John 1:1 (a)
In the beginning
John marks the beginning of Jesus life as an event that took place before the beginning of eternity. In the beginning was the Wordnot at the beginning, not from the beginning, but in the beginning, Jesus was already there.
John 1:1 (b)
was the Word
Johns use of the Greek word logos is important. The Greeks had developed a philosophy articulated by Plato and others that was built upon the assumption that the logos, the word, was the foundation of everything on earth. The earth, Plato said, was simply a shadow of the reality of the logos that existed somewhere in the heavens. The Jews took the Greek concept of the logos one step further. Whereas Plato said behind everything theres a perfect thought (logos), the Jews said that behind the thought there must be a thinker.
We dont see perfection (logos) here on earth, but it must exist somewhere, said the Greek.
Yes. And if there is a true, perfect thought (logos), there must be a true, perfect thinker, added the Hebrew.
John bursts into the middle of this discussion, saying, In the beginning was the Logos, the Word, Godnot just a philosophy but a Personality. In the beginning was the Logosthe perfection and the Thinker.
John 1:1 (c)
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The Hebrew word for God in Genesis 1:1 is Elohim, a word that speaks of three or more. The use of Elohim way back in Genesis hints at the mystery of the Trinity. Its use by John reiterates the reality of the Trinity.
John 1:2
The same was in the beginning with God.
Contrary to the teaching of most cults, Jesus was not the first Created Being. He was already present in the beginning. He has always existed.
John 1:3
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Our sun is bigso big that 1,300,000 of our earths could fit inside. It is small, however, compared to Anteres, a star in our galaxy. Anteres is so big that 64 of our suns could fit inside of it. But Anteres is a relatively dinky star. Hercules is a big star. 110,000,000 Anteres could fit inside Hercules. So, 110 million Anteres, each big enough to hold 64 of our suns, which are big enough to hold 1,300,000 of our earths could fit into Hercules.
When we realize this, it is clear that on this planet, we are nothing more than specks on a speck in a speck. And yet most of the time we think were pretty speck-tacular, dont we? Now, put down your telescope, pick up your microscope, and consider a drop of water, which is equally amazing.
If you think back to junior-high science class, youll recall that each molecule of water is composed of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen. If you were able to enlarge each of the atoms in only a single drop of water to the size of a grain of sand, you would have enough sand to make a slab of concrete one foot thick and one half-mile high, stretching from San Francisco to New York City.
Of Jesus, Paul said, All things were created by Him (see Colossians 1:16). Scientists call the atomic force that holds together the nucleus of the atom atomic glue. The Bible, however, identifies this mysterious atomic glue as Jesus Christ, for by Him all things consist, or hold together (Colossians 1:17). There is coming a day when Jesus will let go of His hold on the atom. And the result will be chaos and utter devastation (2 Peter 3:10, 11). But in this day of grace, He continues to hold the galaxies, the atoms, and our lives together. Why do you exist today? You were made by Him. You were made for Him. And if you dont give your life to Him, like errant atoms youll fall apart. Life wont make sense. Youll wonder what youre doing, where youre going, and why youre living. The secret of life is found here in the prologue of John. All things were made by Him.
John 1:4, 5
In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
The Greek word translated comprehend can mean either extinguish or understand. Both meanings are applicable in this verse, for the darkness could neither understand nor extinguish Jesus. For three hours, the earth was darkened when it seemed the Light of the World was extinguished (Matthew 27:45). But three days later, He was backto shine in our hearts as the Bright and Morning Star (Revelation 22:16), the Dayspring From on High (Luke 1:78).
John 1:6
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
Here, John the apostle introduces us to John the Baptist. As a prophet, John the Baptist spoke to people on behalf of God. As a priest (Luke 1:5), he spoke to God on behalf of the people. Thats what ministry is all about. Ministry is both prophetic and priestlytalking to people about God and talking to God about people.
John 1:7 (a)
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light that all men through him might believe.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). The desire of Gods heart is that not one person should die without knowing Him. Think of the person who bugs and irritates you the most. Did you know that our Lord is madly in love with him, and desires that he be saved? I personally reject the ultra-Calvinistic teaching that says God has already determined that some are born to be damned. The Scripture says John was sent for a witness that all through him might believe. The word all in Greek is an interesting one. It means all!
John 1:8
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
At the time John wrote his Gospel, in A.D. 75 or so, people were already beginning to worship John the Baptist. We see the same thing happening today with the Bahai mentality that teaches there are many men of equal greatness. Jesus is good, it says. So is John the Baptist, Moses, Buddha, and Mohammed. The apostle John wanted to nip this idea in the bud. Thus, at the very outset of his Gospel, he makes it crystal clear that John the Baptist was not Jesus equal.
John 1:9
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
At the end of time, no one will be able to say that he didnt have an opportunity to know that there is a God. The Light has come, and it lights every man who comes into the world. Romans 1 tells us that creation around us is a testimony to Gods reality and that our conscience within us verifies His truth. Psalm 19 states that the heavens declare the glory of God, and that there is no place on earth where their voice is not heard. Thus, whether a man looks up to the sky, around at creation, or within his own heart, he is left without excuse regarding the existence of his Creator. Every man knows innately, intuitively that there is a God. I firmly believe that if there is someone in the most remote corner of the earth who is hungering and thirsting after a saving knowledge of God, God will do whatever it takes to contact that one. He may choose to speak to him through an angel, a miracle, or through
you. If youre concerned about lost people and Gods ability to reach them, dont stay here and discuss the ramifications of predestination. Go tell them Jesus died for them! You may be the very messenger the Lord uses to reach one who is waiting to hear the gospel.
John 1:10, 11
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
The first time the Greek word translated his own is used in this verse, it is in a neuter form, referring to creation. The second time, it is masculine, referring to humanity. In other words, Jesus came into this world, and all of creation acknowledged Him. The winds obeyed Him. The water supported Him. The rocks were ready to cry out to Him. But there was one segment of creation that received Him not: man. Human nature is the only part of nature that refuses to worship God.
When the Bulls and the Blazers play basketball, people in the stands go crazy. They lift their hands in the air victoriously, clap exuberantly, and cheer wildly. They stand, yell, and stomp their feet. And they wont care who sees them. The same thing happens at rock concerts and hockey games, beauty pageants and rodeos. Humanity creatively and radically worships with abandon. But when it comes to worshiping Jesus, arms fold, voices hush, and sitting becomes the position of choice. Our culture finds it very easy to worship sports, movie, or rock starsbut has great difficulty worshiping Jesus.
Application Commentary. Nashville, TN : Thomas Nelson, 2003, S. 435
