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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 1:45 mean?

Explanation

The verse John 1:45 is part of the narrative in the New Testament of the Bible, recounting the early days of Jesus's ministry and the calling of his disciples.

In this verse, Philip, one of Jesus's first followers, approaches Nathanael, sometimes identified as Bartholomew in other gospel accounts, to tell him about Jesus.

Philip identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures, specifically the Law (the Torah) and the writings of the prophets, which were central to Jewish teaching and expectation of a Messiah.

By naming Jesus of Nazareth as the son of Joseph, Philip is indicating Jesus's human lineage and making Him accessible to Nathanael as someone familiar and identifiable.

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Historical Context

John 1:45 takes place at the outset of Jesus's public activities in the first century CE in the region of Galilee.

At this time, Jewish expectation for a Messiah , a savior or liberator , was heightened due to the political and social pressures under Roman rule.

The identification of Jesus with prophecies from the Hebrew Scriptures was of significant importance to the early Christian community as they sought to understand and explain Jesus's life and mission in relation to Jewish tradition.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse underscores the belief in Jesus as the promised Messiah and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

The reference to the Law and the prophets serves as an affirmation of Jesus’s divine mission and the continuity of Christian revelation with the Jewish tradition.

Different Christian denominations may emphasize varying aspects of this continuity and fulfillment.

Practical Applications

This verse invites individuals to consider the fulfillment of promises and expectations in their own lives and to recognize ways in which their personal beliefs and understandings connect to a broader historical and spiritual context.

It challenges believers to seek out and acknowledge the ways God might be working in the world, often through unexpected means and messengers.

Cross-References

John 5:46: "For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me."
Luke 24:27: "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself."
Luke 24:44: "And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word for "findeth" is "εὑρίσκει" (heuriskei), which can also mean "to come upon" or "to discover".

"Law" translates from the Greek "νόμος" (nomos), signifying specifically the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.

Finally, "wrote" is derived from "γέγραπται" (gegraptai), the perfect passive indicative form of "to write," indicating a permanent or ongoing state, a text that remains relevant and authoritative.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient religions and cultures, the idea of a prophesied savior or chosen one is a recurring theme. Comparable narratives can be found, for instance, in Zoroastrianism with the coming of a Saoshyant, or in various mythologies with hero figures whose advent is foretold.

This verse in John engages with the Jewish Messianic expectation in a way that might parallel other culture's myths but remains distinctive in its historical and theological claims.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse John 1:45 does not directly engage with scientific ideas, contemporary readers may reflect on the ways that archaeology and historical research can help contextualize the passage.

Such research can illuminate the first-century Jewish world, confirming or expanding upon our understanding of the expectations of a Messiah during that period.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various insights on John 1:45.

Many agree that this verse is significant for establishing Jesus’s early recognition as the one spoken of in Hebrew Scriptures.

Some commentaries might focus on the apostolic testimony as evidence of early Christian belief in Jesus as Messiah, while others might delve into the scriptural exegesis to identify the specific prophecies of Moses and the prophets referenced by Philip.

Each commentary provides a unique perspective based on the commentator's theological background and interpretive approach.

John 1

John 1

What does John 1:45 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 1:45 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?