The Gospel Of John: John 1:1-28 Explained

Introduction

The Gospel of John is one of the four Gospels in the New Testament. It is believed to have been written by John the Apostle, who was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. John’s Gospel is unique in that it emphasizes the divinity of Jesus and his relationship with God. In this article, we will be looking at John 1:1-28, which is the opening section of the Gospel of John.

John 1:1-5

The opening verses of John’s Gospel are some of the most famous in the Bible. John begins by declaring that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. This statement is a powerful affirmation of the divinity of Jesus. John goes on to say that all things were made through the Word, and that the Word is the source of life and light for all people. These verses set the tone for the rest of the Gospel, which emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus as the Son of God.

John 1:6-8 introduces John the Baptist, who was sent by God to bear witness to the coming of Jesus. John the Baptist was not the light, but he came to bear witness to the light. This is an important distinction, as it emphasizes that John the Baptist was not the savior, but rather a messenger sent to prepare the way for the savior.

John 1:9-13

John goes on to say that the true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. However, the world did not recognize him. This is a recurring theme in the Gospel of John, as it emphasizes the rejection of Jesus by the world. John says that Jesus came to his own people, but they did not receive him. However, to all who did receive him, he gave the right to become children of God.

This is a powerful statement, as it emphasizes that faith in Jesus is the key to becoming a child of God. John goes on to say that those who are born of God are not born of human will, but of God’s will. This emphasizes the importance of divine grace in the process of salvation.

John 1:14-18

John then makes a bold statement, saying that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. This is a powerful affirmation of the incarnation, which is the belief that Jesus was God in human form. John goes on to say that he and the other disciples saw the glory of Jesus, which was full of grace and truth.

John also contrasts the law given through Moses with the grace and truth that came through Jesus. This is an important theme in the Gospel of John, which emphasizes that salvation comes through faith in Jesus, rather than by following the law of Moses.

John 1:19-28

The final section of this passage introduces John the Baptist again, and his role in preparing the way for Jesus. The religious leaders of the time sent priests and Levites to ask John who he was. John replied that he was not the Messiah, nor was he Elijah or the Prophet. When asked why he was baptizing, John replied that he was baptizing with water, but that there was one coming after him who would baptize with the Holy Spirit.

This passage emphasizes the importance of John the Baptist in preparing the way for Jesus. John’s role was to bear witness to the coming of Jesus and to prepare the hearts of the people for his message. John’s humility in acknowledging that he was not the Messiah is also an important lesson, as it emphasizes the importance of recognizing the true savior.

Conclusion

John 1:1-28 is a powerful introduction to the Gospel of John, which emphasizes the divinity of Jesus and his relationship with God. This passage introduces John the Baptist, who played an important role in preparing the way for Jesus. The passage also emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus as the key to becoming a child of God. As we read the Gospel of John, we are reminded of the importance of recognizing Jesus as the savior and placing our faith in him.