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The Word already was, way back before anything began to be. The Word and God were together. The Word was God.

Before anything began to be, the Word was there with God.

God made everything by the Word. Nothing has been made without him.

Life was in the Word. That life was Light for people.

The Light shone where it was dark and the darkness did not stop the Light from shining.

God sent a man named John.

He came to talk about the Light, so that all people might believe in the Light by what he said.

He himself was not that Light, but he was sent to talk about the Light.

The true Light which gives light to every person who comes into the world.

10 He, the Word, was in the world. Yes, he even made the world. And yet the world did not know him.

11 He came into the world that was his own, but his own people did not receive him.

12 But there were people who did believe in his name. They did receive him. He gave all those who received him and believed him the right to become children of God.

13 They were born into God's family by God. That is, they were not born into his family in the way a person is born into this world. It was not by any person's will.

14 The Word became man and he lived among us. We saw with our own eyes that he is great. He is great the way God the Father made his only Son great. We saw that he is full of loving kindness and truth.

15 John talked about him. He called out saying, `Here is the man I told you about. I said that the one who is coming after me is greater than I am, because he lived before I lived.'

16 He was full of loving kindness, and we have all received so much kindness from him.

17 Moses gave the law, but Jesus Christ gave this loving kindness and truth.

18 No one has ever seen God. But his only Son is very near to his Father's heart. He has told us plainly about God.

19 The leaders of the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem. They asked John, `Who are you?' John told them.

20 He did not hide the truth, but he told people plainly. He said, `I am not the Christ.'

21 So they asked him, `Well then, are you Elijah?' He answered, `No, I am not.' They asked, `Are you the Prophet?' He answered, `No.'

22 Then those priests said, `Who are you? We want to give an answer to the people who sent us. What do you say about yourself?'

23 John said, `I am a voice calling in the desert, "Make the road straight for the Lord." This is what was said by Isaiah, the prophet of God long ago.'

24 It was the Pharisees who had sent these people to John.

25 So they asked him, `If you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet, why then are you baptizing?'

26 John answered, `I baptize people in water. But there is a man standing among you whom you do not know.

27 He is the one coming after me who is greater than I am. I am not even good enough to untie his shoe strings.'

28 The place where John was baptizing was Bethany on the other side of the Jordan River.

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming to him. `Look,' said John. `See God's special Lamb! He takes away the wrong ways of the world.

30 Here is the man I told you about. I said that the one who is coming after me is greater than I am, because he lived before I lived.

31 I myself did not know who he was. But I came and baptized people in water so that the people of Israel would know who he was.'

32 John also said, `I saw the Spirit coming from the sky. He came down on him like a dove. It stayed on him.

33 I myself did not know who he was. But he who sent me to baptize people in water told me. He said, "You will see the Spirit coming from the sky on a man. That man will baptize people in the Holy Spirit."

34 I saw the Spirit coming on him, and I have told you. This man is the Son of God.'

35 The next day, John was standing with two of his followers.

36 Jesus walked by. When John saw him, he said, `Look, see God's Lamb!'

37 The two followers heard what John said, so they went after Jesus.

38 Jesus turned. He saw them coming after him. He said to them, `What are you looking for?' They said, `Teacher, where do you live?'

39 Jesus said, `Come and see.' They went and saw the place where Jesus was staying. The time was about four o'clock in the afternoon. They stayed with Jesus the rest of the day.

40 Andrew was one of those two followers of John who heard John speak and went after Jesus. He was Simon Peter's brother.

41 The first thing Andrew did then was to find his brother Simon. He said, `We have found the Messiah!' (Messiah means the Christ, the messenger of God.)

42 Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, `You are Simon, the son of John. Your name will be Cephas.' (Cephas means Peter, a rock or stone.)

43 The next day Jesus said, `I will go to Galilee.' He found Philip and said to him, `Come with me.'

44 Philip was from the town of Bethsaida. Andrew and Peter were also from that town.

45 Philip went to find Nathanael. He said `We have found the man about whom Moses wrote in the books of the law. The prophets also wrote about him. He is Jesus, from Nazareth. He is the son of Joseph.'

46 Nathanael said, `From Nazareth? Can any good thing come from there?' Philip said, `Come and see for yourself.'

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him. He said, `Here is a man who is truly of Israel. He does not fool people.'

48 Nathanael asked, `How do you know me?' Jesus answered, `I saw you when you were under the fig tree. That was before Philip called you.'

49 Nathanael said, `Teacher, you are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel.'

50 Jesus answered, `I told you that I saw you under the fig tree. Is that why you believe in me now? You will see more wonderful things than that!

51 I tell you the truth,' said Jesus. `You will see heaven open. You will see God's angels going up and down to the Son of Man.'

Prologue

In the beginning(A) was the Word,[a](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.
Life was in Him,[b](G)
and that life was the light(H) of men.
That light shines(I) in the darkness,
yet the darkness did not overcome[c] it.(J)

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

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

14 The Word(AA) became flesh[k](AB)
and took up residence[l] among us.
We observed His glory,(AC)
the glory as the One and Only(AD) Son[m] 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) has surpassed me,(AF)
because He existed before me.’”)(AG)
16 Indeed, we have all received grace(AH) after 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.[n]
The One and Only(AK) Son[o]
the One who is at the Father’s(AL) side[p]
He has revealed Him.(AM)

John the Baptist’s Testimony

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

20 He did not refuse to answer, but he declared: “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?”[q](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(AT)[r]—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[s] water,”(AW) John answered them. “Someone stands among you, but you don’t know Him. 27 He is the One coming after me,[t](AX) whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to untie.”

28 All this happened in Bethany[u] across the Jordan,[v](AY) where John was baptizing.

The Lamb of God

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Here is 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 has surpassed me, because He existed before me.’ 31 I didn’t know Him,(BB) but I came baptizing with[w] water so He might be revealed(BC) to Israel.”

32 And John testified, “I watched the Spirit(BD) descending from heaven like a dove, and He rested on Him.(BE) 33 I didn’t know Him, but He[x] who sent me to baptize with[y] water told me, ‘The One you see the Spirit descending and resting on—He is the One who baptizes with[z] the Holy Spirit.’(BF) 34 I have seen and testified that He is the Son of God!”[aa](BG)

35 Again 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 10 in the morning.[ab]

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!”[ac](BJ) (which means “Anointed(BK) One”), 42 and he brought Simon to Jesus.

When Jesus saw him, He said, “You are Simon, son of John.[ad] You will be called Cephas”(BL) (which means “Rock”).

Philip and Nathanael

43 The next day He[ae] decided to leave for Galilee. Jesus 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[af](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 is a true Israelite;(BT) no deceit is in him.”

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 only because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You[ag] will see greater things than this.” 51 Then He said, “I assure you: You[ah] will see heaven opened and the angels of God(BX) ascending and descending(BY) on the Son of Man.”(BZ)

Footnotes

  1. John 1:1 The Word (Gk Logos) is a title for Jesus as the communication and the revealer of God the Father; Jn 1:14,18; Rv 19:13.
  2. John 1:4 Other punctuation is possible: . . . not one thing was created. What was created in Him was life
  3. John 1:5 Or grasp, or comprehend, or overtake; Jn 12:35
  4. John 1:7 Or through it (the light)
  5. John 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.
  6. John 1:11 The same Gk adjective is used twice in this verse: the first refers to all that Jesus owned as Creator (to His own); the second refers to the Jews (His own people).
  7. John 1:11 The same Gk adjective is used twice in this verse: the first refers to all that Jesus owned as Creator (to His own); the second refers to the Jews (His own people).
  8. John 1:12 Or become
  9. John 1:13 Lit bloods; the pl form of blood occurs only here in the NT. It may refer either to lineal descent (that is, blood from one’s father and mother) or to the OT sacrificial system (that is, the various blood sacrifices). Neither is the basis for birth into the family of God.
  10. John 1:13 Or not of human lineage, or of human capacity, or of human volition
  11. John 1:14 The eternally existent Word (vv. 1-2) took on full humanity but without sin; Heb 4:15.
  12. John 1:14 Or and dwelt in a tent; lit and tabernacled; this word occurs only here in John. A related word, referring to the Festival of Tabernacles, occurs only in 7:2; Ex 40:34-38.
  13. John 1:14 Son is implied from the reference to the Father and from Gk usage.
  14. John 1:18 Since God is an infinite being, no one can see Him in His absolute essential nature; Ex 33:18-23.
  15. John 1:18 Other mss read God
  16. John 1:18 Lit is in the bosom of the Father
  17. John 1:21 Probably the Prophet in Dt 18:15
  18. John 1:23 Is 40:3
  19. John 1:26 Or in
  20. John 1:27 Other mss add who came before me
  21. John 1:28 Other mss read in Bethabara
  22. John 1:28 Another Bethany, near Jerusalem, was the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary; Jn 11:1.
  23. John 1:31 Or in
  24. John 1:33 He refers to God the Father, who gave John a sign to help him identify the Messiah. Vv. 32-34 indicate that John did not know that Jesus was the Messiah until the Spirit descended upon Him at His baptism.
  25. John 1:33 Or in
  26. John 1:33 Or in
  27. John 1:34 Other mss read is the Chosen One of God
  28. John 1:39 Lit about the tenth hour. Various methods of reckoning time were used in the ancient world. John probably used a different method from the other 3 Gospels. If John used the same method of time reckoning as the other 3 Gospels, the translation would be: It was about four in the afternoon.
  29. John 1:41 In the NT, the word Messiah translates the Gk word Christos (“Anointed One”), except here and in Jn 4:25 where it translates Messias.
  30. John 1:42 Other mss read Simon, son of Jonah
  31. John 1:43 Or he, referring either to Simon Peter (vv. 41-42) or Andrew (vv. 40-41)
  32. John 1:45 Probably the Bartholomew of the other Gospels and Acts
  33. John 1:50 In Gk, the word you is sg and refers to Nathanael.
  34. John 1:51 In Gk, the word you is pl and refers to Nathanael and the other disciples.

The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ, According to John

That Word begotten of God before all worlds, 2 and which was ever with the Father, 14 is made man.  6, 7 For what end John was sent from God. 15 His preaching of Christ’s office. 19, 20 The record that he bare given out unto the Priests. 40 The calling of Andrew, 42 of Peter, 43 Philip, 45 and Nathanael.

In [a]the [b]beginning [c]was [d]that Word, and that Word was [e]with God, and that [f]Word was God.

This same was in the beginning with God.

(A)[g]All [h]things were made by it, and [i]without it [j]was made nothing that was made.

[k]In it [l]was life, and that life was [m]the light of men.

[n]And that light shineth in the wilderness, and the darkness [o]comprehendeth it not.

(B)[p]There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

This same came for a witness, to bear witness of that light, that all men [q]through him might believe.

He was not [r]that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light.

[s]This was [t]that true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

10 [u]He was in the world, and the world was (C)made by him: and the world knew him not.

11 He came [v]unto his own, and his own received him not.

12 [w]But as many as received him, to them he gave [x]prerogative to be the sons of God, even to them that believe in his Name,

13 Which are born not of blood, nor of the [y]will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 (D)[z]And that Word was made [aa]flesh, and [ab]dwelt among us, (and we (E)saw the [ac]glory thereof, [ad]as the glory of the only begotten Son of the Father) [ae]full of grace and truth.

15 [af]John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I said, He that cometh [ag]after me, was [ah]before me: for he was better than I.

16 (F)[ai]And of his fullness have all we received, and [aj]grace for grace.

17 For the Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

18 (G)[ak]No man hath seen God at any time: that only begotten Son, which is in the [al]bosom of the Father, he hath [am]declared him.

19 [an]Then this is the record of John, when the Jews sent Priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

20 And he [ao]confessed and [ap]denied not, and said plainly, I (H)am not that Christ.

21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he said, [aq]I am not. Art thou [ar]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 (I)am the voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the Prophet Isaiah.

24 [as]Now they which were sent, were of the Pharisees.

25 And they asked him, and said unto him, [at]Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, neither Elijah, nor that Prophet?

26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there is one [au]among you, whom ye know not.

27 (J)He it is that cometh after me, which was before me, whose shoe latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John did baptize.

29 [av]The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold [aw]that Lamb of God, which [ax]taketh away the [ay]sin of the world.

30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man, which was before me: for he was better than I.

31 And [az]I knew him not: but because he should be declared to Israel, therefore am I come, baptizing with water.

32 [ba]So John bare record, saying, I beheld, (K)that Spirit come down 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, he said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see that Spirit come down, and tarry still on him, that is he which baptizeth with the holy Ghost.

34 And I saw, and bare record that this is [bb]that Son of God.

35 [bc]The next day, John stood again, and two of his disciples.

36 [bd]And he beheld Jesus walking by, and said, Behold that Lamb of God.

37 [be]And the two disciples heard him speak, and followed Jesus.

38 Then Jesus turned about, and saw them follow, and said unto them, What seek ye? And they said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say by interpretation, Master) [bf]where dwellest thou?

39 He said unto them, Come, and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the [bg]tenth hour.

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two which had heard it of John, and that followed him.

41 The same found his brother Simon first, and said unto him, We have found that Messiah which is by interpretation, that [bh]Christ.

42 And he brought him to Jesus. And Jesus beheld him, and said, Thou art Simon the son of Jonah: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation a stone.

43 ¶ The day following, Jesus would go into Galilee, and found Philip, and said unto him, Follow me.

44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

45 [bi]Philip found Nathanael, and said unto him, We have found him of whom (L)Moses did write in the Law, and the (M)Prophets, Jesus that Son of Joseph, that was of Nazareth.

46 [bj]Then Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, Come, and see.

47 [bk]Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, Behold indeed an Israelite, in whom is no guile.

48 [bl]Nathanael said unto him, Whence knewest 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 said unto him, Rabbi, thou art that Son of God: thou art that 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 said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see heaven open, and the Angels of God (N)[bm]ascending, and descending upon that Son of man.

Footnotes

  1. John 1:1 The Son of God is of one, and the selfsame eternity or everlastingness, and of one and the selfsame essence or nature, with the Father.
  2. John 1:1 From his beginning, as the Evangelist saith, 1 John 1:1, as though he said, that the world began not then to have his being, when God began to make all that was made: for the word was even then when all things that were made, began to be made, and therefore he was before the beginning of all things.
  3. John 1:1 Had his being.
  4. John 1:1 This word, That, pointeth out unto us a peculiar and choice thing above all other, and putteth a difference between this Word, which is the Son of God, and the Laws of God, which otherwise also are called the word of God.
  5. John 1:1 This word (With) putteth out the distinction of persons to us.
  6. John 1:1 This word (Word) is the first in order in the sentence, and is that which the learned call (Subjectum:) and this word (God) is the latter in order, and the same which the learned call (Predicatum.)
  7. John 1:3 The son of God declareth that same his everlasting Godhead, both by the creating of all things, and also by the preserving of them, and especially by the excellent gifts of reason and understanding, wherewith he that beautified man above all other creatures.
  8. John 1:3 Paul expoundeth this place, Col. 1:15 and 16.
  9. John 1:3 That is, as the Father did work, so did the Son work with him: for he was fellow worker with him.
  10. John 1:3 Of all those things which were made, nothing was made without him.
  11. John 1:4 That is, by him: and it is spoken after the manner of the Hebrews, meaning thereby that by his force and working power all life cometh to the world.
  12. John 1:4 To wit, even then, when all things are made by him, for else he would have said, Life is in him, and not life was.
  13. John 1:4 That force of reason and understanding, which is kindled in our minds to acknowledge him, the author of so great a benefit.
  14. John 1:5 The light of men is turned into darkness, but yet so that there is clearness enough to make them without excuse.
  15. John 1:5 They could not perceive nor reach unto it, to receive any light of it, no, they did not so much as acknowledge him.
  16. John 1:6 There is another more full manifestation of the Son of God, to the consideration whereof men are in good time stirred up, even by John’s voice, who is as it were the herald of Christ.
  17. John 1:7 Through John.
  18. John 1:8 That light which we spake of, to wit, Christ, who only can lighten our darkness.
  19. John 1:9 When as the Son of God saw, that man did not acknowledge him by his works, although they were endued with understanding (which he had given to them all) he exhibited himself unto his people to be seen of them with their corporal eyes: yet neither so did they acknowledge him, nor receive him.
  20. John 1:9 Who only and properly deserveth to be called the light, for he shineth of himself and borroweth light of none.
  21. John 1:10 That person of the Word, was made manifest even at that time when the world was made.
  22. John 1:11 The Word showed himself again, when he came in the flesh.
  23. John 1:12 The Son being shut out of the most of his people, and acknowledged but of a few, doth regenerate them by his own virtue and power, and receiveth them into that honor which is common to all the children of God, that is to be the sons of God.
  24. John 1:12 He vouchsafed to give them this prerogative to take them to be his children.
  25. John 1:13 Of that gross and corrupt nature of man, which is throughout the Scriptures set as enemy to the Spirit.
  26. John 1:14 That Son, who is God from everlasting, took upon him man’s nature, that one and the selfsame might be both God and man, which manifestly appeared to many witnesses, that saw him amongst whom he was conversant, and unto whom by sure and undoubted arguments he showed both his natures.
  27. John 1:14 That is, man: so that the part is taken for the whole, by the figure Synecdoche: for he took upon him all our whole nature, that is to say, a true body, and a true soul.
  28. John 1:14 For a season, and when that was ended, he went up into heaven: for the word which he useth, is taken from tents: and yet notwithstanding, his absence from us in body is not such, but that he is always present with us, though not in flesh, yet by the virtue of his Spirit.
  29. John 1:14 The glory which he speaketh of here, is that manifestation of Christ’s majesty, which was as it were laid open before our eyes when the Son of God appeared in flesh.
  30. John 1:14 This word (as) doth not in this place betoken a likeness, but the truth of the matter, for his meaning is this, that we saw such a glory, as beseemed and was meet for the true and only begotten Son of God, who is Lord and King over all the world.
  31. John 1:14 He was not only a partaker of grace and truth, but was full of the very substance of grace and truth.
  32. John 1:15 John is a faithful witness of the excellency of Christ.
  33. John 1:15 That is, He before whom I am sent to prepare him the way: so that these words are referred to the time of his calling, and not of his age, for John was six months older than he.
  34. John 1:15 This sentence hath in it a turning of the reason as we call it, as who would say, a setting of that first which should be last, and that last which should be first: for in plain speech this it is: He that cometh after me, is better than I am, for he was before me. The like kind of turning the reason we find in Luke 7:47: many sins are forgiven her, because she loved much, which is thus much to say, she loved much, because many sins are forgiven her.
  35. John 1:16 Christ is the most plentiful fountain of all goodness, but then he poured out his gifts most bountifully, when as he exhibited and showed himself to the world.
  36. John 1:16 That is grace upon grace, as a man would say graces heaped one upon another.
  37. John 1:18 That true knowledge of God proceedeth only from Jesus Christ.
  38. John 1:18 Who is nearest to his Father, not only in respect of his love towards him, but by the bond of nature, and for that union or oneness that is between them, whereby the Father and the Son are one.
  39. John 1:18 Revealed him, and showed him unto us, whereas before he was hid under the shadows of the Law, so that the quickness of the sight of our minds was not able to perceive him: for whosoever seeth him, seeth the Father also.
  40. John 1:19 John is neither the Messiah, nor like to any of the other Prophets, but is the herald of Christ, who is now present.
  41. John 1:20 He did acknowledge him, and spake of him plainly and openly.
  42. John 1:20 This repeating of the one and the selfsame thing, though in divers words, is used much of the Hebrews, and it hath great force: for they used to speak one thing twice, to set it out more certainly and plainly.
  43. John 1:21 The Jews thought that Elijah should come again before the days of Messiah, and they took the ground of that their opinion out of Mal. 4:5, which place is to be understood of John, Matt. 11:14. And yet John denieth that he is Elijah, answering them indeed according as they meant.
  44. John 1:21 They inquire of some great Prophet, and not of Christ, for John denied before, that he is Christ, for they thought that some great Prophet should be sent like unto Moses, wresting to that purpose that place of Deut. 18:15, which is to be understood of all the company of the Prophets and ministers, which have been and shall be to the end, and especially of Christ, who is the head of all Prophets.
  45. John 1:24 Christ is the author of baptism, and not John: and therefore the force thereof consisteth not in John, who is the minister, but wholly in Christ the Lord.
  46. John 1:25 Hereby we may prove that the Jews knew there should be some change in religion under Messiah.
  47. John 1:26 Whom all the world seeth not, and is even amongst you.
  48. John 1:29 The body and truth of all the sacrifices of the Law, to make satisfaction for the sin of the world, is in Christ.
  49. John 1:29 This word (That) which is added, hath great force in it, not only to set forth the worthiness of Christ, and so to separate him from the Lamb which was a figure of him, and from all other sacrifices of the Law, but also to bring into our mind the Prophecies of Isaiah and others.
  50. John 1:29 This word of the present time signifieth a continual act, for the Lamb hath this virtue proper unto him, and forever, to take away the sins of the world.
  51. John 1:29 That is, that root of sins, to wit, our corruption, and so consequently, the fruits of sin, which are commonly called in the plural number sins.
  52. John 1:31 I never knew him by face before.
  53. John 1:32 Christ is proved to be the Son of God, by the coming down of the holy Ghost, by the Father’s voice, and by John’s testimony.
  54. John 1:34 This word (That) pointeth out unto us some excellent thing, and maketh a difference between Christ and others, whom Moses and the Prophets commonly call the sons of God, or the sons of the most high.
  55. John 1:35 John gathered disciples, not to himself, but to Christ.
  56. John 1:36 Christ is set before us to follow not as a vain shadow, but as our Mediator.
  57. John 1:37 In this first gathering of the disciples we have shown unto us, that the beginning of salvation is from God, who calleth us unto his Son by the ministry of his servants: whom (so preventing us) we must also hear, and follow him home, that being instructed by him, we may also instruct others.
  58. John 1:38 Where is thy lodging?
  59. John 1:39 The night grew on.
  60. John 1:41 That is, anointed, and King after the manner of the Jewish people.
  61. John 1:45 The good endeavors even of the unlearned, God doth so allow, that he maketh them masters to the learned.
  62. John 1:46 We must especially take heed of false presumptions, which shut up against us the entrance to Christ.
  63. John 1:47 Simple uprightness discerneth the true Israelites from the false.
  64. John 1:48 The end of miracles is to set before us Christ the Almighty, and also the only author of our salvation, that we may apprehend him by faith.
  65. John 1:51 By these words the power of God is signified which should appear in his ministry by the angels serving him as the head of the Church.

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