John 1:1–5 stands as one of the most profound openings in all of Scripture. These verses form the prologue of the Gospel of John and set the theological foundation for understanding the person of Jesus Christ—eternally divine, the agent of creation, and the source of light and life. This passage reaches back to Genesis and brings forward the full revelation of God in Christ. Every word is rich with meaning, revealing the identity of Jesus as the eternal Word (Logos), not merely as a teacher or prophet, but as God Himself.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
(John 1:1–5, ESV)
John 1:1 — “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Cross References:
- Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
- Hebrews 1:2 – “…through whom also he created the world.”
- Revelation 19:13 – “He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.”
This verse deliberately echoes Genesis 1, placing Jesus at the dawn of all things—not as a created being, but as co-eternal with the Father. “The Word” (Logos) is not a concept but a person, distinct from yet fully one with God. In Hebrew thought, the Word of God was His powerful self-expression in creation, revelation, and salvation. In Greek philosophy, the Logos represented divine reason or order. John elevates both traditions by declaring that this Logos is personal and divine—Jesus Christ.
This is not mere poetry. It is a declaration of eternal pre-existence, co-existence, and divine essence. “Was” implies continuous existence. The phrase “was with God” suggests both intimate fellowship and distinction, while “was God” declares full deity without qualification.
The type and shadow from Genesis becomes fulfilled in Jesus. Where God created by speaking (“And God said…”), John now tells us that the divine Word is a person through whom all was made.
John 1:2 — “He was in the beginning with God.”
Cross References:
- Proverbs 8:27–30 – “When he established the heavens, I was there…”
- Colossians 1:17 – “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
The repetition emphasizes Jesus’ eternal presence with God before time began. The divine Word is not an impersonal force or emanation but a personal being who was eternally in fellowship with God the Father. The distinction and unity are preserved.
John 1:3 — “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
Cross References:
- Psalm 33:6 – “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made…”
- 1 Corinthians 8:6 – “…through whom are all things and through whom we exist.”
- Colossians 1:16 – “For by him all things were created…”
Creation is not merely attributed to the Father, but mediated through the Son. This affirms Christ’s role not only in redemption but in creation itself. The clause “without him was not any thing made” underscores His exclusive agency—nothing in the created order exists apart from His work. There is no middle ground. He is not a creature; He is the Creator.
Theologically, this positions Jesus as the second Adam and greater than Moses or the prophets. All things originate and are sustained through Him. This speaks to both cosmic and redemptive authority.
John 1:4 — “In him was life, and the life was the light of men.”
Cross References:
- Genesis 2:7 – “…breathed into his nostrils the breath of life…”
- John 5:26 – “For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.”
- John 8:12 – “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness…”
Christ is the source of life—both physical and spiritual. The life He possesses is not derivative but self-existent, a divine attribute. This life becomes the “light of men,” a metaphor indicating truth, holiness, and revelation.
From a redemptive-historical perspective, Jesus fulfills what Adam failed to do. Adam brought death; Christ brings life. The tabernacle and temple were symbols of God’s presence and light—now fully realized in Christ who tabernacles among us (v.14).
John 1:5 — “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Cross References:
- Isaiah 9:2 – “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light…”
- 2 Corinthians 4:6 – “For God…has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
- John 3:19 – “…light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light…”
The present tense “shines” denotes continual action—the light of Christ is actively confronting the darkness of a fallen world. “Darkness” often symbolizes ignorance, sin, and spiritual blindness. The phrase “has not overcome it” can also mean “has not understood it,” reflecting the dual idea of opposition and incomprehension.
The triumph of the light over darkness is eschatological and redemptive. Though the darkness fights against the light (seen in the rejection of Jesus), it cannot extinguish it. Christ is both the light and the victor.
Summary for Discipleship & Teaching
This passage roots our understanding of Christ not in Bethlehem, but in eternity. He is the eternal Creator, the source of life, the giver of light. His coming into the world is not plan B—it is the climactic fulfillment of all God’s promises. For discipleship, this calls for worship, reverence, and trust. If Christ is the Word, then we must listen. If He is life and light, then we must follow. If He is Creator, then all things—including our salvation—are from Him and for Him.
These verses set the stage for the Gospel narrative: the eternal Word enters into history, shining into the darkness to bring life and light to the world.
Handout for the student: John 1:1–5 (ESV)
Read all of John’s Gospel at least 1 time.
Read all of chapters 1-3 two or more times.
The following information is intended for preparation.
Scripture (ESV):
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
1. The Eternal Word (vv. 1–2)
- “In the beginning was the Word” — The Word (Jesus) existed before creation began.
- 📖 Cross Reference: Genesis 1:1 — “In the beginning, God created…”
- “The Word was with God” — Shows distinction and relationship within the Godhead.
- “The Word was God” — Affirms the full deity of the Word.
- Key Idea: Jesus is eternal and divine.
- Key Words:beginning, Word, God
2. The Word as Creator (v. 3)
- “All things were made through him” — Jesus is the agent of all creation.
- 📖 Cross Reference: Colossians 1:16 — “by him all things were created…”
- “Without him was not any thing made that was made” — Nothing exists apart from His creative work.
- Key Idea: Christ is the source of all creation.
- Key Words:all things, made through him
3. Life and Light in the Word (vv. 4–5)
- “In him was life” — Jesus is the source of spiritual and eternal life.
- 📖 Cross Reference: John 11:25 — “I am the resurrection and the life”
- “The life was the light of men” — His life brings understanding and truth to humanity.
- “The light shines in the darkness” — His light actively works against spiritual darkness.
- “The darkness has not overcome it” — Evil cannot defeat His light.
- Key Idea: Jesus brings life that defeats darkness.
- Key Words:life, light, darkness, overcome
Moe Bergeron 
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