Daniel P. Barron

John 1

Tuesday, May 10, 2022 

John i

According to John ii

1 In the beginning was the word, iii and the word was with iv the God, v and God was the word. vi 2 He was in the beginning with God. vii 3 All things were made through him, viii and without him not even one was made that was made. ix 4 In him was life, x and the life was the light xi of men. 5 And the light shines xii in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend xiii it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, xiv that he might testify about the light, xv that all might believe xvi through him. 8 He was not that light, but was sent that he might testify about the light. xvii 9 It xviii was the true light that gives light to every man coming into the world. xix 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world did not know him. xx 11 He came to his own, xxi and his own did not receive him. 12 But as many as received him, to them he gave the right xxii to become xxiii children of God, to those who believe in his name. xxiv 13 Who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, xxv nor of the will xxvi of man, but of God. xxvii

14 And the word became flesh xxviii and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory, xxix the glory as of the only begotten xxx from the Father, full of grace xxxi and truth. xxxii 15 John testified about him and cried out saying, “This was whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is before me, because he was before me.’” xxxiii 16 And of his fulness we have all received, xxxiv and grace for grace. xxxv 17 For the law was given through Moses, the grace and the truth was through Joshua Christ. xxxvi 18 No one has ever seen God. xxxvii The only begotten son, xxxviii who is in the bosom xxxix of the Father, he explained xl him.

19 And this is the testimony of John when the Jews sent preists and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 And he confessed, and did not deny, and confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “Who then? Are you Elijah?” xli And he said, “I am not.” xlii “Are you the prophet?” xliii And he answered, “No.” 22 They said therefore to him, “Who are you, so that we might give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “‘I am a voice shouting in the wilderness make straight the way of the Lord’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” xliv 24 And those who were sent were from the Pharisees.

25 And they asked him and said to him, “Why then are you immersing if you are not the Christ nor Elijah nor the prophet?” 26 John answered them saying, “I immerse in water, but in the midst xlv of you stands one you do not know. 27 This is the one who comes after me, who has been xlvi before me, whom I am not worthy that I might loose the strap of his sandal.” 28 These things happened in Bethany xlvii on the other side of the Jordan, where John was immersing.

29 On the next day he saw Joshua coming to him and said, “Behold, the lamb of God who removes the sin of the world! xlviii 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who has been before me, for he was before xlix me.’ 31 And I did not know him, l but that he might be manifested to Israel, because of this I came immersing in water.” 32 And John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained upon him. 33 And I did not know him, but the one who sent me to immerse in water, he said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descend and remain upon him, this is the one who immerses in the Holy Spirit.’ li 34 And I have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” lii

35 Again, on the next day, John stood with two of his disciples, 36 and seeing Joshua walking around, he said, “Behold, the lamb of God!” liii 37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and followed Joshua. 38 But Joshua turning and seeing them following, said, “What do you seek?” And they said to him, “Rabbi (which is to say, when interpreted, “Teacher”), “Where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and stayed with him that day. It was about the tenth hour. liv

40 One of the two who heard John and followed him was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. 41 This one found first his own brother, Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, Christ). lv 42 And he brought him to Joshua. lvi When Joshua looked at him he said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. lvii You shall be called Cephas” lviii (which is translated Peter). lix

43 On the next day, Joshua wanted to go to Galilee, and he found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 And Philip was from Bethsaida, from the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael lx and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets wrote - Joshua from Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” And Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

47 Joshua saw Nathanael coming to him and said concerning him, “Behold, an Israeli lxi in whom there is no deceit.” lxii 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Joshua answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered and said to him, “Rabbi, you are the son of God! You are the king of Israel!”

50 Joshua answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ you believe? Greater things than these you shall see.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly truly lxiii I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven opened and the messengers of God ascending and descending upon the son of the man.” lxiv

Luke 24 - John 2

Translated by Darwin Fish. See original pdf. lxv

  1. This is the common English title for this book. ^
  2. ΚΑΤΑ ΙΩΑΝΝΗΝ KATA IWANNHN (kata iôannên) - “According to John” - This is the title given in the Greek text. ^
  3. The “word” (λογος, logos) in the book of John is identified as God (John 1:1), as coming in the flesh (i.e. Jesus, John 1:14), and used for the “word” (λογω, logô) which Jesus had spoken (John 2:22; 4:41, 50; 5:24), as the “saying” that is true (John 4:37), as the “word” the Samaritan woman spoke (λογον, logon, John 3:39), etc.. Moreover, λογος (logos) and ρημα (hrêma) are synonyms. They are clearly used synonymously in Luke 20:20 (λογου, NKJV “words” [Greek is singular]) and verse 26 (ρηματος, NKJV “words” [Greek is singular]); synonymously in John 10:19 (τους λογους, NKJV “these sayings”) and 10:21 (ταυτα τα ρηματα, NKJV “these . . . words”); synonymously in John 12:47 (ρηματων “words”) and 12:48 (ρηματα “words, and λογος “word”); synonymously in John 15:3 (λογον “word”) and 15:7 (ρηματα “words”); synonymously in John 17:6 (λογον, “word”), and 17:8 (ρηματα “words”); synonymously in Acts 2:14 (ρηματα “words”) and 2:22 (λογους “words”); synonymously in Acts 10:36 (λογον “word”) and 10:37 (ρημα); synonymously in Acts 10:44 (ρηματα “words;” λογον “word”); synonymously in Hebrews 12:19 (ρηματων “words;” λογον “word”); and synonymously in 1 Peter 1:23 (λογου “word” of God) and 1:25 (ρημα “word” of the Lord). In Luke 22:61 the critical text has ρηματος (hramatos) for the “word” of the Lord, but the Majority Text (M) and Received Text (TR) has λογου (logou).

    Also, ρημα is used for the “word(s) of God” in Matthew 4:4; Luke 3:2; 4:4 (M/TR); John 3:34 (verbal); 8:47 (verbal); Acts 11:16 (verbal); Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 6:5; 11:3 (verbal), like λογος is used for the “word(s) of God” in Luke 5:1 (verbal); 8:11 (verbal), 21 (verbal); 11:28 (verbal); Acts 4:31 (verbal); etc..

    Also, λογος is used for the written word of God in Mark 7:13; John 8:55 (at least includes the written word); 10:35; 17:17 (at least includes); Romans 9:6 (includes); 1 Timothy 4:4 (includes); Hebrews 4:12 (includes); Revelation 17:17 (includes). Also, in its translation of “the Ten Commandments” the LXX bears witness to both λογος and ρημα being synonymous terms and that they are terms used for both the spoken and written word of God. Exodus 34:28 and Deuteronomy 10:4 have “τους δεκα λογους” (tous deka logous), i.e. “the Ten Words” (or “Sayings”). Deuteronomy 4:13 has “τα δεκα ρηματα” (ta deka hrêmata) i.e. “the Ten Words” (or “Sayings”). This LXX rendering of the “Ten Commandments” fits well with the Hebrew word for the “Ten Commandments,” עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים (`aseret haddevâriym), “the ten words” (or “things”). The word of God (ο λογος του θεου) and the Scripture (η γραφη) are synonymous (John 10:35). John 1:1 reveals that Scripture (the word) was in the beginning. This is elsewhere supported by Psalm 40:7; 139:16 (“in your book”); Isaiah 46:9-10; Revelation 17:8. ^

  4. “The word was with God.” Since Joshua is the word (John 1:14; Revelation 19:13), and Joshua is the wisdom of God (Luke 11:49/Matthew 23:34-35; 1 Corinthians 1:24, 30; Colossians 2:3), Proverbs 8:22-31 well illustrates how “the word was with God” in the beginning (see also Proverbs 8:32-36). ^
  5. τον θεον (ton theon) - more literally “the God.” This first occurrence of God (θεον) in this verse has the definite article. The second does not (θεος, theos). JW’s add the indefinite article to the latter part of this verse, but there is no such thing as an indefinite article in the Greek. Nevertheless, the Word is “a God,” He is the God (e.g. see in the NWT Isaiah 43:11/Titus 2:13; Hosea 13:4/2 Peter 1:1; John 8:24, 58; 20:28-29; 1 John 5:20). ^
  6. “God was the word” - The word of God is God (Galatians 3:8; Hebrews 4:12-13). Even though this says “was” (past tense), God does not change (Psalm 102:26-27; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8), and so God is still the word. John 1:1 reveals the plurality of God. Since God is the word, God is revealed to be both with God and God Himself. Though He is one God (Isaiah 45:5, 14, 21-22; 46:9), He is plural in who He is (Genesis 1:26-27; 3:22; 11:7-8; Isaiah 48:16; Matthew 28:19; Revelation 1:4-5). “He is Holy Gods” as Joshua 24:19 says (אֱלֹהִים קְדֹשִׁים הוּא). ^
  7. He (the word, Joshua, Scripture) was in the beginning with God. This is illustrated also in Genesis 1:26-27; Isaiah 46:10; 48:3; Revelation 1:8; 3:14; 22:12-13. ^
  8. Genesis 1:1; Psalm 148:3; Isaiah 40:26; 42:5; 45:12, 18; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2; Revelation 4:11 ^
  9. Is there anything that was not made? God (Psalm 90:2; 93:2; Micah 5:2; Habakkuk 1:12; Hebrews 7:3). He created everything else (Colossians 1:16-17). ^
  10. John 5:26; 6:33/51; 14:6; Job 34:14/Hebrews 1:2; 11:3; Psalm 104; 119:50, 93; Proverbs 3:21-22; 4:13, 20-22; 8:34-35 ^
  11. The light of men? See John 1:9 (also Psalm 36:9; Romans 1:19-20; John 8:12). ^
  12. “light shines” is present tense - “comprehend” is past tense. The light is always shining (Psalm 19:1-4; Proverbs 1:20-23; 8:1-21; 9:1-6) in the darkness (Acts 26:18; Ephesians 5:8; 6:12; Colossians 1:13; 1 Peter 2:9), and when the light came in the flesh (John 1:14: 9:5; 12:46; 14:6) the darkness (Ephesians 5:8) did not comprehend it (e.g. John 8:43-44; 12:37-40 [see also Isaiah 44:14-20]; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:4). ^
  13. κατελαβεν (katelaben) - “comprehend” - used in this way in Ephesians 3:18 (καταλαβεσθαι, katalabesthai). It can also be translated “overcome” (NKJV footnote). This same word is used for the demon who “seizes” (Mark 9:18), the darkness that might “overtake” you (John 12:35); the rulers who “perceived” (Acts 4:13); Peter who “perceived” (Acts 10:34); Festus who “found” (Acts 25:25); Gentiles who “attained” (Romans 9:30; see also Philippians 3:12), a prize that one may “obtain” (1 Corinthians 9:24), and a Day that can “overtake” (1 Thessalonians 5:4). For “the darkness did not overcome it” see e.g. Matthew 22:15-22, 34-46; John 10:17-18/2:19-21; Revelation 1:18. ^
  14. Proverbs 14:5, 25 ^
  15. “testify about the light” - John 1:26-27, 29-36; Luke 3:16-17. ^
  16. “that all might believe” - like Romans 11:32. ^
  17. Although he was not the light, John was a light himself (John 5:33-35). ^
  18. ην (an) - “He was” - KJV “That was,” NKJV “That was,” NAS “There was.” This is the same word used in verse 10 for “He was” at the beginning of the verse. ^
  19. NIV is less literal with, “The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.” Also, see footnote for John 1:4. ^
  20. This is how insane (Ecclesiastes 9:3) the world is, and how far from the Truth. They do not even know who made them, nor the purpose for which they were made (Colossians 1:16; Psalm 92:5-7; Romans 9:21-23). ^
  21. The first “own” is in the neuter plural the second “own” is in the masculine plural. His “own” who did not receive Him = the Jews (see e.g. Matthew 15:24; John 5:16-18; 7:1, 20; 8:48, 52, 59). ^
  22. εζουσιαν (exousian) - “right” - translated this way also e.g. in Romans 9:21; 1 Corinthians 9:12; Revelation 22:14. This can also be translated “power” (e.g. Matthew 9:8; Luke 12:5; Revelation 9:10) and “authority” (e.g. Matthew 21:23 [2x]; 28:18).  ^
  23. Philippians 2:14-15 ^
  24. “his name” = who he is. See e.g. Genesis 21:33; Exodus 33:19; 34:5; Leviticus 24:10-16; Deuteronomy 32:3-4; Psalm 113:1-3; 116:4; 148:13; Proverbs 18:10; Isaiah 30:27. ^
  25. Jeremiah 13:23; Proverbs 17:11; John 3:20; Galatians 5:17</span> ^
  26. Romans 9:16 ^
  27. John 3:3; 1 John 3:9; 5:1/Hebrews 10:39 ^
  28. Zechariah 6:12-13; 13:7; John 3:13; 6:62; 1 Corinthians 15:47; Philippians 2:4-11; Revelation 13:8 ^
  29. Luke 9:32; 2 Peter 1:16-18; John 2:11; 11:4 (Psalm 24:10) ^
  30. μονογενους (monogenous) - "only begotten" - used of Christ and others (e.g. Luke 7:12; 8:42; 9:38; Hebrews 11:17). ^
  31. e.g. John 8:1-11 ^
  32. John 7:16-18 ^
  33. Micah 5:2 ^
  34. Colossians 2:9-10 ^
  35. χαριν αντι χαριτος (charin anti charitos) - “grace for grace” - exact meaning difficult to determine. KJV, NKJV “grace for grace,” NAS “grace upon grace” with footnote “Lit. grace for grace,” NIV “one blessing after another.” ^
  36. Romans 16:25-27 ^
  37. John 5:37; 1 John 3:6 (see also Exodus 33:11; 34:18-23) ^
  38. CT - θεος (theos) - “God” ^
  39. chest ^
  40. εζηγησατο (exêgêsato) - “explained” - found also in Luke 24:35; Acts 10:8; 15:12, 14; 21:19 (“told”). See Matthew 5:45-48; 6:1-8, 14-18, 26, 32; 7:11, 21; 10:20, 28; 11:25-27; 15:13; 16:17, 27; 18:10, 14, 19, 35; 20:23; 24:36; John 4:23-24; 5:17-23, 26, 36-38; 6:27, 44, 57; 8:16-18, 25-29; 10:15-18, 29-30, 36-38; 14:6-11, 21-24, 26-28; 15:8, 23; 16:15, 23, 25-28; 17:3. ^
  41. Malachi 4:5-6 ^
  42. This actually could have been answered either yes or no. John said, “No” which was true. He was not Elijah. Yet, Joshua said he was (Malachi 4:5; Matthew 11:14; 17:10-13/Mark 9:11-13 - “as it is written of him” - This is no record we have). ^
  43. Deuteronomy 18:18-19 ^
  44. Isaiah 40:3 ^
  45. Note verse 29. Joshua is there the next day. Joshua was actually standing in the midst of them. For similar wording (in the Greek as well), see John 20:19, 26; Acts 17:22; 27:21. Also, see 1 Samuel 10:23 and Zechariah 1:8, 10-11 for the same idea of standing in the midst. ^
  46. γεγονεν (gegoven) - “has been” - KJV, NKJV “is preferred,” NAS “has a higher rank” with footnote “Lit., has become before me,” NIV “has surpassed.” The Greek word here is not a specific term, context weighs heavily upon it, and it is common in the NT with various translations (e.g. “born” Romans 1:3; “was” Luke 4:42; “made” John 1:3; “come to pass” Luke 2:15; etc.). ^
  47. John 11:18 is another Bethany (βηθανια, Bêthania), because it is nowhere near the Jordan as this one is. The Received Text has “Bethabara” (βηθαβαρα, Bêthabara). ^
  48. See also 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; 2 Peter 2:1; John 4:42/1 John 4:14/1 Timothy 4:10; Romans 5:2. ^
  49. πρωτος (prôtos) - “before” or “first” - The idea with this word is that Christ came first, even though John was actually born approximately six months before Christ (Luke 1:24-26). See also Micah 5:2. ^
  50. Isaiah 53:2 ^
  51. This event must have taken place before Joshua's immersion, because John knew who Joshua was before he baptized him (see Matthew 3:13-17, note particularly verse 14). ^
  52. John openly testifies this. The demons do it and Joshua rebukes them (Mark 3:11-12; 5:7 [Luke 8:28]; Luke 4:41). Yet, Joshua Himself declared it (e.g. John 5:18-19; 9:35-39; Matthew 27:63-64). ^
  53. Revelation 5 ^
  54. This is about 10 AM. See John 19:14 and footnote. ^
  55. The Received Text adds the definite article, thus “the Christ” (KJV, NKJV). ^
  56. The Received Text (with a split Majority) has de (de), thus NKJV has “Now” (KJV “And”). ^
  57. ιωνα (iôna) - “Jonah” - CT has ιωαννου (iôannou) “John.” See also John 21:15-17 and footnotes. ^
  58. κηφας (kêphas) - “Cephas” - according to Bauer (p. 431) this is the Aramaic word for rock. It is found also in 1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:22; 9:5; 15:5; Galatians 1:18 (CT); 2:9, 11 (CT), and 14 (CT). ^
  59. petrov (petros) - “Peter” - NKJV, KJV “Stone” - apparently means “stone.” petra (petra) is the word used for rock in e.g. Matthew 7:24-25; 16:18; 27:51, 60, etc. ^
  60. Ναθαναηλ (nathanaêl) - “Nathanael” - He is only mentioned by this name in this chapter and in John 21:2. But, this same name is found in the OT as “Nethanel” (NKJV, NAS; KJV “Nethaneel”). See footnote for Numbers 1:8. ^
  61. Ἰσραηλίτης (Israêlitês) - “Israeli” - this is the same exact Greek word as is found in LXX Leviticus 24:10 (see footnote) for הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִי (hayyisreêliy) "the Israeli." This Greek word can also be found in LXX Numbers 25:8 (ἄνθρωπον τὸν Ισραηλίτην [anthrôpon ton Israêlitên] for אִישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵל ['iysh-yisrâ'êl] “man of Israel”); 2 Samuel 17:25; Acts 2:22 (plural Ἰσραηλῖται [Israêlitai] "Israelis" or "Israelites"); 3:12; 5:35; 13:16; 21:28; Romans 9:4; 11:1; 2 Corinthians 11:22. ^
  62. dolov (dolos) - “deceit” - KJV, NAS “guile,” NKJV “deceit,” NIV “false.” This word is also found in Matthew 26:4; Mark 7:22; Acts 13:10; Romans 1:29; 2 Corinthians 12:16 (NKJV “cunning”); 1 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Peter 2:1, 22; 3:10. Nathanael was a man who spoke the truth in his heart (Psalm 15:2) and to others (Ephesians 4:25). This is another example of a truly godly life. It can be lived, by the power of God (e.g. Job 1:1; 2:3; 29:7-17, 21-25; 31:1-40; Daniel 9:23; 10:11, 19; Ezekiel 14:14, 20). Even though no one living is righteous in the sight of God (Psalm 143:2; Ecclesiastes 7:20), there is a serious measure of righteousness that can be lived (Matthew 5:6; Romans 8:1; Galatians 5:16). ^
  63. αμην αμην (amên amên) - “truly truly” ^
  64. This is never recorded for us (see John 21:25). Context (verse 50) implies the event took place sometime during Nathanael’s time on earth with Christ. ^
  65. Mirrored here. ^

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