6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. 9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.
Interesting Words
light
phós – light, a source of light, radiance, light (especially in terms of its results, what it manifests), from phao, to shine; the manifestation of God’s self-existent life; divine illumination to reveal and impart life, through Christ… John 1:4-5; John 11:9-10; Luke 8:16; 2Cor 4:6; Isa 60:19; 1John 1:5, 7; John 8:12; Acts 13:47; Isa 42:6; Luke 1:78-79;
enlightens
phótizó – shine, give light, light up, illumine, bring to light, make evident, reveal, (figuratively) God sharing His life, exposing and overcoming darkness… John 1:9; Eph 3:9; 1Cor 4:5; 2Tim 1:10; Eph 1:18;
receive
paralambanó – take from, receive from (apparently not used of money), admit, acknowledge; (from pará, “from close-alongside” and lambánō, “aggressively take”) showing strong personal initiative… John 14:2-3; Matt 1:20, 24; 2:13, 20; Col 2:6-7; Col 4:17; Gal 1:12; 1Thes 2:13;
grace
charis – grace, kindness, favor as a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ… Eph 2:8-9; Col 4:6; Acts 4:33; Col 1:2; 1Peter 1:2; Rom 3:24, 4:4; Rom 11:6; 2Tim1:9; 2Cor 8:9;
Cross References
• John 1:14
• 1John 1:3
• John 15:15
• John 20:30, 31
• Rev 2:7
• John 5:24
• Matt 7:14; 1John 5:11-12, 1John 5:13;
John 11:25-26; Acts 5:19-20; Rev 21:6;
Rev 22:17;
Discussion Questions
- Why is light important?
- It gives luminescence to see what is around us, keeping us from stubbing our toes.
- It guides us down the right path.
- It gives insight into the true world around us even though it may be invisible to the eye, John 1:9.
- What does light represent here in this section?
- It is the Light that enlightens ever person, it is the soul that indwells each of us, Isa 49:6.
- It is that God shaped vacuum in us that calls each of us to a closer walk with God, 1John 2:8.
- It is that longing we all have for a better life outside the darkness of this present world, Isa 60:19.
- How were people responding to Jesus in this section?
- What were the negative responses?
- The world did not know Him.
- His own people did not receive. They did bit respond favorably .
- What were the positive responses?
- Some however, did receive Him and had right to become children of God.
- They were the ones who believed in His name.
- They were born not of flesh and blood but of the God.
- They were born not by their own decision, but by the process of God
- What were the negative responses?
- What are people challenged to do in v.12,13 also consider the cross-reference John 5:24?
- People are challenged to take a hold of Jesus and the new life He offers.
- They should aggressively take His offer and seize the opportunity.
- This is the offer of new life, new opportunity, to be in on what God is doing.
- His offer is there for us and is intended to help us in times of need (Heb 4:16)
- Why are witnesses and testimonies important?
- We were not there, we could not have been there is was centuries ago.
- The only way for anyone to be informed is to listen to the testimonies of those who were there.
- How did John describe Jesus?
- John said he was a higher rank that he was.
- He was a prophet and completely in touch with God and yet Jesus out ranked him.
- He saw with his own eyes the glory that God had given to Jesus at His baptism and in how He spoke about God.
- Why is it important to remember the legal ramifications of this written testimony?
- God provided this information to draw us to Himself.
- He wants all men and women everywhere to come to Him and have a relationship (1John 1:3, John 5:24)
- God went to extreme measures to provide for us an alternative to judgement.
- We need to draw near to Him as He is calling us (Heb 4:16).