요한복음 Chapter 1

Translation: ESV

1

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

Key Message

Jesus Christ is the eternal Word who was with God and was God from before the beginning of creation.

▸The opening verse of John's Gospel deliberately echoes Genesis 1:1, declaring that Jesus existed before creation.

The opening verse of John's Gospel deliberately echoes Genesis 1:1, declaring that Jesus existed before creation. 'The Word (Λόγος, Logos)' in Greek philosophy signified the rational principle governing the universe, but John transcends this concept to describe a personal, divine being. 'With God' affirms the distinction of persons within the Godhead, while 'the Word was God' affirms the unity of essence. Both divine distinction and divine identity are declared simultaneously.

Related Verses

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
2

He was in the beginning with God.

Key Message

The Word is not a created being but the eternal one who was in personal relationship with the Father before creation.

▸This verse reaffirms and consolidates the key declaration of verse 1.

3

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Key Message

Every created thing in the universe came into being through the Word, and nothing was made apart from him.

▸The Word is declared to be the mediator of all creation.

4

In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

Key Message

The life in Jesus is the light that shines on humanity in darkness—God's revelation to the world.

▸The declaration that life (ζωή, zōē) is in the Word introduces one of John's Gospel's central themes.

5

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Key Message

God's light continuously shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never overcome it.

▸The opposition of light and darkness is established.

6

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

Key Message

John the Baptist was not the light but a messenger sent by God to testify to Christ, the light.

▸The hymnic prologue suddenly introduces a historical figure, John the Baptist.

7

He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.

Key Message

John the Baptist's ministry was not to glorify himself but to point entirely to Christ, the light.

▸John the Baptist's purpose is stated clearly: to bear witness about the light, and through that witness to lead all people to believe.

8

He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

Key Message

True service means not presenting oneself as the light but pointing to Christ, the true light.

▸A clear negation and affirmation of John the Baptist's identity is given.

9

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

Key Message

Jesus is the true light that came into the world to enlighten every person, not just a select few.

▸'The true light (τὸ φῶς τὸ ἀληθινόν, to phōs to alēthinon)' is set in contrast with John the Baptist and refers to Jesus.

10

He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.

Key Message

The tragic irony that the Creator was not recognized by his creation reveals humanity's fundamental sinful condition.

▸The tragic irony of this verse is striking.

11

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

Key Message

The irony that the most prepared people rejected the Messiah warns that religious knowledge does not guarantee salvation.

▸The narrative moves from general rejection to a more specific rejection.

12

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

Key Message

To those who receive and believe in Jesus, the remarkable privilege of becoming children of God is granted.

▸Following the rejection in verse 11 comes a remarkable reversal.

13

who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Key Message

Becoming a child of God is not possible by human lineage or effort—only by God's gracious action.

▸Three human means by which one cannot become God's child are listed: blood (ethnic lineage), the will of the flesh (sexual desire), and the will of man (human decision).

14

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Key Message

The incarnation of the Word—God entering fully into human history—is the heart of the Christian faith.

▸This is the climax of the prologue and the heart of Christian theology—the declaration of the incarnation.

15

( John bore witness about him, and cried out, 'This was he of whom I said, "He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me."' )

Key Message

The one who came later in time is prior in being—a testimony to Jesus' divinity.

▸John the Baptist appears again to testify to Jesus' preexistence.

16

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

Key Message

The grace flowing from Christ's fullness is endlessly renewed, overflowing the lives of believers.

▸'From his fullness (πληρώματος, plērōmatos)' refers to the grace and truth that fill Jesus (1:14).

17

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Key Message

While the law came through Moses, the reality the law pointed to—grace and truth—has come through Jesus Christ.

▸Moses and Jesus Christ are contrasted.

18

No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

Key Message

The invisible God is fully revealed only through the only Son, Jesus Christ, who is at the Father's side.

▸The climax and conclusion of the prologue.

19

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, 'Who are you?'

Key Message

Even under official interrogation, John's testimony remained unshaken, pointing solely to Christ.

▸The prologue ends and the historical narrative begins.

20

He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, 'I am not the Christ.'

Key Message

A true witness does not distort the truth for personal gain but boldly testifies to Christ.

▸The double emphasis—'he confessed, and did not deny, but confessed'—underscores the clarity and boldness of John's declaration.

21

And they asked him, 'What then? Are you Elijah?' He said, 'I am not.' 'Are you the Prophet?' And he answered, 'No.'

Key Message

John the Baptist transcended all existing religious expectation categories, being simply a voice preparing the way of the Lord.

▸The interrogation continues.

29

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'

Key Message

Jesus is the Lamb of God who bears and removes the sin of the whole world through atoning sacrifice.

▸This is John the Baptist's greatest testimony.

51

And he said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.'

Key Message

Jesus is the unique mediator connecting heaven and earth—like Jacob's ladder—in whom God's presence is revealed.

▸This verse, which closes the dialogue with Nathanael, directly quotes Jacob's ladder dream (Genesis 28:12).