John 1
John Chapter 1, Explained
John 1 is one of the most soaring chapters in the Bible. It does not begin with a manger but before time itself: in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Through Him all things were made, and in Him was life and light that the darkness could not overcome.
Then comes the wonder at the heart of the chapter: the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The eternal God stepped into His own creation as a human being, full of grace and truth. The chapter goes on as John the Baptist points to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and the first disciples begin to follow Him.
Key verses from John 1
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:1
“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.”
John 1:14
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
John 1:29
The main point
John 1 is about the eternal Word, God Himself, becoming human to bring us grace, truth, and life.
How John 1 points to Jesus
This whole chapter is about Jesus: the Word who was with God and was God, who became flesh to dwell among us. He is the light no darkness can put out and the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Want to sit with this chapter for yourself? Open The Living Bread to read John 1 in full, ask any question about it, and pray with others, free.
Read John 1 with its meaning · The book of John: summary · All chapter guides