.)
where dwellest thou—that is, "That is a question we cannot answer in a moment; but had we Thy company for a calm hour in private, gladly should we open our burden."
39. Come and see—His second utterance, more winning still.
tenth hour—not ten A.M. (as some), according to Roman, but four P.M., according to Jewish reckoning, which John follows. The hour is mentioned to show why they stayed out the day with him—because little of it remained.
40. One … was Andrew—The other was doubtless our Evangelist himself. His great sensitiveness is touchingly shown in his representation of this first contact with the Lord; the circumstances are present to him in the minutest details; he still remembers the Very hour. But "he reports no particulars of those discourses of the Lord by which he was bound to Him for the whole of His life; he allows everything personal to retire" [Olshausen].
Peter's brother—and the elder of the two.
41. have found the Messias—The previous preparation of their simple hearts under the Baptist's ministry, made quick work of this blessed conviction, while others hesitated till doubt settled into obduracy. So it is still.
42. brought him to Jesus—Happy brothers that thus do to each other!
beheld him—fixed his eyes on him, with significant gaze (as Joh 1:36).
Cephas … stone—(See on Mt 16:18).
43. would go … into Galilee—for from His baptism He had sojourned in Judea (showing that the calling at the Sea of Galilee [Mt 4:18] was a subsequent one, see on Lu 5:1).
Follow me—the first express call given, the former three having come to Him spontaneously.
44. the city of Andrew and Peter—of their birth probably, for they seem to have lived at Capernaum (Mr 1:29).
45. Nathanael—(See on Mt 10:3).
Moses—(See Joh 5:46).
son of Joseph—the current way of speaking. (See Lu 3:23).
46. any good out of Nazareth—remembering Bethlehem, perhaps, as Messiah's predicted birthplace, and Nazareth having no express prophetic place at all, besides being in no repute. The question sprang from mere dread of mistake in a matter so vital.
Come and see—Noble remedy against preconceived opinions [Bengel]. Philip, though he could not perhaps solve his difficulty, could show him how to get rid of it. (See on Joh 6:68).
47. an Israelite indeed … no guile—not only no hypocrite, but with a guileless simplicity not always found even in God's own people, ready to follow wherever truth might lead him, saying, Samuel-like, "Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth" (1Sa 3:10).
48. Whence knowest thou me—conscious that his very heart had been read, and at this critical moment more than ever before.
Before Philip called thee—showing He knew all that passed between Philip and him at a distance.
when … under the fig tree, &c.—where retirement for meditation and prayer was not uncommon [Lightfoot]. Thither, probably—hearing that his master's Master had at length appeared, and heaving with mingled eagerness to behold Him and dread of deception—he had retired to pour out his guileless heart for light and guidance, ending with such a prayer as this, "Show me a token for good!" (See on Lu 2:8). Now he has it, "Thou guileless one, that fig tree scene, with all its heaving anxieties, deep pleadings and tremulous hopes—I saw it all." The first words of Jesus had astonished, but this quite overpowered and won him.
49. Son of God … King of Israel—the one denoting His person, the other His office. How much loftier this than anything Philip had said to him! But just as the earth's vital powers, the longer they are frost-bound, take the greater spring when at length set free, so souls, like Nathanael and Thomas (see on Joh 20:28), the outgoings of whose faith are hindered for a time, take the start of their more easy-going brethren when loosed and let go.
50, 51. Because I said, &c.—"So quickly convinced, and on this evidence only?"—an expression of admiration.
51. Hereafter, &c.—The key to this great saying is Jacob's vision (Ge 28:12-22), to which the allusion plainly is. To show the patriarch that though alone and friendless on earth his interests were busying all heaven, he was made to see "heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon a" mystic "ladder reaching from heaven to earth." "By and by," says Jesus here, "ye shall see this communication between heaven and earth thrown wide open, and the Son of man the real Ladder of this intercourse."