In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
What does John 1:1 mean?
The plainest reason why the Son of God is called the Word, seems to be, that as our words explain our minds to others, so was the Son of God sent in order to reveal his Father's mind to the world.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside John 1:1-5 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on John 1:1
In the beginning - This expression is used also in Genesis 1:1 . John evidently has allusion here to that place, and he means to apply to "the Word" an expression which is there applied "to God." In both places it clearly means before creation, before the world was made, when as yet there was nothing. The meaning is: that the "Word" had an existence before the world was created. This is not spoken of the man Jesus, but of that which "became" a man, or was incarnate, John 1:14 . The Hebrews, by expressions like this, commonly denoted eternity. Thus. the eternity of God is described Psalm 90:2 ; "Before the mountains were brought forth, etc.
Key words
- and this was truly
-
and this was truly .
- and this was truly
-
and this was truly .
Context in John 1
Show chapter context
John 1 belongs to the opening movement of the book, especially the section often described as prologue and book of signs. John presents Jesus in contemplative, symbolic, and theological richness as the Word, Lamb, Light, Bread, Shepherd, Resurrection, Way, Vine, and Son. Read this chapter with the wider themes of incarnation, life, and light in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
Explore by topic
A guided collection of passages on God’s love, neighbor-love, steadfast covenant love, and the shape of love in Christian life.
Passages on trusting God, receiving Christ, persevering without sight, and the relation between faith and lived obedience.
Passages on the nature of truth, honesty, deception, the word of God as truth, and Jesus' claim to be the truth.
Who quoted John 1:1?
Find out who used John 1:1 in their speeches and writings. Which famous people quoted John 1:1?
George Bush used John 1:1 in Remarks at the Annual Convention of the National Association of Broadcasters in Atlanta, Georgia.
George Bush used John 1:1 in Remarks at the Annual Convention of the National Religious Broadcasters.
APP: Remarks at the Annual Convention of the National Religious Broadcasters »
Quotes found on Wikiquote (match for «In the beginning was the Word»):
Archaeology of India · Attila the Stockbroker · Bette Davis · Burton Rascoe · Camelot (TV series) · Dan Simmons · Ellen G. White · James Branch Cabell · John the Evangelist · King James Version · Logos · May 2 · Metaphors · Nadine Gordimer · New International Version · New King James Version · Opening lines · Pele-joez-el-gibbor-abi-ad-sar-shalom · Phillip E. Johnson · Son of God · The Greatest Story Ever Told · The Sandman (comic book) · Tom Holt · Vulgate · William Tyndale