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 has been made.

4
In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.

5
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6
There came a man sent from God, whose name was John;

7
he came as a witness, to bear witness about that light, so that through him all might believe.

8
He was not that light, but he came to bear witness about that light.

9
The true light, which gives light to every person, was coming into the world.

10
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him.

11
He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.

12
But to all who received Him, 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.

14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

15
John bore witness about Him and cried out, saying, “This is the One of whom I said, ‘After me comes One who is before me, because He was before me.'”

16
For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace;

17
for the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

18
No one has ever seen God; the only Son of God, who is in the Father’s bosom, He has made Him known.

19
And this is John’s testimony when the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?”

20
He confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”

21
Then they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet who is to come?” And he answered, “No.”

22
So they said to him, “Who are you? We must give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

23
He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord!” as the prophet Isaiah said.

24
And among those who had been sent there were some Pharisees.

25
They asked him, saying, “Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet who is to come?”

26
John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water; but among you stands One whom you do not know,

27
even He who comes after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.”

28
These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

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 has gone before me, because He was before me.’

31
And I myself did not know Him at first, but for this reason I came baptizing with water, that He might be revealed to Israel.”

32
And John bore witness, saying, “I have seen the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.

33
And I myself did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’

34
And I have seen and have borne witness: this is the Son of God.”

35
The next day John was standing there again with two of his disciples.

36
And when he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”

37
The two disciples heard what he said, and they followed Jesus.

38
But Jesus turned and saw that they were following Him, and said to them, “What are you seeking?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (that is, Teacher), “where are You staying?”

39
He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where He was staying, and that day they remained with Him; it was about the fourth hour.

40
One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

41
Andrew first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, Christ).

42
He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon, son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (that is, Peter).

43
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me!”

44
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 wrote in the Law, and also the prophets: Jesus, the son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”

46
Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

47
Philip said to him, “Come and see!” Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said about him, “Look, here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit!”

48
Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”

49
Nathanael answered 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
Then Jesus said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

📖 John 1 – The Word Made Flesh

🧾 Summary of John 1

The first chapter of the Gospel of John presents a deep theological prologue about Jesus Christ as the eternal Word (Logos), who became flesh. John also introduces the testimony of John the Baptist and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry before His disciples.

1. The Eternal Word (verses 1–5)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

• The Word (Greek: Logos) existed before all things.
• The Word is the creator, source of life, and light for humanity.
• Darkness could not overcome the light.

👉 Meaning:
Jesus is not only a teacher—He is God Himself, eternal and the creator of the universe.

2. John the Baptist as Witness (verses 6–8, 15–28)

• God sent John as a witness to introduce that light, namely the Messiah.
• John was not the Messiah, but a voice crying out in the wilderness, as Isaiah had prophesied.
• He pointed to Jesus and said:

“Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

👉 Meaning:
True ministry is not about oneself, but about pointing to Jesus.

3. The Word Became Human (verses 9–14)

“The Word became human, and dwelt among us.”

• The true light came into the world, but the world did not know Him.
• To those who believed in Him, power was given to become children of God.
• The Word becoming flesh (incarnation) is the highest point of God’s love.

👉 Meaning:
God came directly in human form to save us. This is the greatest mystery and love.

4. Jesus Calls the First Disciples (verses 35–51)

• John pointed Jesus out to two of his disciples (Andrew and possibly John himself).
• Andrew brought Simon Peter to Jesus.
• Jesus called Philip and Nathanael.
• Nathanael testified:

“Rabbi, You are the Son of God, You are the King of Israel!”

👉 Meaning:
A personal encounter with Jesus changes life and leads to a true confession of faith.

📘 Main Teachings of John 1

1. Jesus is the eternal Word of God and is God Himself.
2. He is the Creator and the source of true life.
3. Jesus came into the world, but many rejected Him.
4. Everyone who receives Him is given power to become children of God.
5. Faith arises from testimony and personal encounter with Jesus.

✨ Spiritual Meaning of John 1

• The faith of Christ’s followers begins with the confession of who Jesus truly is—not only a teacher or prophet, but God who became human.
• Light and life can be found only in Jesus.
• We are called to be witnesses like John the Baptist, pointing others to Jesus.
• Faith is a personal response, not merely the passing on of tradition.
• To be a disciple means following and introducing Jesus to others.