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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 1:34 mean?

Explanation

John 1:34 is a direct declaration from John the Baptist acknowledging and affirming the identity of Jesus as the Son of God.

In this verse, John the Baptist testifies to what he has seen, presumably the event of Jesus' baptism where the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove and a voice from heaven proclaimed Jesus as the beloved Son.

This verse encapsulates the affirmation of Jesus' divine nature and His unique relationship with God the Father. It conveys a sense of certainty and personal witness from John the Baptist, which is integral to the establishment of Jesus' authority and identity in early Christian teachings.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

The Gospel of John is traditionally believed to be written by John the Apostle, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, although some scholars argue for a later authorship by followers of John.

The gospel was likely written towards the end of the first century AD, when the Christian faith was expanding in a primarily Jewish context but gradually reaching a Gentile audience.

The statement in John 1:34 would have served as a powerful testimony to early Christians and seekers, reinforcing the claims of Jesus' divinity and His messianic role as anticipated in Jewish prophecies and scripture.

Theological Insights

From an orthodox Christian theological perspective, John 1:34 is significant for its affirmation of the doctrine of the Trinity and the deity of Christ.

It highlights Jesus as not only the prophesied Messiah but also as the eternal Son of God.

Different commentators and theologians might emphasize different aspects of this passage.

Some may focus on the Trinitarian implications and how the Godhead is revealed at the baptism of Jesus. Others might draw on the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, noting that the Jewish expectation of a messianic figure is confirmed in Jesus.

Practical Applications

This verse encourages followers of Christ to bear witness to their faith.

Just as John the Baptist testified about Jesus, believers are called to share their personal experiences and convictions about who Jesus is.

It also serves as a reminder of the foundation of Christian belief in Jesus as the Son of God, prompting believers to reflect on the depth of this relationship and its impact on their own lives.

Christians are likewise inspired to affirm and reaffirm their faith in Jesus' divinity, which is central to the Christian confession and to the shaping of a Christ-centered life.

Cross-References

Matthew 3:17: "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
John 1:49: "Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel."
Mark 1:11: "And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Language Study

In the original Greek, key terms in this verse are quite significant:

"Saw" (εἶδον, eidon) implies not just physical seeing but a perception with understanding.
"Bare record" (μεμαρτύρηκα, memartyrēka) translates to "I have testified" or "I have borne witness," revealing the seriousness of John's statement.
"Son of God" (υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, huios tou Theou) is a title with deep Jewish roots, referencing the expected Messiah and here, affirming Jesus' divine nature.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This assertion from John the Baptist contrasts with other ancient myths where divine figures often come from a pantheon of gods with complex narratives of origin.

In ancient Greco-Roman mythology, for example, gods interacted with humans often for personal reasons, and demi-gods were common.

In contrast, the Christian claim is unique in its presentation of a singular God incarnate.

Other monotheistic religions, such as Judaism and Islam, acknowledge Jesus but differ in their recognition of his divinity, Judaism sees Jesus as a teacher or prophet, while Islam sees him as a prophet but not as God's son.

Scientific Perspectives

The declaration of 'Son of God' transcends scientific validation since it pertains to spiritual belief and the realm of faith.

Science does not currently possess the tools to empirically verify such metaphysical claims about divinity.

As a result, discussions about Jesus as the Son of God are not typically within the domain of scientific inquiry but remain in the philosophical and theological realms.

Commentaries

Various Bible commentators and scholars offer perspectives on John 1:34:

Matthew Henry's Commentary notes that John the Baptist clearly identified Jesus as the Messiah whom he had been heralding.
The MacArthur Study Bible commentary may emphasize the eyewitness aspect of John's testimony as an essential element of credible witnessing.
The New International Commentary on the New Testament might discuss the theological significance of the title "Son of God" and how it denotes Jesus' unique relationship with the Father.
William Barclay may comment on how the verse demonstrates the early Christian community's understanding of Jesus' identity.
The Pulpit Commentary might analyze the implications of John the Baptist's testimony for the religious authorities of his time.

Each commentary would offer insight into both the immediate significance of the verse and its broader implications for understanding the nature and mission of Jesus Christ.

John 1

John 1

What does John 1:34 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 1:34 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?