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John 1

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

The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

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:

Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of 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 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.

And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.

Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?

He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.

And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?

John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;

He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

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.

And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

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?

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.

One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

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.

The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

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.

And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

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.

Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

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.

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.

What does John 1:13 mean?

Explanation

John 1:13 speaks to the spiritual birth of believers, distinguishing it from physical birth.

In a literal sense, it asserts that those who are children of God were born not because of natural descent nor through human decision or effort, but rather through divine will.

The deeper meaning emphasizes the concept of being "born again" or "born of the Spirit." This verse underlines that becoming a child of God is not an outcome of physical processes or human initiative but is solely a result of God's action and grace.

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Historical Context

The Gospel of John was written in a context where both Jewish and Hellenistic (Greek) philosophies mingled.

It was a period of early Christian thought, possibly around the late 1st or early 2nd century A.D., where the nature of Jesus and the concept of salvation were hotly debated topics.

The audience of this Gospel would have been familiar with both the Jewish heritage of a chosen people and the Greek idea of Logos, meaning 'Word' or 'Reason,' which John famously connects to Jesus (John 1:1).

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse has been interpreted in various ways.

From a Calvinist perspective, it might be seen as support for the doctrine of unconditional election, where God has predestined individuals to salvation.

Arminians might understand it as speaking to prevenient grace, where God's grace comes before and enables the free-will decision to follow Christ.

Catholic theology might focus on it as an affirmation of the divine initiative in the sacraments, like baptism, which are seen as necessary for salvation.

Each viewpoint emphasizes God's primary role in the process of spiritual rebirth.

Practical Applications

Practically, John 1:13 can influence the way individuals view their relationship with God. It fosters humility, as it signals that one's status as a child of God is not due to personal merit or effort.

Additionally, it encourages believers to depend not on human means but on divine grace for spiritual growth and transformation. This can shift the focus from self-effort to seeking a deeper relationship with God.

Cross-References

John 3:5-6: "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

1 Peter 1:23: "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."
James 1:18: "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures."

Language Study

The original Greek text offers nuances to some key words:

"born" (γεγέννηται): This passive perfect tense verb implies an action completed in the past with ongoing effects into the present.
"blood" (αἱμάτων): Here, it refers to natural lineage or descent.
"will of the flesh" (θελήματος σαρκός): It alludes to human sexual desire or physical processes of procreation.
"will of man" (θελήματος ἀνδρός): It indicates human volition or decision.
"but of God" (ἀλλὰ ἐκ Θεοῦ): Signifies divine origin, emphasizing the action and sovereign will of God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Similar concepts of divine begetting can be found in ancient mythologies, where gods often begot heroes or specific individuals with a special purpose.

However, in John 1:13, the concept is universalized to all who believe, rather than being limited to a select few, breaking with the traditional mythical motif.

In religious comparisons, this verse contrasts sharply with deterministic views found in some religious philosophies that lack personal divine engagement.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically, John 1:13 engages with the non-material aspect of human existence. Concepts like "being born of God" speak to aspects of human identity and consciousness that extend beyond what is currently measurable or explainable by science.

While the biological process of birth is well understood, science does not venture into affirming or denying the existence of spiritual rebirth, as it falls outside the scope of empirical study.

Commentaries

Biblical commentators offer a variety of interpretations on John 1:13.

Some focus on the theological doctrine of regeneration, emphasizing God's role in the spiritual rebirth of an individual.

Others consider the verse's implications for ecclesiology, how it shapes the understanding of the church not as an institution of man but as a creation of God.

Still, others might delve into the Christological implications, exploring how Christ's divine nature makes this new birth possible.

Overall, commentators agree on the centrality of divine action in the verse.

John 1

John 1

What does John 1:13 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 1:13 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?