John 1

The person of Christ is described, that he is the eternal word of God, the true God, Creator of all things, the life and light of men, especially of those that believe in him, 14 and that this word became flesh. 15 John the Baptist gives testimony of the dignity of his person and office, 23 as also of his own calling. 29. Declareth again that Christ is the Lamb and Son of God, 32. and that he was made known to him, by the descending of the Holy Ghost upon him, 37 upon which Testimony two of Johns Disciples follow Christ, 41 of which the one, namely Andrew, brings his brother Simon to Christ also. 43. who giveth him the name of Peter, 44 Christ calleth Philip bringeth Nathaniel to Christ, 49 who acknowledgeth him to the Son of God, and is received for a Disciple.

1. In the beginning [Namely of the Creation of all things. see Genesis 1:1. and consequently from everlasting: seeing that before the Creation there was nothing but eternity, John 17. ver. 5. Ephes. 1.4.] was the word, [Gr. ho logos, i.e. the word; Or the substantial word and reason, as likewise the word reason signifieth both the inward reason or understanding of men, and the outward word, whereby the inward reason is declared unto others. Thus Christ the Son of God is called by John, not here only, but elsewhere also., 1 John 1:1. and chap 5.7. Revel.19.13. both because he is the wisdome of the father, and the express image of his person, Prov.8. ver. 1/, 12.24. Colossians 1:15. Heb.1.3. as also because by him the father hath revealed unto man kind his secret counsel concerning our salvation, as well in the old as in the new Testament, John.1.18. Heb.1.1.] and the word was with God, [namely the father, as a distinct person from the father, see v.18.] and the word was God. [that is, was partaker of the only and eternal divine essence with the father and the holy Ghost, John 10:30. 1 John 5:7.]

2. This was in the beginning with God.

3. All things were made by the same, [Gr. became, i.e. created] and without the same [for the father created the world with the Son, John 5:18,19.] nothing was made [Gr. no not one thing] that was made.

4. In the same [Namely word] was the life [that is, the Original and foundation of life, as Psa.36.10. Acts 17:28.] the life [that is, the word which is the author of life] was the light of men. [that is, the author and original of the light, namely of the reason and understanding, wherewith mankind was indued in the Creation]

5. And the light [That is, that same word which enlightens men] shineth [that is, enlighteneth the understanding of man, since the fall. See hereof more largely, Romans 1:19.20.] in the darkness, [that is, in the understanding of man, and darkned by the fall and sin, Acts 26:18.] and the darkness comprehended it not. [that is, corrupt men did not make use of that light which remained in them, rightly to know, to serve and to honour the Son of God the author of this light, Rom.1.21,22. 1 Cor.1.21.]

6. There was a man sent from God [Of this sending see Luke 3:3.] whose name was John [see of this name Luke 1. verse 13,63.]

7. He came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, [That is, of that eternal word whereby men are also enlightened to salvation] that they all through him [namely John, as 1 Cor 3.5.] should believe.

8. He was not the light but (was sent) that he might bear witness of the light.

9. (This) was the true light, which enlighteneth [Namely with reason and understanding] every man [Gr. all] coming into the world [namely by the natural birth, as John 18:37.]

10. He was in the world [Namely as a preserver and governor of all things] and the world was made [Gr. become] him, and the world [that is, the unregenerate men] knew him not. [by their natural wisdome; nor as was needful to salvation, 1 Cor. 1.21.]

11. He came unto his (own) [Or into his own, namely countrey or, people, i.e. to the people of Israel, out of which he took his humane nature, Romans 9:5. and which he had chosen for his propriety, and unto which he came in an especial manner, not only after his incarnation by the preaching of the gospel, but also before his incarnation by manifold apparations, revelations and and deliverance, Deu.7.6. Psalms 147:19,20] and his own [that is, the most part of the same Israelites, which belonged to the outward Covenant, and therefore are here called his own] received him not. [namely by true faith.]

12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power [Or right and worthiness] to become children of God; [Or that they are become children of God] (namely) they that believe in his name.

13. Which are born not of blood, [Gr. bloods, Heb. i.e. not after a natural and carnal manner, which natural birth and descent the Jews much boasted of and relayed on John 8:39. Romans 9:7,8.] not of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but God, [That is which by the spirit and word of God, are regenerated and renewed, John 1:5. 1 Pet 1.23]

14. And the word became [Namely, not by changing or mixture, but by assuming the humane nature in unity of person, Gen2.7. 1 Cor 15.45. as is expounded. Philippians 2:7. Hebrews 2:14,16] flesh, [that is, a true man, like unto us in all things, Heb.2.17. yet without sin, Hebrews 4:15. see Isaiah 40:5 Joel 2:28.] and dwelt among us; [Gr. had a Tabernacle, i.e. for time walked and conversed among us] (and we beheld his glory, [that is clear tokens of his divine Majesty, as well in his baptism and miracle, John 2:21. as in his transfiguration of the mount, and in his resurrection] a glory as of the only begotten of the father,) [that us such as belonged to; and became him, who was after an unspeakable manner begotten of the father from all eternity, Prov.8.24. Micah 5:2.] full of grace and truth, [see hereof verse 17.]

15. John here witness of him, and cryed saying: this was be of whom i said, he that cometh after me [Or behind me, see also the annot. on v. 27.] was before me; [or set before me, i.e. exalted above me] for he was so ner then [Gr. first, i.e more worthy then i: or before me, because by reason of his divine nature he is from everlasting]

16. And of his fulness have we all received, even grace for grace.[That is, one grace upon another in abundance, of the grace of the new Testament for the grace of the old Testament: or the grace of glorious for the grace of justification and regeneration.]

17. For the Law [Namely of manners, of the ten commandments, with th threatening of an eternal curse against the transgression, and also the Law of ceremonies] was given by Moses: [that is, by the ministry of Moses, He.3.2,5,16] the grace [namely of redemption from the curse of the Law, Romans 10:3,4. Galatians 3:13. and of adoption fro children, John 1:12. Rom.8.15] and the truth [that is, the fulfilling both of the promises, 2 Cor.1.20. and of the ceremonies and types, Col.2.17.] was by Jesus Christ. [namely as the Son and the Lord of the house, Heb.3.5,6.]

18. No man hath ever seen God: [That is, known, namely with a perfect and naked knowledge of his being and willing] the only begotten Son, who is the bosome of the Father;m[that is, who is one essence with the Father beloved of him, and to whom by reason thereof all the secret wisdome of the father is known] he hath declared [that is clearly and perfectly revealed the saving knowledge of God and his counsel, so much as is necessary for us to know of God to salvation] (him unto us) [or it unto us]

19. And this is [Or this also] the testimony of John: When Jews sent out (certain) Priests ans Levites from Jerusalem, that they should ask him: Who art thou.

20. And he confessed [Namely openly and boldly who he was, as the following words also declareth] and denyed not: and confessed i am not the Christ.

21. And they asked him, what then? Art thou Elias? And he said, i am not (he:) [Namely Elias the This bite which ye perversly think should in his person come again into the world, although in an other fence Jon is also called Elias, Mat.17.12. because he came in the power and spirit of Elias, Luke 1:17.] art thou the Prophet? [namely that special Prophet of whom is foretold, De.18.15. whom the Jews thought, but amiss, that he should be an other then the Messias] and he answered, No.

22. They said therefore unto him: who art thou? that we may give answer to them that sent: what saith thou of thy self?

23. He said, i am the voice of (one) crying in the wilderness, [see the exposition hereof Mat.3.3.] make the way of the Lord staright, as spake the Prophet Esaias.

24. And they that were sent out were of the Pharisees.

25. And they asked him and spake unto him: wherefore biptizest thou them, [That is, by what authority and command dost thou use this new manner of doing] if thou art not the Christ, nor Elias, neither the Prophet.

26. John answered them saying, i baptize with water, but he standeth in the midst among you, whom ye know not, [This John said, not presently after that Jesus was baptized by him, but after that was returned out of the wilderness, where he had been tempted forty daies, about the place where John baptized.

27. The same it is that commeth after me [Or behind me i.e. whose forerunner i am, to prepare the way for him see ver 15.] who before me, whose shoo – lachet i am not worthy that i should unloose. [that is, that i should do him even the meanest service. see Mat.3.11]

28. These things came to pass in Bethabara [That is, a house of shipping – over, or passage – house] beyond the Jordan, [or at, about by the Jordan. see Matth 4.15. and 19.1] where John was baptizing.

29. The next day [Namely, after that John had answered the Pharisees who he was] John saw [Gr. seeth] Jesus coming unto him, said, [Gr. saith] Behold the lamb [that is, the Messias, typified by the Paschal – lambe and daily sacrifies. 1. Cor.5.7. and promised Esa.53.7.] of God, [that is, ordained and appointed by God] that taken away [or taken upon him, namely to bear the punishment of the same, and to dealiver us from them Isaiah 53:11,12. 1 Pet 2.24] the sin of the world [that is of all those that shall believe in him throughout the whole world John 6 33,35. 2 Cor 5.19]

30. This is he of whom i said.[see the exposition ver.15.] After me cometh a man who was before me; for he was sooner then i [Gr. first: see ver 15]

31. And i knew him not: [Namely by face, or perfectly] but he should be revealed unto Israel, therefore i am come baptizing with water.

32. And John testified saying, i saw the spirit, [Namely, the holy Ghost, Matth.3.16.] descend from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

33. And i knew him not, [Namely before he came to me to be baptized. For when Christ came to him, God revealed unto him that this was the person, Matth 3.14. and afterwards by this sign he was more confirmed in this knowledge] but he that sent me to be baptize with water, [Gr. in also ver 31.] he had said unto me, on whom thou shalt see the spirit descend, and abide upon him, this is he that baptizeth with the holy Ghost. [see Matth. 3.11.]

34. And i have seen and have witnessed, that this is the Son of God.

35. The next day again [Namely being the second after that John had answered the Pharisees] John stood, and two of his Disciples.

36. And looking on Jesus walking (there,) he said Behold the lamb of God.

37. And Those two Disciples heard him speak (that;) [Namely so, that they also believed it] and they followed Jesus.

38. And Jesus turning him about and seeing them follow, said unto them:

39. What seek ye? And they said unto him Rabbi (which is to say being interpreted Master) [Or Teacher] where dwellest thou? [Gr. abidest i.e. where dost thou lodge or Inn? See ver. 40]

40. He said unto them, come and see. They came and saw where he dealt, and that they day with him. And it was about the tenth hour. [That is, towards Evening, about two hours before the going down of the sun. see John 11:9.]

41. Andrew the Brother of Simon Peter was one of the two, which had heard it of John, and followed him.

42. He found first his [Gr. his owne] brother Simon and said unto him, Wee have found the Messiah, which is being interpreted the Christ. [That is anointed; by which name the promised Saviour was called the Old Testament. Psalms 2:2. Daniel 11:9.25,26. because hhe was ordained by God for onely and supreme Prophet, King, and Priest; of whom the anointed Prophet, Kings, and Priests, in the old Testament, were types.]

43. And he led him to Jesus. And Jesus looking on him said, Thou art Simon the Son of Jona: Thou shalt be called be called Cephas [That which is here promised, was done Luke 6:14] which is interpreted Peter. [that is, stone or rock. see Matthew 16:10]

44. The day following [that is, the third day after the answer of John to the message of the Pharisees Jesus would goe away unto Galilee, and found Philip, and said unto him, Follow me.

45. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, [Of Bethsaida see Ma.11.21.] of the City of Andrew and Peter. [that is, out of the same City from whence Andrew and Peter were]

46. Philip found Nathaniel and said unto him, we have found (him) of whom Moses wrote in the Law, and the Prophet, (namely) Jesus the Son of Joseph, of Nazareth.

47. And Nathaniel said unto him, cab there be [i.e. proceed] any good out of Nazareth? [That is, out of such a despised place, & which was situate in Galilee. see John 7. ver.41, 42.] Philip said unto him, come and see.

48. Jesus saw Nathaniel come unto him, and said of him, Behold, truly and Israelite [That is, an upright and sincere man, like as the true Israelites ought to be] in whom is no deceit.

49. Nathaniel said unto him, whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig – tree i saw thee.

50. Nathaniel answered and said unto him, Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God, thou art the King of Israel.

51. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because i said unto thee i saw thee under the fig tree, thou believed; [Or believest thou because i said unto thee, i saw thee under the fig tree?] thou shalt see greater things then these.

52. And he said unto him, verily, verily i say unto you, from henceforth, ye shall see the heaven opened, and the Angels of God, ascending and descending upon the Son of man. [Namely to be at his service as their Lord: as was done at his birth, Luke 2:9,13. and the wilderness Mat.4.11. and afterwards in his suffering Luke 22:43. in his resurrection, Luke 24:4. and in his ascention into heaven, Acts 1. ver.10.