John 1:14–18 is the climax of the prologue and one of the most theologically rich passages in the New Testament. Here, the eternal Word becomes flesh, marking the incarnation of God in the person of Jesus Christ. These verses transition from cosmic themes to historical reality: the Word enters time, dwells among us, reveals the Father, and brings grace upon grace. Every line is loaded with redemptive significance, and these verses are foundational to a Christ-centered understanding of the gospel, worship, and discipleship.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.”’) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.”
(John 1:14–18, ESV)
John 1:14 — “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Cross References:
- Exodus 25:8 – “Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.”
- Colossians 1:19 – “In him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.”
- Hebrews 1:3 – “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature…”
The phrase “became flesh” speaks of the Incarnation—not that the Word ceased being divine, but that He added to Himself true humanity. This is the eternal Word taking on human nature, entering into the limitations, sufferings, and experiences of human life.
The verb “dwelt” (literally, “tabernacled”) is a deliberate echo of the Old Testament. As God dwelled in the tabernacle among Israel (Exodus 40:34–35), now God dwells among us in Christ. He is the true temple, the place where God’s presence is fully manifest (John 2:19–21).
The glory seen in Christ is not the glory of Sinai that terrified the people (Exodus 19), but the glory of grace and truth. The phrase “grace and truth” recalls Exodus 34:6, where God reveals His name to Moses—“abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Jesus fulfills this revelation as the embodiment of God’s covenantal mercy and faithfulness.
John 1:15 — “(John bore witness about him, and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.”’)”
Cross References:
- Matthew 3:11 – “He who is coming after me is mightier than I…”
- Luke 1:76 – “You will go before the Lord to prepare his ways…”
- John 3:30 – “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
This parenthetical note reaffirms John the Baptist’s witness, which is essential to the structure of the Gospel. John testifies not only to Jesus’ arrival but to His eternal preexistence. Though Jesus began His public ministry after John, He “ranks before” because He existed before.
This statement guards the church from reducing Jesus to a mere successor or prophet. He is eternal, even if He appears later in history. John recognizes that his preparatory ministry finds its purpose in exalting the eternal Christ.
John 1:16 — “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
Cross References:
- Ephesians 1:23 – “the fullness of him who fills all in all.”
- Colossians 2:9 – “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.”
- Romans 5:17 – “…those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness…”
The phrase “from his fullness” speaks of Christ’s inexhaustible supply of divine life and blessing. What the Word has by nature, He gives to us by grace.
“Grace upon grace” (or literally, “grace in place of grace”) expresses the abundant, continual, and overflowing nature of God’s grace in Christ. It is not a contrast but a crescendo—one gift of grace replacing and surpassing another, a stream that never dries.
This language parallels the manna in the wilderness, which came fresh each day (Exodus 16). In Christ, God’s people receive not law-centered blessings but grace-centered, Spirit-empowered life.
John 1:17 — “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
Cross References:
- Romans 10:4 – “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness…”
- Hebrews 3:5–6 – “Moses was faithful… but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son.”
- 2 Corinthians 3:7–11 – “If what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.”
This verse draws a redemptive-historical contrast, not to diminish Moses, but to highlight fulfillment. The Law was a true gift, given by God, but it was preparatory and insufficient to save. It revealed sin but could not remove it (Romans 3:20).
Christ brings grace and truth, which are not merely abstract qualities but are incarnated in Him. In Him, the covenantal mercy and faithfulness of God are perfectly expressed. The Mosaic covenant anticipated a greater covenant; Jesus is its mediator.
This contrast is not law versus gospel in opposition, but law leading to gospel in fulfillment.
John 1:18 — “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.”
Cross References:
- Exodus 33:20 – “You cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.”
- John 14:9 – “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”
- Hebrews 1:1–3 – “…he has spoken to us by his Son… the exact imprint of his nature.”
“No one has ever seen God” reaffirms the transcendence and invisibility of God the Father. Yet in Christ, the invisible becomes visible. The phrase “the only God, who is at the Father’s side” is a reference to the Son’s unique divine status and intimate relationship with the Father.
The Son “has made Him known”—literally, “exegeted” or “interpreted” Him. Jesus is the perfect self-revelation of the Father, the one who reveals God’s heart, nature, and will. What Moses saw dimly, the apostles see clearly in Christ. This verse seals the prologue with a high Christology: to see Jesus is to see God.
Summary for Discipleship & Teaching
John 1:14–18 is a doctrinal treasure chest. It teaches the Incarnation, the revelation of God in Christ, the fullness of grace, and the end of the old covenant in the arrival of the new.
For discipleship:
- It invites reverent worship of Christ as God made flesh.
- It calls us to receive from His fullness daily—grace upon grace.
- It grounds our understanding of the Father in the person and work of Jesus.
This is theology in service of communion with God. Jesus is the true tabernacle, the greater Moses, and the full revelation of God’s glory. In Him, we meet the God who dwells among us and makes us His children.
Outline: John 1:14–18 (ESV)
The following information is intended for preparation.
Scripture (ESV):
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”)
16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
1. The Word Became Flesh (v. 14)
- “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” — Jesus took on human nature and lived among people.
- 📖 Cross Reference: Philippians 2:7 — “he emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant…”
- “We have seen his glory” — Eyewitness testimony of Jesus’ divine identity.
- “Glory as of the only Son from the Father” — Unique relationship and divine status.
- “Full of grace and truth” — Jesus perfectly reveals God’s kindness and faithfulness.
- Key Idea: Jesus is God in human form, revealing divine glory.
- Key Words:Word, flesh, glory, grace, truth
2. The Witness of John (v. 15)
- “John bore witness about him” — John the Baptist testified clearly about Jesus.
- 📖 Cross Reference: John 3:30 — “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
- “He who comes after me ranks before me” — Jesus existed before John, showing His eternal nature.
- Key Idea: John testified that Jesus is preeminent and eternal.
- Key Words:witness, ranks before me, was before me
3. Grace Through Jesus Christ (vv. 16–18)
- “From his fullness we have all received” — Jesus supplies abundant spiritual blessing.
- “Grace upon grace” — Ongoing, overflowing favor from God.
- “Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” — Contrast between the old covenant and the fullness revealed in Christ.
- 📖 Cross Reference: Romans 10:4 — “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness…”
- “No one has ever seen God… he has made him known” — Jesus uniquely reveals the unseen God.
- Key Idea: Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God’s grace and truth.
- Key Words:fullness, grace upon grace, grace and truth, made him known
Moe Bergeron 
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