Arguably the best known and most influential passage dealing with christology in the new testament is the prologue of the gospel of john, 1. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. The word is used in this way in all its uses in the gospel of john 1. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with god, and the word was god. Dec 27, 2001 comments off on the prologue of the gospel of john. What is highlighted in the prologue is exegeted by the gospel. In origin, it was probably an early christian hymn. Sproul parallels the introduction of the book of john as being an echo of what was in genesis chapter 1. The remainder of johns gospel deals with the themes introduced here. Thus the word means oneofakind and is reserved for jesus in the johannine literature of the nt. John 1 niv the word became flesh in the bible gateway. Aug 01, 2009 there was a man sent from god whose name was john.
Most scholars would agree that the prologue to the fourth gospelas john 1. The meaning of logos in the prologue of johns gospel. The prologue chapter one, verses one through eighteen to the gospel of st. Another verse in this prologue to the gospel makes a similarly bold statement of jesus. A great deal has been written about john s use of logos here, but essentially, in verse 1 john is saying that jesus in the flesh is the very expression of god himself, and that this jesus is god himself a very bold statement indeed to begin john s gospel. Sproul introduces us to the gospel of john and immediately launches into a discussion of the meaning behind the logos. John brings in the vertical jesus is above and beyond all that. No agreement, however, exists on the point in the narrative at which the shift from one state to the other takes place. Chapter 1 of the gospel of john original greek text and. John is a mystical reflection on the divinity and incarnation of jesus christ, the word made flesh. The prologue of the gospel of john alpha and omega. John has woven his prologue and his gospel into a seamless garment. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. Incarnation and covenant in the prologue to the fourth.
This verse provides the framework not only for the prologue that encompasses verses one through eighteen, but for the entire gospel itself. John uses life 36 times in his gospel, more than any other new testament book. In the prologue we learn that jesus is the word, the full and final expression of god 1. Godets discussion of the following is frederic godets discussion of the word logos in the prologue of johns gospel quoted in part by vincent in the above article from the english translation of his commentary. In the prologue to his gospel, john announces the good news and tells both from whom it comes and to whom it is sent.
A prologue is an opening or introduction to a bigger piece of work. John 1 is the first chapter in the gospel of john in the new testament of the christian bible. These were written earlier than the gospel of john, and it seems likely that the prologue borrows from them. What does this passage from johns gospel suggest about jesus.
But, as so often happens in the new testament, the inspired new testament writers who came from the cultural, ritual, and spiritual. Jesus in the gospel of john chapter 1 jesus is god. Incarnation and covenant in the prologue to the fourth gospel. The same is he that shall come after me, who is preferred before me. John 1 the word became flesh 1 in the beginning was the word, and the word was with god, and the word was god. Life, especially eternal life, will become one of the major themes of johns gospel. The greek verb marturew occurs 33 times compare to once in matthew, once in luke, 0 in mark and the noun marturia 14 times 0 in matthew, once in. It is also probably the most studied and discussed passage even more than the christ poem in philippians 2. The prologue of john is one of the most significant theological passages in the new testament of the bible. We have been to the mountaintop as we finish our reading of john 1. In the beginning was the word in the other gospels, jesus story takes place in the horizontal dimensions of the geography and history of israel. Christ is greater than moses chapter 6, greater than abraham chapter 8, greater than the tabernacletemple chapter 2. The antichrist is here great sermon feb 19th, 2020 duration. John was trying to say that jesus christ was in the beginning and he was the word which existed in the beginning before creation or before the world began and was fully god john 1.
The prologue of the gospel of john alpha and omega ministries. He then goes into a discussion of the titles given to jesus. This remarkable, profound portion is not merely a preface or an introduction. Most scholars would agree that the prologue to the fourth gospel as john 1. But both these beginnings could be confusing, so john begins at the true beginning, with creation itself.
Within the gospel itself there are also some inconsistencies, e. Commentary on the gospel of john, with an historical and critical introduction by f. Chapters two through twelve describe the private and public ministry of jesus, including the signs he performed. All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. While the gospel of john does not reveal the desires and plans of the gods. Horner has some interesting comments on the prologue john 1. An exegetical study of the prologue of john john 1. In the greek language of the 1 st century when this gospel was written, the word logos word was associated with the order and the design of the universe and with the intelligible expression of the greek gods as they interacted with and governed man and creation.
In a play, the prologue is often a dramatic recitation given by the narrator that will help the audience know what to. You could argue that john 1 v 14 is the climax of the whole prologue. The next phrase, the life was the light of men, then either points. The prologue in chapter one lays the theological foundation for the rest of the book. In the douayrheims, king james, new international, and other versions of the bible, the verse reads. While all christians are children of god, jesus is gods son in a unique, oneofakind sense. John 1 2,0,0,0 united states conference of catholic bishops. The gospel of john begins with a lovely little poem about jesus. Mar 24, 2011 the prologue of john functions, therefore, as the cornerstone for the entire gospel, the lens through which the gospel must be read. John, chapter 1 united states conference of catholic bishops. Gospel of john prologue chapter 1 tim mackie the bible project. John chapter 1 is very often known as johns prologue. It is of great importance that the magnificent language and imagery of the prologue not detract the reader from grasping its functional significance for explaining and directing the rest of the gospel.
John is a mystical reflection on the divinity and incarnation of jesus christ, the word. The prologue or hymn to the word verses 1 18 the testimony of john the baptist verses 1934. Carson the gospel according to john eerdmansapollos, p. Chapter 1 the prologue to the gospel 1 in the beginning was the word, and the word was with god, and the word was fully god. Gospel of john prologue chapter 1 tim mackie the bible. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
A great deal has been written about johns use of logos here, but essentially, in verse 1 john is saying that jesus in the flesh is the very expression of god himself, and that this jesus is god himself a very bold statement indeed to begin johns gospel. John 1 niv bible in the beginning was the word, and the. We have ascended the heights of eternity where we have been given a glimpse of the ineffable, ontic. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with god, and the word was fully god. Most important of all, he identifies the messenger who brings it. Godet, translated from the third french edition by timothy dwight, vol. The first chapter of the gospel of john has 51 verses and may be divided in three parts. What is displayed by the gospel is epexegetical of the prologue. The only son, god, who is at the fathers side, has revealed him. The opening verses of johns gospel is designed to paint the big picture of jesus who. The prologue of johns gospel sermon by ken mckinley, john. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early christian. An exegetical essay on john chapter 1 religion essay.
The prologue closely parallels the great hymn of philippians 2. We notice in the other gospels, known as the synoptics because of the close similarities in each account, that jesus is portrayed in many different ways. The prologue is more than an introduction to the gospel. In the beginning was the wordin the other gospels, jesus story takes place in the horizontal dimensions of the geography and history of israel. John s gospel is a revelation of the eschatological conquest of the darkness. A careful examination of this material repays any student of johns gospel many times over. The word became flesh in the beginning was the word, and the word was with god, and the word was god. The prologue also introduces the figure of john the baptist 1.