1:1-5 The Beginning
Passage: John 1:1-5 (BSB)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.
4 In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.
5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Cross-References
| Verse | Cross-References |
|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 1:1-2; Proverbs 8:22-30; 1 John 1:1; Philippians 2:6; Revelation 19:13; Hebrews 11:1-3 |
| 2 | John 17:5; 1 John 1:2; Colossians 1:17 |
| 3 | Genesis 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Psalm 33:6 |
| 4 | John 8:12; John 11:25; John 14:6; 1 John 1:1-2 |
| 5 | Genesis 1:4-5; Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4:16; John 3:19; 2 Corinthians 4:6 |
Context
John starts with the beginning. This has echos of Genesis 1.
Observation
What does the passage actually say? Read it 2-3 times before moving on.
Jesus is God. He is with God. He is the Word of God. He is the Light of the world.
Jesus exists eternally as/with God.
All things were created through Jesus - including man.
Jesus is the Light that overcomes the darkness.
Interpretation
What did this mean to the original audience? What is the author's main point?
This passage mirrors and echos Genesis 1:1-3. When God created the earth it was covered in darkness, and when He spoke - His Word - the first thing He did was call forth the Light. The light called forth in Genesis 3 was not the daytime light from the sun because that was created on day 4. I believe the Light called forth on the first day was Jesus beginning His redemptive work of bringing God's creation out of darkness and into the Light of His glory.
Man was created in God's image. Jesus is the image that man was created in. He lived the perfect life - the life that we were made to live. Jesus was not born into a strange form - He was born into His own image.
John 1:1-5 is the link between Genesis 1:1-3 and Revelation 21:23-25 and 22:5 The earth started out covered in darkness, and by the creative, redemptive work of Jesus it will be covered in light when God's plan is fulfilled.
Application
What does this mean for me, today?
Jesus is the creative Word of God, and the redemptive Light of God. I just need to follow Him. It's not easy, but it's simple.
Prayer
Turn what you learned into a prayer.
God, thank You for creating me in Your image. Thank You Jesus, for redeeming me out of the darkness, and into the light of Your glory. I stand in awe of your creative and redemptive power. I am yours Lord. Have Your way with me. Lead me, teach me, and glorify Yourself through me.
Notes / Questions
Anything unresolved to study further or ask someone about.
Resources
Links to online sources of information or bibliography of useful books.