Translations
Original
Notes
The Word became flesh: This means the Word became truly human. The idea that the Word became human was shocking to both Greeks and Jews.
Many Greeks believed that God was completely separate from the ordinary human world. They used the word sarx (Greek for “flesh”) to describe human life as weak or earthly. John taught something very different. He said that God himself became human in Jesus Christ (compare 1:1).
Jesus was fully human and fully divine. He was not partly God and partly human. These two truths together form the foundation of Christian teaching about Christ.
the Word … made His dwelling among us (Greek skēnoō, “pitched a tent”): The Greek verb skēnoō means “to pitch a tent” or “to live in a tent.” This word is related to skēnē, the Greek word for the tabernacle. The tabernacle was the tent where the Lord’s glory lived among Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 25:8–9). In Jesus, God’s glory now lived among his people in a new way (Exodus 40:34–38; John 2:11; 12:23–28, 41; 17:1–5).
Even though the world was dark and hostile, Jesus came to save it. He offered God’s love and faithfulness to the world (3:15–17).
The start of this introduction might be a poem or hymn sung by early Christians (1:1–5).
The themes of this introduction of the Gospel of John prepare readers for the story that follows:
The arrival of the light in the world.
The rejection of the light.
The gift of new life given by the light to those who believed in him.
John the Baptist God’s Glory with His People God’s Word Jerusalem Miracles The Central Sanctuary The Christ Hymn: Christ’s Divine Nature The Church as God’s Temple The Cloud and Fire The Grace of God The New Community The Return of God’s Presence with His People The Unknown God The Word
Parallels
Glossary
Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Body of Christ Cerinthus Christology Faith Flesh Fullness Glorification Glory Grace Incarnation Inspiration of the Bible John, Gospel of Logos Messiah Only Begotten Poetry, Biblical Presence of God Revelation Shekinah Stoicism, Stoics Transfiguration Witness Word, Word of God, Words of God
Topics
Believers Character of Christ: True Christ Christ is God: As the Only-Begotten Son of the Father Christmas Christmas Trees Come to Jesus Da Vinci Code Glory of God: Exhibited in Christ God with Us God: Fatherhood of God's Glory God's Grace God's Word Grace: Christ Was Full of Jesus with Us Now Jesus, the Christ: Divinity of The One and Only Son of the Father Jesus, the Christ: Humanity of Jesus, the Christ: Incarnation of Jesus, the Christ: John's Testimony Concerning Him Jesus, the Christ: Names, Appellations, and Titles of: Only Begotten of the Father Jesus, the Christ: Perfections of not Classified Under Foregoing Topics Jesus, the Christ: Relation of, to the Father Jesus, the Christ: Son of God Jesus' Sacrifice Man: Christ: Took on Him Nature of Preciousness of Christ: As the Source of all Grace Qualities of Christ Seeing Seek Truth Tabernacle of Christ Telling the Truth The Excellency and Glory of Christ in the Fulness of his Grace and Truth The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As Incarnate The Glory of God: Exhibited in Christ The High Priest: Typified Christ in Splendid Dress The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Partaking of Flesh and Blood The Word Titles and Names of Christ: Only-Begotten Truth of Scripture