John 1 1

John 1
OBSERVATION

I. John Sings of Christ’s Incarnation (1:1-18)

II. The Baptizer Announces the Incarnate Christ (1:19-34)

III. The Christ Call’s His Disciples (1:35-51)

Section I (1:1-18) introduces the reader to The Incarnate Christ as John offers the reader

a doxology. The formula of this doxology begins with an introduction (1:1-5); the Baptizer (1:6-

9); the Light revealed and rejected (1:10-13); and finally, The Word among us (1:14-18). Christ

was the “Word” who is God (1:1), is from the beginning (1:2), who is Creator (1:3-5); and, who

is “manifest in flesh” and “dwelling among us” (1:14). John is introduced as the one who came

as a “witness to testify” (1:6-9) about the Christ whom the “world” did not know but who would

provide the opportunity to become the “children of God” (1:12). In these few short paragraphs

the reader is made privy to the intricacies of the incarnation and the means by which the

incarnate Christ would be first announced to the world, that is, through John (the Baptizer).

We also see a causational relationship developed in 1:10-13. That is, the Light created

the world and came to the world but was not recognized by the world (v. 10). Nevertheless, those

who recognize and believe in the Light are given the “right” to become His children (vv. 11-12).

This “right” to become His children is illustrated by comparing natural birth, by the will of a

husband, and that of a supernatural birth by God (v.13). This portion probably finds it’s reality in

John 3 where the reader is given further understanding as to what it means to be “born of God”

(see John 3:3-8).

Recurring terms: beginning, Word, light, life, witness, world, glory

Contrasting elements are found in the terms light and darkness but the reader can also

recognize contrasting elements in the idea that the Word “made the world” (1:3) but when the
 John 1 2

Word entered into His creation the creation failed to recognize its creator (1:10). The writer

seems to suggest that much of humanity is not aware of the One from whom they emanate,

which is a sad state of affairs. This sadness is contrasted with the hope that some would believe

and some would receive the Light and this would then be the cause of a new and supernatural

covenant (1:6-13).

Definitional - Define the words: beginning, Word, light, life, witness, world and glory.

Define the phrase: “the glory of the One and only” (1:14).

Rational – What is the purpose of the writer emulating Genesis 1? How does 1:11-13

connect with Abrahamic covenant in its terminology and cause? What does it mean to be

“born of God” (1:13b)?

Implicational – What is implied about the dual nature of Christ? What are the

implications of becoming “children of God” (1:10-13)? What is the writer suggesting

about covenant by the terms “right” and being “born of God?”

Section II (1:19-34) begins by introducing John the Baptizer and the simple fact that he is

not the Christ. Apparently some may have been viewing John as the Christ and the writer works

quickly to end this notion. Additionally a short interrogative scene follows this introduction

wherein John is questioned by the priest and Levites (1:19-28). The questioning centers on the

general role John would play in revealing the Light while emphatically rejecting the Baptizer as

the Light (see also 1:6-9). Furthermore, we are shown the particular role of John as the herald

but not the Light (1:19-28). John is the one who became the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophetic

utterance (see Isaiah 40:3) and that is all.

Verses 32-34 form a causational relationship in that John, who had just given a

summation of his personal mission (vv. 29-31), now speaks to the sign that would confirm his
 John 1 3

proclamation. That is, the Spirit would “come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him”

(v. 32). The Spirit remaining on Him (Jesus) should be the cause of the Word’s creation to

recognize Him but it is John’s obedience to baptize that is the catalyst for this revelation.

There is also a significant pivot in terminology employed by the writer in the latter

portion of this section. In v. 29 John refers to the Christ as the “Lamb of God,” whereas, in v. 34

John uses the title, “Son of God.”

Definitional - Define: baptize. Define the phrases: Lamb of God and Son of God.

Rational – How does Jesus take away the sin of the world? What is sin? What is the role

of the Spirit and baptism in revealing Christ?

Implicational – What is suggested for modern believers by Jesus being baptized?

Section III (1:35-51) seems to be a long series of interrogative conversations, which

culminate in Christ’s calling of His first disciples. Jesus asks two of John’s disciples, “What do

you want” (1:38). The ensuing conversation includes these disciples following Jesus, the calling

of Andrew, Simon and eventually Nathanael. The reader is then given insight into another

interrogative conversation between Jesus and Nathanael (1:46-49). This conversation leads to

revelation wherein Nathanael declares his belief that Jesus is both “Son of God” and “King of

Israel” (1:49). The remainder of the section contains numerous interrogative events (i.e.

Nicodemus, The Woman at the Well). The purpose of these conversations might be seen as tools

of recurring instrumentation leading the reader to the revelation of Christ as Son of God.

Definitional – Define the terms: Rabbi. Define the phrases: “Son of God” and “King of

Israel.”

Rational – What is meant by Nathanael’s progessive terms used in 1:49, Rabbi, Son of

God and King of Israel?

 John 1 4

Implicational – What are the implications on logos in the use the terms, “Son of God”

and “King of Israel?” What is implied about personal evangelism for the modern believer

when looking at the interrogative conversations?

INTERPRETATION

Term/Phrase Also Translated As Definition

Beginning Principality (8x), corner (2x), Beginning or origin. Used
first (2x). absolutely, of the beginning of all
things (Blue Letter Bible, arche)
Word Saying (50x), account (8x), In John, denotes the essential
speech (8x), Word (Christ) Word of God, Jesus Christ, the
(7x), thing (5x) personal wisdom and power in
union with God, his minister in
creation and government of the
universe, the cause of all the
world's life both physical and
ethical, which for the procurement
of man's salvation put on human
nature in the person of Jesus the
Messiah, the second person in the
Godhead, and shone forth
conspicuously from His words and
deeds. (Blue Letter Bible, logos)
Light Fire (2x) metaphorically
a) God is light because light has
the extremely delicate, subtle,
pure, brilliant quality

b) of truth and its knowledge,

together with the spiritual purity
associated with it
c) that which is exposed to the
view of all, openly, publicly
d) reason, mind
1) the power of understanding esp.
 John 1 5

moral and spiritual truth (Blue

Letter Bible, phos)

Life Lifetime (1x) …of the absolute fulness of life,

both essential and ethical, which
belongs to God, and through him
both to the hypostatic "logos" and
to Christ in whom the "logos" put
on human nature (Blue Letter
Bible, zoe)
Witness Testimony (14x), record (7x), …of the testimony establishing the
report (1x) Messiahship and divinity of Jesus
by John the Baptist (Blue Letter
Bible, martyria)
World Adorning (1x) The inhabitants of the earth, men,
the human race (Blue Letter Bible,
kosmos)
Glory Glorious (10x), honor (6x), The honor intended for God, or the
praise (4x), dignity (2x), majesty and eminence which
worship. radiated from God’s own being.
This word is linked, in John, with
“light” to show that the majesty
and eminence of God is revealed
in Christ (Green, 1992, p. 269)
“the glory of the One and only”
Baptize Wash (2x), baptist (1x) 1) to dip repeatedly, to immerse,
to submerge (of vessels sunk) 2) to
cleanse by dipping or submerging,
to wash, to make clean with water,
to wash one's self, bathe 3) to
overwhelm (Blue Letter Bible,
baptizo)
“Son of God” “The NT characteristically
describes Jesus’ relationship with
God in terms of divine sonship.
The concept itself carries a variety
of meanings, including,
commissioning to special work,
 John 1 6

obedience, intimate, fellowship,

knowledge, likeness and receiving
of blessings and gifts” (Green,
1992, p. 770)
“Lamb of God” This phrase is only used by John
and according to Green (1992) has
3 possible meanings. 1) the daily
offering in the Temple, 2) the
Passoer lamb and 3)
metaphorically as “Yahweh’s
servant” lamb of Isaiah 57:7 (p.
433)
Rabbi 1) my great one, my honourable
sir
2) Rabbi, a title used by the Jews
to address their teachers (and also
honour them when not addressing
them) (Blue Letter Bible, rhabbi)
“King of Israel” Again, this phrase is only
employed by John (1:49; 12:13).
Jamieson et al suggests this refers
to Christ’s office whereas, “Son of
God” refers to His person
(Jamieson, et al, 2000)

Application

John 1 carries with it many applications pertinent to the life of all believers. John

admonishes the reader to recognize and believe in Christ as a means to salvation. One could also

look at the words of Nathanael (1:49) and see the revelation of Christ is three-fold. He is our

teacher, the begotten of God who gives His life and the King who rules over His creation.

Application could be made concerning the end result of belief is becoming a child of God and

how that impacts every aspect of life. One might speak of the Doctrine of Adoption as we are
 John 1 7

brought into the family of God not by human will but by supernatural means and love. One could

apply the incarnation to modern believers in that Christ became man so as to be touched by the

feelings of our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15). These are only a few of the many applications that

spring forth from this treasure house of a chapter.

 John 1 8

References

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for archē (Strong's 746)".
Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 27 Sep 2009.
<http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=G746&t=KJV >

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for logos (Strong's 3056)".
Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 27 Sep 2009.
<http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=G3056&t=KJV>

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for phōs (Strong's 5457)".
Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 27 Sep 2009.
<http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=G5457&t=KJV>

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for zōē (Strong's 2222)". Blue
Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 27 Sep 2009.
<http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=G2222&t=KJV>

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for martyria (Strong's 3141)".
Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 27 Sep 2009.
<http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=G3141&t=KJV>

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for kosmos (Strong's 2889)".
Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 27 Sep 2009.
<http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=G2889&t=KJV>

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for baptizō (Strong's 907)".
Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 27 Sep 2009.
<http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=G907&t=KJV >

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for rhabbi (Strong's 4461)".
Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 27 Sep 2009.
<http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=G4461&t=KJV>

Green, J., McKnight. (1992). Glory. In Dictionary of Jesus and the gospels (pp. 268-270).
Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Green, J., McKnight. (1992). Son of God. In Dictionary of Jesus and the gospels (pp. 769-775).
 John 1 9

Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Green, J., McKnight. (1992). Lamb of God. In Dictionary of Jesus and the gospels (pp. 432-
434). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Jamieson, Robert; A.R. Fausset; and David Brown. "Commentary on John 1." .
Blue Letter Bible. 19 Feb 2000. 2009. 27 Sep 2009.
<http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?
AuthorID=7&contentID=2905&commInfo=6&topic=John&ar=Jhn_1_49
>