John 1

The Word Became Flesh

1In the beginning was the Wordand the Word was with Godand the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was lifeand that life was the light of all mankind. 5The light shines in the darknessand the darkness has not overcome#1:5 Or understood it.

6There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that lightso that through him all might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

9The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10He was in the worldand though the world was made through himthe world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his ownbut his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who did receive himto those who believed in his namehe gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descentnor of human decision or a husband’s willbut born of God.

14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glorythe glory of the one and only Sonwho came from the Fatherfull of grace and truth.

15(John testified concerning him. He cried outsaying“This is the one I spoke about when I said‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ”) 16Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen Godbut the one and only Sonwho is himself God and#1:18 Some manuscripts but the only Sonwho is in closest relationship with the Fatherhas made him known.

John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah

19Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders#1:19 The Greek term traditionally translated the Jews (hoi Ioudaioi) refers here and elsewhere in John’s Gospel to those Jewish leaders who opposed Jesus; also in 5:1015,16; 7:1,11,13; 9:22; 18:14,28,36; 19:7,12,31,38; 20:19. in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20He did not fail to confessbut confessed freely“I am not the Messiah.”

21They asked him“Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”

He said“I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

He answered“No.”

22Finally they said“Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

23John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet“I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ ”#1:23 Isaiah 40:3

24Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25questioned him“Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiahnor Elijahnor the Prophet?”

26“I baptize with#1:26 Or in; also in verses 31 and 33 (twice) water,” John replied“but among you stands one you do not know. 27He is the one who comes after methe straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

28This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordanwhere John was baptizing.

John Testifies About Jesus

29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said“Lookthe Lamb of Godwho takes away the sin of the world! 30This is the one I meant when I said‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31I myself did not know himbut the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33And I myself did not know himbut the one who sent me to baptize with water told me‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”#1:34 See Isaiah 42:1; many manuscripts is the Son of God.

John’s Disciples Follow Jesus

35The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36When he saw Jesus passing byhe said“Lookthe Lamb of God!”

37When the two disciples heard him say thisthey followed Jesus. 38Turning aroundJesus saw them following and asked“What do you want?”

They said“Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”)“where are you staying?”

39 “Come,” he replied“and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was stayingand they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

40AndrewSimon Peter’s brotherwas one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him“We have found the Messiah” (that isthe Christ). 42And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said“You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (whichwhen translatedis Peter#1:42 Cephas (Aramaic) and Peter (Greek) both mean rock.).

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

43The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philiphe said to him“Follow me.”

44Philiplike Andrew and Peterwas from the town of Bethsaida. 45Philip found Nathanael and told him“We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Lawand about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareththe son of Joseph.”

46“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

47When Jesus saw Nathanael approachinghe said of him“Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

48“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered“I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

49Then Nathanael declared“Rabbiyou are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

50Jesus said“You believe#1:50 Or Do you believe…? because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51He then added“Very truly I tell you,#1:51 The Greek is plural. you#1:51 The Greek is plural. will see ‘heaven openand the angels of God ascending and descending on’#1:51 Gen. 28:12 the Son of Man.”

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