John 1:1-18

John 1:1-18

[1] In  the beginning  the Word,  and  the Word  with  God,  and  the Word  God.  [2] The same  in  the beginning  with  God.  [3] All things  were made  by  him;  and  without  him  not  any thing  made  that  was made.  [4] In  him  life;  and  the life  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] not  that  Light,  but  was sent to  bear witness  of  that Light.  [9] the true  Light,  which  lighteth  every man  that cometh  into  the world.  [10] 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,  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  (and  we beheld  his  glory,  as  of the only begotten  of  the Father,)  full  of grace  and  truth.  [15] John  bare witness  of  him,  and  cried,  saying,  This  of whom  I spake,  He that cometh  after  is preferred  before  for  before  [16] And  of  his  fulness  all  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  which  in  the bosom  of the Father,  he  hath declared 

What does John 1:1-18 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Each of the four Gospels begins with an introduction to Jesus that places Him in the historical setting of His earthly ministry. Matthew connected Him with David and Abraham. Mark associated Him directly with John the Baptist. Luke recorded the predictions of His birth. John , however, declared Him to be the eternal Son of God. Many writers have referred to John"s prologue as a theological prologue because this evangelist stressed Jesus" connection with the eternal God.
As with many introductions, this one contains several key terms that recur throughout the remainder of the book. These terms include life and light ( John 1:4), darkness ( John 1:5), witness ( John 1:7), true (i.e, genuine or ultimate) and world ( John 1:9), as well as Song of Solomon , Father, glory, and truth ( John 1:14). The Word (as a Christological title, John 1:1) and grace ( John 1:14) are also important theological terms, but they occur only in the prologue.
"But supremely, the Prologue summarizes how the "Word" which was with God in the very beginning came into the sphere of time, history, tangibility-in other words, how the Son of God was sent into the world to become the Jesus of history, so that the glory and grace of God might be uniquely and perfectly disclosed. The rest of the book is nothing other than an expansion of this theme." [1]
Some writers have identified a chiastic structure in the prologue. R. Alan Culpepper"s is essentially as follows. [2]
AThe eternal Word with God John 1:1-2BWhat came through the Word: creation John 1:3CWhat we have received from the Word: life John 1:4-5DJohn"s purpose: to testify John 1:6-8EThe Incarnation and the world"s response John 1:9-10FThe Word and His own (Israel) John 1:11GThose who accepted the Word John 1:12 aHHe gave them authority to become God"s children John 1:12 bG"Those who believed in the Word John 1:12 cF"The Word and His own (Christians) John 1:13E"The Incarnation and the church"s response John 1:14D"John"s testimony John 1:15C"What we have received from the Word: grace John 1:16B"What came through the Word: grace and truth John 1:17A"The eternal Word from God John 1:18
Jeff Staley also saw a chiasm in these verses, though his perception of the parts is slightly different from Culpepper"s. [3]
AThe relationship of the Logos to God, creation, and humanity John 1:1-5BThe witness of John (negative) John 1:6-8CThe journey of the Light/Logos (negative) John 1:9-11DThe gift of empowerment (positive) John 1:12-13C"The journey of the Logos (positive) John 1:14B"The witness of John (positive) John 1:15A"The relationship of the Logos to humankind, Revelation -creation, and God John 1:16-18
These structural analyses point out that all that John wrote in this prologue centers on God"s gift of eternal life that comes to people through the Word ( John 1:12). This emphasis on salvation through Jesus continues to be central throughout the Gospel (cf. John 20:30-31).