John 1

The Word

The Word — Greek Logos; the One through whom God speaks, reveals, and creates

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1–2

Before His birth Jesus existed with the Father and was God — the premortal Jehovah. He is called the Word because He is the Father's messenger and voice to all creation.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interpreted by D&C 93:8 — He was the Word, even the messenger of salvation.
• interpreted by Moses 1:32 — By the word of my power have I created them, which is mine Only Begotten Son.
• the same title in Revelation 19:13 — His name is called The Word of God.
• alluded to by 1 John 1:1 — That which was from the beginning... of the Word of life.

The Premortal Christ

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1–2

John testifies that Jesus was already God in the beginning. Latter-day scripture teaches He was Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament, before He came to earth.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by D&C 93:7 — In the beginning the Word was, for he was the Word.
• the same event in Abraham 3:27 — The premortal Son: 'Here am I, send me.'

Creator

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:3

Under the Father's direction, Jesus created everything. The Creator of the world is the same Jesus who later came into it.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interpreted by Moses 1:33 — Worlds without number have I created; and by the Son I created them.
• the same title in Mosiah 3:8 — Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things.
• the same event in Colossians 1:16 — By him were all things created.
• the same event in Hebrews 1:2 — By whom also he made the worlds.

Light of the World

In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:4–5

Christ is the source of life and of the light that shines in every soul. The darkness of the world could not understand or overcome Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in John 8:12 — 'I am the light of the world.'
• quoted by D&C 88:49 — The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.
• quoted by D&C 45:7 — The Lord: the light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not.

The Light

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. John 1:6–8

John the Baptist was sent from God as a witness pointing to Jesus, the Light. His whole mission was to help people believe in Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils 1 Nephi 10:7-8 — Lehi foretold a prophet who would prepare the way of the Lord.

The True Light / Light of Christ

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. John 1:9

Every person born receives light from Christ, which helps them know good from evil. Latter-day Saints call this the Light of Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quoted by D&C 93:2 — The true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
• alluded to by D&C 84:46 — The Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world.
• alluded to by Moroni 7:16 — The Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil.

The Creator Rejected by His Own

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. John 1:10–11

The very Creator of the world came into it, and His own covenant people did not receive Him. The risen Lord repeats these words about Himself in latter-day and Book of Mormon scripture.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quoted by 3 Nephi 9:16 — Christ: 'I came unto my own, and my own received me not.'
• quoted by D&C 45:8 — 'I came unto mine own, and mine own received me not.'
• fulfils Isaiah 53:3 — Despised and rejected of men.

Sons of God through His Name

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: John 1:12–13

Those who receive Christ and believe on His name are spiritually born of God and become His sons and daughters. Christ gives that power.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quoted by D&C 11:30 — 'As many as receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on my name.'
• alluded to by Mosiah 5:7 — Ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters.

The Word Made Flesh

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 1:14

The premortal God took a mortal body and lived among people. This is the condescension of God that Nephi was shown.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils 1 Nephi 11:16-18 — The condescension of God: the virgin is the mother of the Son of God after the manner of the flesh.
• fulfils Mosiah 3:5 — The Lord Omnipotent shall come down from heaven and dwell in a tabernacle of clay.

Only Begotten of the Father

Only Begotten — the only child of God the Father in the flesh

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 1:14

Jesus is the only one born with God the Father as His literal father in the flesh. The apostles saw His glory, full of grace and truth.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quoted by D&C 93:11 — The glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
• the same title in Moses 1:6 — Mine Only Begotten... full of grace and truth.
• the same title in Moses 5:7 — The Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.

He Was Before Me

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. John 1:15

Jesus was born months after John, yet John says He existed before him. John is testifying of Christ's premortal existence and greatness.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in John 1:30 — John repeats the same witness.
• alluded to by John 8:58 — 'Before Abraham was, I am.'

Grace and Truth by Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ — Jesus ('Jehovah saves') the Christ ('the Anointed One')

And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. John 1:16–17

Moses brought the law, which pointed forward; Jesus Christ brings the grace and truth the law pointed to. We receive from His fulness, grace upon grace.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by D&C 93:12-13 — He received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace.
• the same title in Mosiah 13:28 — Salvation doth not come by the law alone, but through the atonement.

Only Begotten Son who Declares the Father

Only Begotten — the only child of the Father in the flesh

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. John 1:18

The Son, close to the Father's heart, reveals the Father to us. To know Jesus is to know what the Father is like.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in John 14:9 — 'He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.'
• the same title in John 3:16 — His only begotten Son.

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? John 1:19–20

Many wondered if John was the promised Christ. He humbly and firmly points away from himself to the true Messiah.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in John 3:28 — 'I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.'

That Prophet — the Prophet like Moses

And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. John 1:21

'That prophet' is the prophet like Moses whom Moses foretold. The Book of Mormon and the risen Lord identify that prophet as Jesus Christ Himself.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Deuteronomy 18:15 — The LORD will raise up a Prophet like unto Moses.
• interpreted by 1 Nephi 22:21 — The prophet of whom Moses spake was the Holy One of Israel.
• interpreted by 3 Nephi 20:23 — Christ: 'Behold, I am he of whom Moses spake.'

The LORD whose Way Is Prepared

Jehovah — the covenant name of God, 'I AM' / 'the Eternal One'

He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. John 1:23

Isaiah said a voice would prepare the way of the LORD (Jehovah). John applies it to himself preparing the way for Jesus, showing that Jesus is the LORD of the Old Testament.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• interprets Isaiah 40:3 — 'Prepare ye the way of the LORD.'
• fulfils 1 Nephi 10:8 — Lehi: a prophet crying 'Prepare ye the way of the Lord.'
• a parallel account in Matthew 3:3 — Same Isaiah prophecy applied to John.

The One Among You

John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; John 1:26–27

John says the Messiah is already standing among them unrecognized, and he is not worthy even to untie His sandal. Lehi had foretold these very words centuries earlier.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils 1 Nephi 10:8 — There standeth one among you whom ye know not... whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

Lamb of God

Lamb of God — the sacrificial lamb provided by God

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29

Every sacrificial lamb in the law of Moses pointed to Jesus. He is the Lamb God provides, whose sacrifice takes away the sin of the whole world.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils 1 Nephi 10:10 — He should behold and bear record that he had baptized the Lamb of God, who should take away the sins of the world.
• alludes to Isaiah 53:7 — Brought as a lamb to the slaughter.
• typified by Exodus 12:3-7 — The Passover lamb.
• typified by Genesis 22:8 — God will provide himself a lamb.
• the same title in 1 Nephi 11:21 — Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father.

He Was Before Me

This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. John 1:30–31

John repeats that Jesus existed before him and that his baptizing was meant to reveal Jesus to Israel.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in John 1:15 — The first statement of this witness.

The Anointed with the Spirit

Messiah — the Anointed One

And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. John 1:32–33

The Holy Ghost descends and remains on Jesus as the sign God gave John. Jesus is anointed with the Spirit, and He is the one who baptizes others with the Holy Ghost.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Isaiah 11:2 — The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him.
• fulfils 1 Nephi 11:27 — The Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abide upon him in the form of a dove.
• the same event in 2 Nephi 31:8 — The Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove.

Son of God

And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. John 1:34

As an eyewitness, John testifies that Jesus is the Son of God. His record is the climax of his mission.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in Matthew 3:17 — The Father's voice at the baptism: 'This is my beloved Son.'

Lamb of God

Lamb of God — the sacrifice provided by God

Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; John 1:35–37

John again points to Jesus as the Lamb of God, and two of his own disciples leave him to follow Jesus. A true witness sends people to Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in John 1:29 — The first 'Behold the Lamb of God.'

Rabbi / Master

Rabbi — Hebrew 'my great one'; interpreted Master or Teacher

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? John 1:38–39

The first disciples call Jesus Rabbi, their Master, and He invites them to 'come and see.' Discipleship begins with an invitation to come to Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

Messiah

Messias (Hebrew Mashiach) = Christ (Greek Christos) — the Anointed One

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. John 1:41

Andrew announces to his brother Peter that they have found the long-promised Messiah. John translates the Hebrew title into its Greek form, Christ; both mean the Anointed One.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Daniel 9:25 — Messiah the Prince.
• the same title in 1 Nephi 10:4 — A Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world.
• the same title in John 4:25 — Messias cometh, which is called Christ.

Follow Me

The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. John 1:43

Jesus calls Philip with two simple words. Following Him is the heart of the doctrine of Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by 2 Nephi 31:10 — The words of the Son: 'Follow thou me.'

The One of whom Moses and the Prophets Wrote

Jesus — 'Jehovah saves'

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. John 1:45–46

Philip testifies that Jesus is the one the whole Old Testament was written about. The law and the prophets point to Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interprets Deuteronomy 18:15 — Moses wrote of a Prophet like unto him.
• the same title in Luke 24:27 — Jesus expounds Moses and all the prophets concerning Himself.

Jesus Who Knows the Heart

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! John 1:47–48

Jesus knows Nathanael's character and where he was before they ever met. His divine knowledge helps Nathanael believe.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

Son of God; King of Israel

King of Israel — a title the Old Testament gives to Jehovah Himself

Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. John 1:49

Nathanael confesses Jesus as both Son of God and King of Israel. In Isaiah and Zephaniah, the King of Israel is the LORD Himself, so this confession points to Jesus as Jehovah.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Isaiah 44:6 — Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts.
• the same title in Zephaniah 3:15 — The king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee.

Son of Man — the Ladder to Heaven

Son of Man — the Son of Man of Holiness (the Father)

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. John 1:50–51

Jesus uses the image of Jacob's ladder and puts Himself in its place. He is the connection between heaven and earth, the way back to God.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Genesis 28:12 — Jacob's dream: a ladder with the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
• interpreted by Moses 6:57 — The name of His Only Begotten is the Son of Man.