CHAPTER 1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

When? "In the BEGINNING!" BEFORE creation! BEFORE the universe!
WHO? "The WORD." John later refers to this "Word" as God become flesh (John 1:14).
WHAT? "WITH God...and ... WAS God!"

Most of the time, I try to keep things in normal conversational terms.
The purpose of this commentary through the Bible is to provide laymen with a good understanding of what the Word of God says.
However, sometimes (this being one of them), I cannot avoid theological implications.

The Greek word for "beginning" is the word arche, which is properly defined as commencement.
The Greek term for "Word" is logos, which is properly defined as to exhibit or show.

Thus we might obtain the following interpretation:
"Before the commencement of time, the exhibition of God was. He was with God, and was God."

In fact, the New Living Translation of the Bible states it this way:
"In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God."

God has ALWAYS been. He is ETERNAL. He exists apart and separate from time.
The "Word" (logos, exhibition of, revelation of) God has ALWAYS been!
And, that which was God became "flesh, and dwelt among us" (John 1:14).

Note very clearly that John is not speaking of the man, Jesus.
He is speaking of that which was from the beginning ... the revelation of God Himself.
Ps 90:2
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
KJV

We must remember some things from the Old Testament.
In the Garden of Eden, God walked and talked with Adam and Eve.
((See Genesis 3:8-19))

God appeared to and talked with Abraham on the plains of Mamre.
((See Genesis 18))

John uses Jesus' own words to refer to the fact of Jesus' pre-existence several times in this gospel.
John 8:58
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
KJV
John 16:28
I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
KJV
John 17:5
And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
KJV

One more note about this verse.
John did NOT declare that the "Word" was a god!
He did NOT declare that the "Word" was like God!
He declared that the "Word WAS God!"

In the infinity of God's triune being, the "Word" has become known as the second Person of the Trinity -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Thus, later, we see in the epistles:
Heb 1:1-3
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
KJV

Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. KJV

Now, let us go on to the next verse.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

This same "logos," "Word" created all things!
Everything that was created was formed and made by Him!

In the beginning of time, God's eternal Spirit moved, or hovered; and, God SPOKE; THEN things HAPPENED!

Stars were flung into space by His WORD.
Mountains were formed by His WORD.
Seas and land were separated by His WORD.
I think you get the picture.

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Life has its beginning in God, for He IS LIFE!

Light is that by which we see.
Enter a dark room at night, and you may stumble over something.
But, turn on the light, and you can see objects which otherwise might be obstacles.

Christ is our "Light" because He alone can show us REAL LIFE!
REAL LIFE is ONLY found in a genuine and intimate relationship with God!

John has just told us (vs 3) that "ALL things" were made by the WORD.
Man's body and life was made by the WORD.
So, man's life comes from God.
And, Jesus is the "light of men." He SHOWS us life!

WITHOUT Christ we have no "light," only darkness!
Col 3:4
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Without Christ, all are "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1) .
He is the One Who "quickens" us to have life with God!

And when Christ came into the world, He brought such light that the "darkness comprehended it not." (Another word for "comprehended" is apprehend, or overtake.)
The darkness of man's sin could NOT envelope and quelch the light of God in Jesus!

Think about it! It's been almost 2,000 years since Jesus was crucified.
The world, and all the world's sin, has not put out that "Light!"
He is the LIGHT of REAL LIFE!
He is the revelation of man's opportunity to have God's forgivness and eternal life!

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

John the apostle is now speaking about John the Baptist.
John the Baptist was "sent from God."
He was commissioned by God to come and "prepare the way" for the coming Messiah.
((See Malachi 3:1))

I hope you went and read that verse in Malachi.
That verse says the messenger would prepare the way for "Me...the LORD," Who would come "SUDDENLY" to His temple!
The Jehovah of the Old Testament IS the Jesus of the New Testament!

John was not the "Light;" he was simply the messenger to prophesy of the Light!
And it is through that "Light" (Jesus) that "all men...might believe!"

9 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.

Jesus is the ONLY ONE Who can give the revelation of God to man!
Yet, when He came into the world, few believed Him; most rejected Him!

Still today, many reject Jesus as the Creator of life, and the revelation of God to man.

Yet Jesus is the ONLY ONE Who gives genuine comprehension of our existence.
What is life, if it is only to live and die?
The very existence of our lives should point us to Jesus for revelation!

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.

Jesus came to those of His own physical lineage, and was rejected as Messiah.
However, those who received Him also received "power to become the sons of God!"
Those who believed then, and those who believe now, are given by Christ the POWER to be "born again" into the realness of life!

For when we are "born again" it is a MIRACLE of God!
It is Divine RECREATION!
We are not born of "the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but OF GOD!"
((See 2Corinthians 5:17 and John 3:1-8))

Being saved cannot come from natural birth.
Being saved is a SUPERNATURAL birth!
We cannot be born into a family or nation and automatically become a Christian.
EACH person must come willingly to Christ and beg forgiveness of sin.
Then, HE will give us the "power to become sons of God!"

14And 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" (logos, representation, exhibition) of God was made "flesh" - MAN!
((See Hebrews 10:5)) He became the physical image of God IN man!
He is the visible image of the invisible God!

John says He "dwelt among us," and John (and other disciples) "(...beheld His glory, the glory as of the ONLY begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
NO ONE has ever, or will ever, exhibit the fullness of the One and ONLY SON OF GOD!
He was perfect, without sin!
When He was "reviled," He "reviled not again!" (See 1Peter 2:23)

Another place it is said:
1 John 1:1-2
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

In Jesus was LIFE!
In Jesus was the LIGHT of men!
In Jesus there was NO SIN!
And, John (and the other disciples) "beheld His GLORY!"

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.

John the Baptist "bare witness of Him" - Jesus.
He prophesied that Messiah was on the way!
John's testimony was that Jesus would come "after" him.

John the Baptist's testimony also included a realization that Jesus is God, because he said, "He was BEFORE me."

Now, John (the writer of this Gospel) says, "of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace."
Jesus has provided the fulness of God! He has provided grace poured upon grace!
We have all received the privilege of being "reconciled" to God through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross (See Colossians 1:18-20).

By the "law is the knowledge of sin" (See Romans 3:20).
And, no man can be justified in the sight of God by the law.
For, no man can keep the law perfectly. (See Romans 3:23)

BUT "grace and truth came by Jesus Christ!"
He provided both the means and the manner of reconciliation to God.
By the means of the cross, Jesus the righteous died for the unrighteous.
He paid the penalty for God's forgiveness and man's atonement.

The manner of reconciliation is to do as Jesus did...surrender all to God.
See ( Luke 9:23).

By the grace of God through Christ:
Atonement is made for our sins;
God's call to salvation is proclaimed;
Reconciliation to God is provided;
Daily sanctification is a continued work of His grace;
And, eternal glorification is assured!

ALL of this "fulness have we all received!"

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 the ethereal beauty of the invisible God.
There have certainly been "manifestations" of Him.
See ( Genesis 3:8; Genesis 18:1; Exodus 3:2; Judges 6:12).

ALL of those, I believe were visitations of the preincarnate Jesus.
But, when Jesus came, born of God "only begotten," He claimed to KNOW God!
(See John 14:9; John 12:45;See also Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3 )

In other words, Jesus (as John said earlier) was "with God!"
He has seen the ethereal beauty of the invisible God!
And, he is PART of that God!
Therefore, Jesus can DECLARE God to others!

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.

John, the evangelist, is now giving us a "record" of a conversation John the Baptist had with "priests and Levites from Jerusalem."
They had heard of John the Baptist's preaching and baptisms.
And, they wanted to know just who he was.

They asked John if he were "the Christ."
Of course, he told them he was not.
Then, they wanted to know if he were "Elias" (Elijah).
The reason they wanted to know that, was because the Word of God prophesied that before Messiah came, Elijah would come and prophesy. (See Malachi 4:5 )

John the Baptist is the one "crying in the wilderness" and pleading with the people to "prepare ye the way of the Lord."
John denied that he was the resurrected Elijah John 1:21.
However, Jesus said that if the people would have received him as such, John would have completely fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy.
(See Matthew 17:10-13and Luke 1:17.

John denied being the resurrected Elijah, but he did not deny the fact of being a prophet LIKE Elijah.
John boldly proclaimed the coming of Messiah.
He "backed up" from NO ONE!
And he identified himself with respect to the prophecy of Malachi.

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.

John points out that those who questioned John the Baptist at this particular time were of the sect of the "Pharisees."
They were what we would call "separatists."
They were very studious of the Scripture and very legalistic in nature.

Therefore, their question "Why baptizest thou then?" fits their personality.
Being very legalistic, they felt it improper for this seemingly uncouth man to prophesy without having educational background, and to baptize without priestly authority.

But John the Baptist told them he baptized with "water."
As such, it was a symbol.
It was only representative of what Christ would do later.

Water baptism makes no difference in the soul unless there is a cognizant surrender to Christ FIRST!

I have seen many people come down an aisle and confess that they had been baptized many years earlier, but all it served was to get them wet.
For they had not come in genuine surrender to the Lord.
Baptism is a SYMBOL on the outside of what has happened on the inside.
The person has died to self, been buried in Christ's death, and raised again by His power to live a new way of life.
When a person sincerely surrenders to Christ, he/she will be baptized in God's Holy Spirit, and THAT is what "seals" us until the final day of redemption (See (Ephesians 1:13).

Jesus is the undeniable, eternal LORD of all. He is the One Who will ultimately judge, and is judging even today.
His present judgment is of the genuine nature of salvation. (Those who are genuinely saved are convicted of their salvation by His Spirit; and those who are NOT genuinely saved are convicted By His Holy Spirit of their lack of salvation.)
Jesus' eternal and final judgment will be to "gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (Matt 3:12)

Let me caution you, dear reader, to consider the seriousness of John's statements!
Those who have genuinely been "sealed" in God's Holy Spirit will desire water baptism and church membership.

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.

John saw Jesus coming to him to be baptized.
Matthew describes it this way: (See Matthew 3:13-17 ).

For the benefit of those standing around where John was baptizing, he said, "This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me."

John did not personally know Jesus before this meeting.
They were distant cousins, but evidently had no contact before this time.
But John instinctively KNEW that Jesus was the One of Whom God had told him: "He should be made manifest to Israel..."

John testified that when he baptized Jesus, God's Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove. This was a "sign" that John had earlier received from God: "Upon Whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost."

When John saw this, he couldn't help telling those around him what was happening!

Note that John's statement to the crowd included the fact that Jesus is "..the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
This statement fulfilled the prophecy of Abraham (See Genesis 22:8 ).
As Abraham and Isaac had begun to climb the mountain, Isaac noted that they had knife, rope and fire...but no LAMB!
And, when Abraham was spared from taking the life of his only son, God provided a RAM, not a lamb!
But now, God was providing THE Lamb!
THE Lamb Who would take ALL the sins of the world upon His body!
THE Lamb Who would sacrifice His perfection for our imperfection!
THE Lamb Who would sacrifice His sinlessness for our sinfulness!

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.

The day after John baptized Jesus, he saw Jesus walking along.
And, John pointed out to two of his disciples again that Jesus was "THE Lamb of God."

These two disciples followed Jesus.
One of those disciples is later identified (see vs 40 below) as Andrew.
The other could have been John, the writer of this Gospel.

Note that these two disciples of John the Baptist now "followed Jesus."
John the Baptist's primary function was to point out and identify Jesus as Messiah.
The Baptist expected these two disciples to follow Jesus!
He was willing that his disciples leave him and begin "looking unto Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2).

Pastors, Sunday School Teachers and all ministers should be content to turn the focus of their disciples to 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.

Jesus noticed them following Him. His question was posed to see what they desired.
Their answer indicated a desire to be WITH Him.

Our greatest desire should be to have COMMUNION with Christ!

When they answered Him, they were careful to call Jesus "Rabbi."
Note that John interprets this word to mean "Master."
There were many teachers in that day called "rabbi."
Disciples (students) were enrolled in their schools of education.

These two, using that term, indicated a desire to LEARN from Jesus.
This is the desire of all Christians!

Not only did they desire to be WITH Jesus and to LEARN from Him, but to TELL OTHERS!
Notice that Andrew took the first opportunity he had and found Peter, bringing him also to Jesus.

Andrew told Peter "we have found the Messias!"
Andrew believed and knew that Jesus was the Lord come to save mankind!

Notice that Jesus said He would rename Simon to "Peter."
The Greek word is "Petros," which means small piece of rock.
The small rock is PLACEABLE!
Jesus would put these disciples where He wanted them!

Are we willing to allow Jesus to PLACE us?

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.

Jesus began a trip to Galilee. Galilee was where Jesus was raised.
On the way, they came upon Philip.
Jesus called Philip to follow Him.

John (the penman of this Gospel) is sharing two facts with us:
HOW Jesus met the disciples;
And, their WILLINGNESS to follow Him immediately upon His call!

When a person truly meets Jesus, HE becomes the PRIMARY FOCUS of that person's life!

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.

Philip, exemplifying his changed character, found Nathanael and told him: "We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

Nathanael's reply indicated the disrespect most people had of that area of Galilee. The residents of that area were generally uneducated.
However, Philip's reply was simply "Come and see."

When Jesus saw Nathanael He said, "...an Israelite indeed, in who is no GUILE!"
Jesus was stating that Nathanael was a man of fairness. He had no agenda of his own to force upon others. He was a gentle man, and held NO prejudicial thoughts!

How many of us have prejudicial thoughts and predetermine how we treat others by those thoughts?

Nathanael wanted to know how Jesus KNEW this?
He had not MET Jesus before.
Jesus explained that He SAW Nathanael when he was "under the fig tree" BEFORE Philip came to him.
This indicated that Nathanael had probably been holding private prayer and devotion.
Jesus KNEW it!

Jesus sees and knows what we do!
He particularly takes note of our prayers and devotions!

Remember, this is the BEGINNING of Jesus' ministry on earth.
In the next chapter we'll see some more things that happened in the beginning of that ministry.
Each of these things show the truth that these men believed Jesus as MESSIAS, Savior!

PLEASE CONTINUE IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW!