John 1 - The Word of God Became Flesh

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In the beginning (of the ages), was the Word (already pre-existent), and the Word (Christ), was with God, and the Word was God. Here "ages" refers to "eons," millions of years ago before anything existed. The Word (Logos), as well as the worlds were prepared by Him. (Hebrews 1:2, 11:3). However, the Word had no beginning. (1 John 1:1). We have seen and touched the Word of Life, Jesus Christ who was from the beginning. (Christ was the Word in the beginning). Just as God's elect were chosen in the beginning. (Psalm 90:2, Proverbs 8:23, Ephesians 1:4). Chosen before this world age. Who were the ones chosen at this time? Those who fought and stood against Satan in the first world age. (Again, God's elect). They were justified in the first earth age. (Romans 8:27-33). If you did not know that there was a earth age before this one, read our study topic titled "Three Earth Ages," and appendix 146, The foundation of the world, of the King James Companion Bible. As the spoken word reveals the invisible thought, so the "Living Word" reveals the invisible God. (Implying personal presence and relation). "The Word was God." (Denotes the conception of God as Infinite, Eternal, Perfect, Almighty).

Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. This Word was the beginning with God. i.e. He (Christ), existed in the beginning with God.

Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him. (Hebrews 1:2, Colossians 1:16). Christ Himself is the creator of all things in heaven and earth. Even in the spirit world that are invisible to us, were all made by Christ. All was made for His use and glory. (Romans 11:36). 

Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. The Word gave life to everything that was created. (Psalm 36:9, 1 John 5:11-12). Through the Word of God, (His record). God has given us eternal life through Christ. Your choice! Eternal life through Christ, or death through Satan. Yes, the devil holds the power of death! (Hebrews 2:14). But, Satan's power was broken by the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Stay in Christ and you never need to fear death.

Joh 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. This "light" (Christ is light), shines in darkness (Satan is darkness), and "darkness" can never extinguish it. (Overpowered Him not). (1 Thessalonians 5:5). We are children of the light, because Christ is the light. He has no darkness in Him. Satan is a child of the night and darkness.

Joh 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. Now we are speaking of John the Baptist, who was sent by God. (Malachi 3:1). I will send you a messenger and he will prepare the way for the Lord. (Mark 1:2-3). Again, speaking of John the Baptist. He would prepare the way of the Lord. (Matthew 11:10-11, Luke 1:76, 7:26-28, John 1:6-7, Isaiah 40:3-5). His message was to repent and be baptized. (Matthew 3:1-3, Luke 1:16-17).

Joh 1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. John the Baptist was sent with a view to bearing witness; not merely to be a witness. "Sent to tell about the light so everyone might believe because of his testimony." (Acts 19:4). Paul explained that those receiving John's baptism must go on to believe in Jesus. John told them that Jesus would be the one to come later as the Messiah.

Joh 1:8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. John the Baptist was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light, Jesus Christ. 

Joh 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. The "One" who is the true "Light," to everyone, was coming into the world. (1 John 5:20). "The one and only true God."

Joh 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came into the very world He created, but the world didn't recognize Him. (1 John 3:1). Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He calls us His children. Since most people of the world do not truly know God, they do not understand that we are His children. (They don't recognize Him).

Joh 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. Christ came to His own people (Israel), and even they rejected Him. (Matthew 21:33-46). Read the parable of "The Wicked Husbandmen."

Joh 1:12 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: However, those who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. (Hosea 1:10, Galatians 3:26, Galatians 4:6, 1 John 3:1). Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He calls us His children. Again, since most people of the world do not truly know God, they do not understand that we are His children. We are all Children of God (both Jew and Gentile), through faith in Jesus Christ.

Joh 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Lets break this down a little. "Not of blood," (It is not because your parents were God's children). "Will of the flesh," or the "will of man," (You don't earn your way to become a child of God). "But of God," (We receive Him and believe in Him, and it is God who accepts you as His child). (1 John 5:1). If you believe that Christ is the Son of God (born from above, of the spirit), then you are a child of God. "When you love Christ you love the Father."

Joh 1:14 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. The Word (Jesus Christ), became human and made His home among us. "Emmanuel, God with us." (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:20-23). He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. (1 Timothy 1:14-16). We beheld His Glory. "The Shekinah Glory." (Luke 9:32, 2 Peter 1:17). "This is my beloved Son," who brings me great joy.

Joh 1:15 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. John the Baptist testified about Him when he shouted to the crowds. "This is the One I was talking about when I said; Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for He existed long before me." (Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:7, Luke 3:16). Yes, John was speaking of Jesus Christ.

Joh 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. From His abundance we receive all our blessings. "Blessings to further the His ministry." (Ephesians 4:7-12). Christ has given each of us special abilities. (Special gift He gives us to further His cause). The sent forth ones; some are teachers, some are seed planters, some for winning people to Christ, and some for caring for God's people. 

Joh 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Moses being the law giver to the people, but God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 11:39-40). All these people had a good reputation because of their faith, but none of them received all that God had promised. (Hebrews 11:13, Luke 10:23-24). God had something better in mind for us. Jesus Christ, whom God has sent forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood for the remission of sins. A better hope that the law could not accomplish. (Hebrews 5:9, 7:19, 7:22, 8:6, 9:23, 12:23-24). White robes will be given to every one who had the faith. (Revelation 6:11).  

Joh 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. No one has ever seen God. But, Jesus Christ the only begotten Son, is near to the Father's heart, and has revealed God to us. (1 John 5:20). Again, the one and only true God. (Not the fake antichrist that comes first to deceive the world).

Joh 1:19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? This was the testimony of John when the Jewish leaders sent the priests and temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, "Who are you?" (Luke 3:15-18, Acts 13:25). John was not the Messiah like they thought, but told them of the coming Messiah (Jesus), whose shoes on His feet, he was not worthy to wear.

Joh 1:20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. John came right out and said, "I am not the Messiah."

Joh 1:21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. Who are you then? They asked. "Are you Elijah?" Referring to (Malachi 4:5). "No," he replied. "Are you the prophet we are expecting?" Referring to (Deuteronomy 18:18). "No," he replied.

Joh 1:22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? They wanted an answer about who he was for those who sent them.

Joh 1:23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. John replied with the words of the prophet Isaiah: "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." (Isaiah 40:3-5). 

Joh 1:24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. Trouble from those religious leaders who think they know it all.

Joh 1:25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? "If you aren't the Messiah, or Elijah, or a Prophet, what gives you the right to baptize?" 

Joh 1:26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; John the Baptist told them, "I baptize with water, but right in front of you in the crowd is someone you do not recognize."

Joh 1:27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. Though His ministry follows mine, "I am not even worthy to be His slave and untie His sandals." (Luke 3:16).

Joh 1:28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. This encounter took place where John was baptizing the people.   

Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look." "It is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." (Isaiah 53:7, Acts 8:32, 1 Peter 1:19).

Joh 1:30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. This is the man I have spoken of before, who is far greater than I am. He existed long before me. (Even though John the Baptist was physically born before Christ, Jesus being the Word existed long before John).

Joh 1:31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. "I did not even recognize Him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that He might be revealed to Israel." 

Joh 1:32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. John testified, "I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon Him." (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22).

Joh 1:33 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. I didn't know He was the One. But, when God sent me to baptize with water, He told me that the One that the Holy Spirit descend and rest upon, is the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:5).

Joh 1:34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. "I saw it happen to Jesus, so I testify that He is the Chosen One of God." 

Joh 1:35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; The following day John was standing with two of his disciples.

Joh 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! Jesus walked by, and John looked at Him (with a fixed gaze), and said. "Look." "There is the Lamb of God."

Joh 1:37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. When the two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.

Joh 1:38 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? Jesus noticed that the two disciples were following Him and asked them. What do you want? They replied, "Rabbi" (meaning teacher), where are you staying?"

Joh 1:39 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. "Come and see Jesus replied." It was around 4:00 in the afternoon when they went with Him to the place where He was staying, and they spent the rest of the day with Him. (What an awesome invitation these two disciples had to spend the day personally with Jesus). "We have that same personal invitation from Jesus, and He will abide and sup with us." (Revelation 3:20). "Just knock at the door and He will answer."

Joh 1:40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. Andrew, brother of Simon Peter was one of the disciples who had followed Jesus. 

Joh 1:41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. "Andrew went to his brother Simon and told him that they have found the Messiah," (meaning Christ, the anointed One).

Joh 1:42 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. Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Jesus looked at Him and said; "Your name is Simon, son of John, but you will be called Cephas," meaning Peter. (Mark 3:16). 

Joh 1:43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. When Jesus decided to go to Galilee the next day, He came upon Philip and said to him, "Come follow Me."

Joh 1:44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip was from the same home town (Bethsaida), as Andrew and Peter. 

Joh 1:45 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. Philip went to look for Nathanael (meaning gift of God, and generally identified with Bartholomew), and told him about the Jesus the Messiah. "He told him that they have found the very person that Moses and the prophets wrote about." (Luke 24:44).   

Joh 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Nathanael says to Phillip, "Nazareth?" "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Come and see for yourself Phillip replied.

Joh 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! As they were approaching, Jesus said, "Here is a genuine son of Israel, a man of complete integrity."

Joh 1:48 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. How do you know about me Nathanael asked Jesus? He replied, "I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you." God knows everything. (Psalm 139:1-2). He knows all about you even before you were born.

Joh 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Then Nathanael exclaimed, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God, the King of Israel." (Proclaiming the Person of the Lord, in connection with the Kingdom).

Joh 1:50 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. Jesus asked Nathanael, "Do you believe this because I told you that I had seen you under the fig tree?" Then Jesus told him that he would see greater things than this. (It didn't take much for Nathanael to become a believer). What about you?

Joh 1:51 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. Then Jesus said to him, "I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man; the One who is the stairway between heaven and earth." (Matthew 6:9-10). This would be part of the Lord's prayer. (These guys would witness the baptism of Jesus and the Holy Spirit descending upon Him as the Son of Man as well as the Son of God).

Keep the faith,
Barton