生命之道

太初,道已经存在,道与上帝同在,道就是上帝。 太初,道就与上帝同在。 万物都是借着祂造的[a],受造之物没有一样不是借着祂造的。 祂里面有生命,这生命是人类的光。 光照进黑暗里,黑暗不能胜过[b]光。

有一个人名叫约翰,是上帝差来的。 他来是要为光做见证,叫世人可以借着他而相信。 约翰不是那光,他来是为那光做见证。 那照亮世人的真光来到了世上。 10 祂来到自己所创造的世界,世界却不认识祂。 11 祂来到自己的地方,自己的人却不接纳祂。 12 但所有接纳祂的,就是那些信祂的人,祂就赐给他们权利成为上帝的儿女。 13 这些人既不是从人的血缘关系生的,也不是从人的情欲或意愿生的,而是从上帝生的。

14 道成为肉身,住在我们中间,充满了恩典和真理。我们见过祂的荣耀,正是父独一儿子的荣耀。

15 约翰为祂做见证的时候,高声喊道:“这就是我以前所说的那位,‘祂在我以后来却比我位分高,因为祂在我之前已经存在了。’” 16 从祂的丰盛里,我们一次又一次地领受了恩典。 17 因为律法是借着摩西颁布的,恩典和真理是借着耶稣基督赐下来的。 18 从来没有人见过上帝,只有父怀中的独一上帝[c]把祂显明出来。

施洗者约翰的见证

19 以下是约翰的见证。犹太人从耶路撒冷派祭司和利未人来找约翰,查问他是谁。 20 约翰毫不隐瞒地说:“我不是基督。”

21 他们问:“那么,你是谁?是以利亚吗?”

他说:“不是。”

他们又问:“你是那位先知吗?”

他说:“也不是。”

22 他们又追问:“你到底是谁?我们好回复差我们来的人。你自己说你是谁?”

23 他说:“我就是在旷野大声呼喊‘修直主的路’的那个人,正如以赛亚先知所言。”

24 派来的人当中有几个法利赛人[d],他们问他: 25 “你既然不是基督,不是以利亚,也不是那位先知,那你为什么给人施洗呢?”

26 约翰答道:“我是用水施洗,但在你们中间有一位你们不认识的, 27 祂虽然是在我以后来的,我就是给祂解鞋带也不配。” 28 这事发生在约旦河东岸的伯大尼,那里是约翰给人施洗的地方。

上帝的羔羊

29 次日,约翰看见耶稣走过来,就说:“看啊!上帝的羔羊,除去世人罪恶的! 30 这就是我以前所说的那位,‘有一个人在我以后来却比我位分高,因为祂在我之前已经存在了。’ 31 我以前并不认识祂,现在我用水给人施洗,是要把祂显明给以色列人。”

32 约翰又做见证说:“我看见圣灵好像鸽子一样从天降下,住在祂身上。 33 我本来不认识祂,但那位差我来用水给人施洗的告诉我,‘你看见圣灵降下,住在谁身上,谁就是用圣灵给人施洗的。’ 34 我看见了,便做见证,祂就是上帝的儿子。”

第一批门徒

35 再次日,约翰和两个门徒站在那里, 36 他看见耶稣经过,就说:“看啊!这是上帝的羔羊!” 37 两个门徒听见他的话,便跟从了耶稣。 38 耶稣转过身来,看见他们跟着,便问:“你们想要什么?”

他们说:“老师[e],你住在哪里?”

39 耶稣说:“你们来看吧。”他们便跟着去看耶稣住的地方。到了那里大约下午四点了,他们就住在耶稣那里。 40 听见约翰的话后跟从耶稣的两个人中,有一个是西门·彼得的弟弟安得烈。 41 他首先去找他哥哥西门,说:“我们找到弥赛亚了!”弥赛亚的意思是基督[f] 42 他带着西门去见耶稣。

耶稣看着西门,对他说:“约翰的儿子西门,你要改名为矶法。”矶法的意思是彼得。

43 又过了一天,耶稣决定去加利利。祂遇见了腓力,就对他说:“跟从我!” 44 腓力是伯赛大人,与彼得、安得烈是同乡。 45 腓力去找拿但业,对他说:“我们遇见了摩西律法书和先知书记载的那位!祂是约瑟的儿子耶稣,从拿撒勒来的。”

46 拿但业说:“拿撒勒还会出什么好东西?”

腓力说:“你来看看吧!”

47 耶稣看见拿但业走过来,就指着他说:“看啊,这是个真正的以色列人!他心里毫无诡诈。”

48 拿但业问耶稣:“你怎么会认识我?”

耶稣答道:“腓力还没有去找你之前,我就看见你在无花果树下了。”

49 拿但业说:“老师,你是上帝的儿子!你是以色列的王!”

50 耶稣说:“我说看见你在无花果树下,你就信我吗?将来你还要看见比这更大的事。 51 我实实在在地告诉你们,你们会看见天门敞开,上帝的天使以人子[g]为梯上上下下。”

Footnotes

  1. 1:3 造的”或译“存在”。
  2. 1:5 胜过”或译“接受”或“明白”。
  3. 1:18 独一上帝”有古卷作“独一儿子”。
  4. 1:24 派来的人当中有几个法利赛人”或译“法利赛人派来的那几个人”。
  5. 1:38 老师”希腊文是“拉比”,特指犹太教的老师,下同。
  6. 1:41 希伯来文的“弥赛亚”和希腊文的“基督”都是“受膏者”的意思。
  7. 1:51 人子”是耶稣的自称,耶稣在这里自比天梯,背景请参见创世记28:12

Prologue

In the beginning(A) was the Word,(B) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.(C) He was with God in the beginning.(D) All things were created(E) through him,(F) and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life,[a](G) and that life was the light(H) of men. That light shines(I) in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome[b] it.(J)

There was a man sent from God whose name was John.(K) He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him.[c] He was not the light, but he came to testify(L) about the light. The true light(M) that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.[d](N)

10 He was in the world, and the world was created(O) through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive(P) him,(Q) he gave them the right(R) to be[e] children(S) of God,(T) to those who believe(U) in his name,(V) 13 who were born,(W) not of natural descent,[f] or of the will(X) of the flesh,(Y) or of the will of man,[g] but of God.(Z)

14 The Word(AA) became flesh(AB) and dwelt[h] among us. We observed his glory,(AC) the glory as the one and only(AD) Son[i] from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified concerning him and exclaimed, “This was the one of whom I said, ‘The one coming after me(AE) ranks ahead of me,(AF) because he existed before me.’”)(AG) 16 Indeed, we have all received grace(AH) upon[j] grace from his fullness, 17 for the law was given through Moses;(AI) grace and truth(AJ) came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The one and only(AK) Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s(AL) side[k]—he has revealed him.(AM)

John the Baptist’s Testimony

19 This was John’s testimony when the Jews from Jerusalem(AN) sent priests(AO) and Levites(AP) to ask him, “Who are you?”

20 He didn’t deny it but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”(AQ)

21 “What then?” they asked him. “Are you Elijah?” (AR)

“I am not,” he said.

“Are you the Prophet?” (AS)

“No,” he answered.

22 “Who are you, then?” they asked. “We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What can you tell us about yourself?”

23 He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord[l](AT)—just as Isaiah(AU) the prophet said.”

24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.(AV) 25 So they asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you aren’t the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?”

26 “I baptize with[m] water,”(AW) John answered them. “Someone stands among you, but you don’t know him. 27 He is the one coming after me,[n](AX) whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to untie.” 28 All this happened in Bethany[o] across the Jordan,(AY) where John was baptizing.

The Lamb of God

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God,(AZ) who takes away the sin(BA) of the world! 30 This is the one I told you about: ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’ 31 I didn’t know him,(BB) but I came baptizing with water so that he might be revealed(BC) to Israel.” 32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit(BD) descending from heaven like a dove, and he rested on him.(BE) 33 I didn’t know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The one you see the Spirit descending and resting on—he is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’(BF) 34 I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”[p](BG)

35 The next day, John was standing with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

37 The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and noticed them following him, he asked them, “What are you looking for?”

They said to him, “Rabbi”(BH) (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

39 “Come and you’ll see,” he replied. So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon.[q]

40 Andrew,(BI) Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed him. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah”[r](BJ) (which is translated “the Christ”),(BK) 42 and he brought Simon to Jesus.

When Jesus saw him, he said, “You are Simon, son of John.[s] You will be called Cephas”(BL) (which is translated “Peter”[t]).

Philip and Nathanael

43 The next day Jesus[u] decided to leave for Galilee. He found Philip(BM) and told him, “Follow me.”

44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida,(BN) the hometown of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael(BO) and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the law (and so did the prophets(BP)): Jesus the son of Joseph,(BQ) from Nazareth.”(BR)

46 “Can anything good(BS) come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael asked him.

“Come and see,” Philip answered.

47 Then Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said about him, “Here truly is an Israelite(BT) in whom there is no deceit.”

48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

“Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you,” Jesus answered.

49 “Rabbi,”(BU) Nathanael replied, “You are the Son(BV) of God; you are the King of Israel!” (BW)

50 Jesus responded to him, “Do you believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 Then he said, “Truly I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God(BX) ascending and descending(BY) on the Son of Man.”(BZ)

Footnotes

  1. 1:3–4 Other punctuation is possible:... not one thing was created. What was created in him was life
  2. 1:5 Or grasp, or comprehend, or overtake; Jn 12:35
  3. 1:7 Or it (the light)
  4. 1:9 Or The true light who comes into the world gives light to everyone, or The true light enlightens everyone coming into the world.
  5. 1:12 Or become
  6. 1:13 Lit blood
  7. 1:13 Or not of human lineage, or of human capacity, or of human volition
  8. 1:14 Or and dwelt in a tent; lit and tabernacled
  9. 1:14 Son is implied from the reference to the Father and from Gk usage.
  10. 1:16 Or in place of
  11. 1:18 Other mss read The one and only Son, who is at the Father’s side
  12. 1:23 Is 40:3
  13. 1:26 Or in, also in vv. 31,33
  14. 1:27 Other mss add who came before me
  15. 1:28 Other mss read in Bethabara
  16. 1:34 Other mss read is the Chosen One of God
  17. 1:39 Lit about the tenth hour
  18. 1:41 Both Hb Messiah and Gk Christos mean “anointed one”
  19. 1:42 Other mss read “Simon, son of Jonah
  20. 1:42 Both Aramaic Cephas and Gk Petros mean “rock”
  21. 1:43 Lit he

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

The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

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.

Introduction : la parole de Dieu et son témoin

Au commencement était celui qui est la Parole de Dieu. Il était avec Dieu, il était lui-même Dieu. Au commencement, il était avec Dieu. Dieu a tout créé par lui ; rien de ce qui a été créé n’a été créé sans lui. En lui résidait la vie[a], et cette vie était la lumière des hommes. La lumière brille dans les ténèbres et les ténèbres ne l’ont pas étouffée[b].

Un homme parut, envoyé par Dieu ; il s’appelait Jean. Il vint pour être un témoin de la lumière, afin que tous les hommes croient par lui. Il n’était pas lui-même la lumière, mais sa mission était d’être le témoin de la lumière. Celle-ci était la véritable lumière, celle qui, en venant dans le monde, éclaire tout être humain[c]. 10 Celui qui est la Parole était déjà dans le monde, puisque Dieu a créé le monde par lui, et pourtant, le monde ne l’a pas reconnu. 11 Il est venu chez lui, et les siens ne l’ont pas accueilli.

12 Certains pourtant l’ont accueilli ; ils ont cru en lui. A tous ceux-là, il a accordé le privilège de devenir enfants de Dieu. 13 Ce n’est pas par une naissance naturelle, ni sous l’impulsion d’un désir, ou encore par la volonté d’un homme, qu’ils le sont devenus ; mais c’est de Dieu qu’ils sont nés.

14 Celui qui est la Parole est devenu homme et il a vécu parmi nous. Nous avons contemplé sa gloire, la gloire du Fils unique envoyé par son Père : plénitude de grâce et de vérité !

15 Jean[d], son témoin, a proclamé publiquement : Voici celui dont je vous ai parlé lorsque j’ai dit : Celui qui vient après moi m’a précédé[e], car il existait déjà avant moi.

16 Nous avons tous été comblés de ses richesses. Il a déversé sur nous une grâce après l’autre. 17 En effet, si la Loi nous a été donnée par Moïse, la grâce et la vérité sont venues par Jésus-Christ. 18 Personne n’a jamais vu Dieu : Dieu, le Fils unique qui vit dans l’intimité du Père, nous l’a révélé.

Premières révélations et premiers affrontements

Le témoin(A)

19 Voici le témoignage de Jean, lorsque les Juifs[f] lui envoyèrent de Jérusalem une délégation de prêtres et de lévites pour lui demander : « Qui es-tu ? »

20 Il dit clairement la vérité, sans se dérober, et leur déclara ouvertement : 21 Je ne suis pas le Messie.

– Mais alors, continuèrent-ils, qui es-tu donc ? Es-tu Elie[g] ?

– Je ne le suis pas.

– Es-tu le Prophète ?

– Non.

22 – Mais enfin, insistèrent-ils, qui es-tu ? Il faut bien que nous rapportions une réponse à ceux qui nous ont envoyés. Que dis-tu de toi-même ?

23 – Moi ? répondit-il, je suis cette voix dont parle le prophète Esaïe, la voix de quelqu’un qui crie dans le désert : Préparez le chemin pour le Seigneur[h]!

24 Les envoyés étaient du parti des pharisiens. 25 Ils continuèrent de l’interroger : Si tu n’es pas le Messie, ni Elie, ni le Prophète, pourquoi donc baptises-tu ?

26 – Moi, leur répondit Jean, je vous baptise dans l’eau, mais au milieu de vous se trouve quelqu’un que vous ne connaissez pas. 27 Il vient après moi, mais je ne suis pas digne de dénouer la lanière de ses sandales.

28 Cela se passait à Béthanie[i], à l’est du Jourdain, là où Jean baptisait.

Jésus, l’Agneau de Dieu

29 Le lendemain, Jean aperçut Jésus qui se dirigeait vers lui ; alors il s’écria : Voici l’Agneau de Dieu[j], celui qui enlève le péché du monde. 30 C’est de lui que je vous ai parlé lorsque je disais : « Un homme vient après moi, il m’a précédé[k], car il existait déjà avant moi. » 31 Moi non plus, je ne savais pas que c’était lui, mais si je suis venu baptiser dans l’eau, c’est pour le faire connaître au peuple d’Israël.

32 Jean-Baptiste rendit ce témoignage : J’ai vu l’Esprit descendre du ciel comme une colombe et se poser sur lui. 33 Je ne savais pas que c’était lui, mais Dieu, qui m’a envoyé baptiser dans l’eau, m’avait dit : Tu verras l’Esprit descendre et se poser sur un homme ; c’est lui qui baptisera dans le Saint-Esprit. 34 Or, cela, je l’ai vu de mes yeux, et je l’atteste solennellement : cet homme est le Fils de Dieu.

Les premiers disciples

35 Le lendemain, Jean était de nouveau là, avec deux de ses disciples. 36 Il vit Jésus qui passait, et il dit : Voici l’Agneau de Dieu !

37 Les deux disciples entendirent les paroles de Jean et se mirent à suivre Jésus.

38 Celui-ci se retourna, vit qu’ils le suivaient et leur demanda : Que désirez-vous ?

– Rabbi – c’est-à-dire Maître – , lui dirent-ils, où habites-tu ?

39 – Venez, leur répondit-il, et vous le verrez. Ils l’accompagnèrent donc et virent où il habitait. Il était environ quatre heures de l’après-midi. Ils passèrent le reste de la journée avec lui.

40 André, le frère de Simon Pierre, était l’un de ces deux hommes qui, sur la déclaration de Jean, s’étaient mis à suivre Jésus.

41 Il alla tout d’abord voir son frère Simon et lui dit : Nous avons trouvé le Messie (ce qui se traduit par Christ).

42 Et il le conduisit auprès de Jésus. Jésus le regarda attentivement et lui dit : Tu es Simon, fils de Jonas. Eh bien, on t’appellera Céphas – ce qui veut dire Pierre.

43 Le lendemain, Jésus décida de retourner en Galilée. Il rencontra Philippe et lui dit : Suis-moi !

44 Philippe était originaire de Bethsaïda[l], la ville d’André et de Pierre. 45 Philippe, à son tour, alla voir Nathanaël et lui dit : Nous avons trouvé celui dont Moïse a parlé dans la Loi[m] et que les prophètes ont annoncé : c’est Jésus, le fils de Joseph, de la ville de Nazareth.

46 – De Nazareth ? répondit Nathanaël. Que peut-il venir de bon de Nazareth ?

– Viens et vois toi-même ! répondit Philippe.

47 Jésus vit Nathanaël s’avancer vers lui. Alors il dit : Voilà un véritable Israélite, un homme d’une parfaite droiture.

48 – D’où me connais-tu ? lui demanda Nathanaël.

– Avant même que Philippe t’appelle, lui répondit Jésus, lorsque tu étais sous le figuier, je t’ai vu.

49 – Maître, s’écria Nathanaël, tu es le Fils de Dieu, tu es le Roi d’Israël !

50 – Tu crois, lui répondit Jésus, parce que je t’ai dit que je t’ai vu sous le figuier ? Tu verras de bien plus grandes choses encore. 51 Et il ajouta : Oui, je vous l’assure, vous verrez le ciel ouvert et les anges de Dieu monter et descendre entre ciel et terre par l’intermédiaire du Fils de l’homme[n].

Footnotes

  1. 1.4 Autre traduction, en changeant la ponctuation : tout a été créé par lui et rien n’a été créé sans lui. Ce qui a été créé avait la vie en lui.
  2. 1.5 Autre traduction : ne l’ont pas reçue.
  3. 1.9 D’autres comprennent : celle qui éclaire tout être humain venant dans le monde.
  4. 1.15 Il s’agit de Jean-Baptiste.
  5. 1.15 Autre traduction : est plus grand que moi.
  6. 1.19 Dans cet évangile, l’expression les Juifs désigne souvent diverses composantes du peuple juif qui s’opposent au message de Jésus (p. ex. 2.20 ; 5.10, 15, 16, 18 ; 6.41, 52 ; 7.1 ; etc.). Il s’agit d’ensembles représentatifs du peuple de l’ancienne alliance (les autorités du Grand-Conseil, des membres de groupes religieux, le peuple réuni en un endroit, etc.), qui manifestent le rejet officiel du Messie. En contraste, Jean présente le reste fidèle, formé de Juifs individuels qui composent le « vrai Israël » (1.47-49 ; 10.1-5 ; 15.1-4).
  7. 1.21 Ce prophète fut enlevé au ciel à la fin de sa mission, ainsi que le rapporte l’Ancien Testament. Certains attendaient son retour selon la prophétie de Ml 3.23-24.
  8. 1.23 Es 40.3 cité selon l’ancienne version grecque.
  9. 1.28 Village à l’est du Jourdain, à ne pas confondre avec celui qui se trouvait sur le flanc oriental du mont des Oliviers (voir note Mc 11.1).
  10. 1.29 Images renvoyant aux sacrifices de l’ancienne alliance. Comme un agneau, Jésus prend sur lui la désobéissance des hommes et s’offre en sacrifice à leur place. Voir Es 53.
  11. 1.30 Autre traduction : il est plus grand que moi.
  12. 1.44 Village proche de Capernaüm.
  13. 1.45 Nom que les Juifs donnent aux cinq premiers livres de la Bible. La venue du Prophète était annoncée en Dt 18.18.
  14. 1.51 Allusion à la vision de Jacob (Gn 28.12-13), dans laquelle l’escalier annonce le rôle du Fils de l’homme.

The Word Became Flesh

In the beginning was the Word,(A) and the Word was with God,(B) and the Word was God.(C) He was with God in the beginning.(D) Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.(E) In him was life,(F) and that life was the light(G) of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness,(H) and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.(I)

There was a man sent from God whose name was John.(J) He came as a witness to testify(K) concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.(L) He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

The true light(M) that gives light to everyone(N) was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him,(O) the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.(P) 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed(Q) in his name,(R) he gave the right to become children of God(S) 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.(T)

14 The Word became flesh(U) and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory,(V) the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace(W) and truth.(X)

15 (John testified(Y) concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”)(Z) 16 Out of his fullness(AA) we have all received grace(AB) in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses;(AC) grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.(AD) 18 No one has ever seen God,(AE) but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[b](AF) is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah

19 Now this was John’s(AG) testimony when the Jewish leaders[c](AH) in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”(AI)

21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”(AJ)

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”(AK)

He answered, “No.”

22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness,(AL) ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”[d](AM)

24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

26 “I baptize with[e] water,”(AN) John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me,(AO) the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”(AP)

28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan,(AQ) where John was baptizing.

John Testifies About Jesus

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God,(AR) who takes away the sin of the world!(AS) 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’(AT) 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.(AU) 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water(AV) told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’(AW) 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”[f](AX)

John’s Disciples Follow Jesus(AY)

35 The next day John(AZ) was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”(BA)

37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi”(BB) (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).(BC) 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called(BD) Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter[g]).(BE)

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip,(BF) he said to him, “Follow me.”(BG)

44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.(BH) 45 Philip found Nathanael(BI) and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law,(BJ) and about whom the prophets also wrote(BK)—Jesus of Nazareth,(BL) the son of Joseph.”(BM)

46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”(BN) Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite(BO) in whom there is no deceit.”(BP)

48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi,(BQ) you are the Son of God;(BR) you are the king of Israel.”(BS)

50 Jesus said, “You believe[h] because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you,[i] you[j] will see ‘heaven open,(BT) and the angels of God ascending and descending(BU) on’[k] the Son of Man.”(BV)

Footnotes

  1. John 1:5 Or understood
  2. John 1:18 Some manuscripts but the only Son, who
  3. John 1:19 The Greek term traditionally translated the Jews (hoi Ioudaioi) refers here and elsewhere in John’s Gospel to those Jewish leaders who opposed Jesus; also in 5:10, 15, 16; 7:1, 11, 13; 9:22; 18:14, 28, 36; 19:7, 12, 31, 38; 20:19.
  4. John 1:23 Isaiah 40:3
  5. John 1:26 Or in; also in verses 31 and 33 (twice)
  6. John 1:34 See Isaiah 42:1; many manuscripts is the Son of God.
  7. John 1:42 Cephas (Aramaic) and Peter (Greek) both mean rock.
  8. John 1:50 Or Do you believe … ?
  9. John 1:51 The Greek is plural.
  10. John 1:51 The Greek is plural.
  11. John 1:51 Gen. 28:12