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    John 1 (KJV)

    Read John chapter 1 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

    John 1

    Deep Verse Commentaries in This Chapter

    John 1:1

    "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, an…"

    John 1:12

    "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become…"

    John 1:3

    "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thi…"

    John 1:14

    "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beh…"

    John 1:5

    "And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehe…"

    Popular Verses in John 1

    Most searched verses from this chapter, with KJV text and context.

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    Gospels — Jesus' Words

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    Gospels — Jesus' Words

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    Word Meaning

    Testimony (μαρτυρία (Martyria))

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    Word Meaning

    Testimony (עֵדוּת (eduth))

    A solemn witness declaration — God's revealed truth preserved as evidence for all generations.

    John 1 Summary

    John 1 opens with one of the Bible's most majestic prologues, echoing Genesis 1: 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.' The 'Word' (Logos) is identified as the eternal, pre-existent Christ through whom all things were created.

    The chapter introduces John the Baptist as the forerunner who points to Jesus as 'the Lamb of God.' It records the calling of the first disciples—Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael—each coming to faith through personal encounter. Nathanael's confession, 'Thou art the Son of God,' and Jesus' promise of greater things set the stage for the entire Gospel.

    Key Themes

    The deity of ChristThe Word made fleshLight and darknessTestimony and witnessCalling of disciples

    Key Verses in John 1

    "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

    — John 1:1

    The most concise statement of Christ's eternal deity—He was not created but has always existed as God.

    "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."

    — John 1:14

    The incarnation—God didn't send a representative; He came Himself, pitching His tent among humanity.

    "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

    — John 1:29

    John the Baptist's declaration connects Jesus to the entire sacrificial system—He is the final, sufficient sacrifice.

    Life Application

    John 1 answers life's deepest question: Who is Jesus? He's not merely a teacher or prophet—He is God in the flesh, the Creator who became part of His creation to rescue it. How you answer this question determines everything else about your life.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What does 'the Word' mean?

    The Greek 'Logos' carried rich meaning: to Jews, it echoed God's creative speech in Genesis; to Greeks, it meant the rational principle ordering the universe. John declares that this cosmic principle is not an idea but a Person—Jesus Christ.

    Why does John say Jesus 'dwelt' among us?

    The Greek word 'eskēnōsen' literally means 'tabernacled' or 'pitched His tent.' It connects Jesus to the Old Testament tabernacle where God's glory dwelt among Israel. In Jesus, God's presence is no longer in a tent but in a person.

    Read the full summary of John

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