John 1 from the King James Version (KJV) Bible is a foundational chapter in Christian scripture, revered for its profound introduction to Jesus Christ. This chapter lays the theological groundwork for the entire Gospel of John and has deeply influenced Christian doctrine for centuries. It begins at the very beginning, not just of Jesus’ earthly ministry, but of all creation, establishing Jesus’ divine nature and his crucial role in God’s plan for humanity.
The Word Made Flesh: John 1:1-5
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
These opening verses are among the most significant in the Bible. They introduce “the Word,” identified later in the chapter as Jesus Christ, and assert his eternal existence and divinity. The phrase “In the beginning” echoes Genesis 1:1, linking Jesus to creation itself. Verse 3 emphasizes Jesus’ role as the agent of creation, stating that “all things were made by him.” This establishes Jesus not merely as a part of creation, but as the very one through whom creation came into being. The verses further describe the Word as the source of life and light, contrasting light with darkness, a recurring theme in John’s Gospel representing good versus evil, and truth versus falsehood.
The Witness of John the Baptist: John 1:6-8
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
Transitioning from the cosmic to the earthly, John introduces John the Baptist. It’s crucial to note that John the Baptist is presented not as the Light himself, but as a witness to the Light. His divinely appointed role was to prepare the way for Jesus and to testify to his identity. This section highlights the importance of testimony and witness in revealing truth, a theme that continues throughout the Gospel.
The True Light and the World’s Rejection: John 1:9-13
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Here, John clarifies that Jesus is “the true Light,” emphasizing his unique and ultimate nature as the source of spiritual illumination. Despite being the creator of the world, the world “knew him not” and “received him not.” This highlights the tragic irony of humanity’s rejection of its own creator. However, verse 12 offers a message of hope: for those who do receive him, believing in his name, he grants the “power to become the sons of God.” This speaks to the transformative power of faith in Jesus, enabling spiritual rebirth and adoption into God’s family, not through human means (“blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man”), but through divine will (“of God”).
The Word Becomes Flesh: Incarnation and Glory: John 1:14-18
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Verse 14 is a pivotal statement of the Incarnation: “the Word was made flesh.” This declares that the divine Word, eternally existing with God, took on human form in Jesus Christ. The phrase “dwelt among us” (literally “tabernacled”) evokes the presence of God in the Old Testament tabernacle and temple, suggesting that in Jesus, God’s presence is manifested in a new and personal way. The glory of Jesus is described as “the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,” emphasizing his unique relationship with God. John the Baptist’s testimony is reiterated, reinforcing Jesus’ pre-existence and superiority. Verse 17 contrasts the law given through Moses with the “grace and truth” that come through Jesus Christ, highlighting the new covenant and the fulfillment of God’s promises. Finally, verse 18 states that Jesus, the “only begotten Son,” who is “in the bosom of the Father,” has “declared him” – revealing God to humanity in a way never before possible.
John’s Testimony to the Jewish Leaders: John 1:19-28
19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
This section shifts to John the Baptist’s interaction with Jewish leaders who questioned his authority and identity. John clearly denies being the Christ, Elias, or “that prophet,” identifying himself instead as “the voice of one crying in the wilderness,” quoting Isaiah 40:3. This humility underscores his role as a forerunner, not the Messiah himself. His baptism is explained as preparatory, pointing towards the one who is coming, whom John deems himself unworthy to serve (“whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose”). This section emphasizes John’s crucial role in preparing the way for Jesus’ ministry and clearly distinguishing himself from the Messiah.
Behold the Lamb of God: John 1:29-34
29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
The pivotal moment arrives when John the Baptist sees Jesus and proclaims, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” This is a central declaration of Jesus’ sacrificial and redemptive mission. The title “Lamb of God” connects Jesus to the Passover lamb and the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, foreshadowing his death as atonement for sin. John reiterates Jesus’ pre-existence and his own divinely ordained purpose to “make him manifest to Israel.” The descent of the Holy Spirit like a dove, and its abiding upon Jesus, is presented as the divine confirmation of Jesus’ identity and mission, leading John to declare, “This is the Son of God.”
The First Disciples: Following Jesus: John 1:35-51
35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.
40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
The chapter concludes with the calling of the first disciples. John the Baptist again directs his disciples to Jesus, calling him “the Lamb of God.” Two disciples follow Jesus and are invited to “Come and see,” beginning their personal relationship with him. Andrew brings his brother Simon Peter, and Jesus gives Simon a new name, Cephas (Peter), signifying his future role. Philip and Nathanael are also called. Nathanael’s initial skepticism (“Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?”) is overcome by a personal encounter with Jesus, leading him to confess, “Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.” Jesus’ final words in this chapter promise Nathanael and the disciples that they will see “greater things,” including “heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man,” alluding to Jacob’s ladder and foreshadowing the unfolding revelation of Jesus’ glory and mission.
Conclusion: The Foundation of Faith in KJV John 1
Kjv Bible John 1 provides a powerful and foundational introduction to Jesus Christ. It establishes his divinity, his role in creation, his identity as the Word, the Light, and the Lamb of God, and the beginning of his earthly ministry as followers begin to recognize and follow him. This chapter serves as an essential starting point for understanding the Gospel of John and the core tenets of Christian faith. It invites readers to consider the profound claims made about Jesus and to respond to the call to “come and see” for themselves.
