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 5:20, 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?
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• - What does light represent here in this section?
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• - How were people responding to Jesus in this section?
- What were the negative responses?
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• - What were the positive responses?
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- What were the negative responses?
- What are people challenged to do in v.12,13 also consider the cross reference John 5:24?
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• - Why are witnesses and testimonies important?
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• - How did John describe Jesus?
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• - Why is it important to respond to things that God reveals to us?
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