1The divinity of Christ. 6The mission of John, and end of Christ's coming. 14The incarnation of the Word. 15Christ's superior dignity witnessed by John, and made evident by his gracious dispensation. 19John's record of himself to the messengers of the Jews: 29his public testimony to the person of Christ: 35two of his disciples hearing it follow Jesus: Simon is brought to Christ, and surnamed Cephas. 43Philip is called, who bringeth Nathanael to Jesus.
1IN thea1beginning was 2the Word, and the Word was 3withb God, and the Word 4was God.
*John was the son of Zebedee and Salome, Mat. 4:21; 10:2, and a brother of James, who was surnamed the great, Mark 3:17, was called by Christ from a fisherman to be His apostle, Mark 4:11; 10:2, and singularly beloved of Christ, John 13:23; 21:20, wherefore Christ took him also with Him, together with Peter and James, to behold some special miracles, His glory on the mount and His agony in the garden, see Mat. 17:1 and 26:37; Mark 1:29; Luke 8:51, and commended His mother unto him when He hung upon the cross, John 19:26, 27. See further concerning him, Mark 9:2; Luke 9:54; Acts 1:13; 3:1; 12:2; Gal. 2:9. The writers of ecclesiastical history testify that he lived the longest of all the apostles, becoming over ninety years old and died in the hundred and second year after the birth of Christ; that he was banished to the Isle of Patmos by Emperor Domitian, Rev. 1:9, and returned to Ephesus at the time of Emperor Nerva. See Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica, lib. 3, cap. 16; Hieronymus in Cat. Script. Eccl. He wrote this Gospel, the three Epistles and the Revelation.
a Prov. 8:22; 1 John 1:1.
1 Namely, of the creation of all things. See Gen. 1:1, and consequently from everlasting; seeing that before the creation there was nothing but eternity, John 17:5; Eph. 1:4.
2 Gr. ho logos, that is, the word, or the substantive word, and the reason, as the word reason signifies the internal reason or the understanding of men, as well as the external word, whereby the internal reason is declared unto others. As such Christ the Son of God is called by John, not only here, but elsewhere also, 1 John 1:1, 5:7; Rev. 19:13, because He is the Wisdom of the Father and the express Image of His Person, Prov. 8:1, 12, 24; Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3, as well as because the Father has revealed by Him unto mankind His secret counsel concerning our salvation, both in the Old as well as in the New Testament, John 1:18; Heb. 1:1.
3 Namely, the Father, as a distinct Person from the Father. See verse 18.
b 1 John 1:2.
4 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.
2Thec same was in the beginning with God.
c John 17:5.
3Alld things were 5made by him; and 6without him was 7not any thing made that was made.
d Gen. 1:3; Psalm 33:6; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2.
5 Gr. become, that is, created.
6 For, the Father created the world with and by His Son, John 5:18, 19.
7 Gr. no not one thing.
4Ine8him was 9life; andf10the life was 11the light of men.
e John 5:26; 1 John 5:11.
8 Namely, Word.
9 That is, the Origin and Fountain of life, as Psalm 36:9; Acts 17:28.
f John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46.
10 That is, the Word, Who is the Author of life.
11 That is, the Author and Origin of the light, namely, of the reason and understanding, wherewith mankind was endowed in the creation.
5Andg12the light 13shineth 14in darkness; and 15the darkness comprehended it not.
g John 3:19.
12 That is, that same Word, Which enlightens men.
13 That is, enlightens the understanding of man with some knowledge of God’s nature and worship, which has yet remained in man since the Fall. See hereof in detail, Rom. 1:19, 20.
14 That is, in the understanding of man, darkened by the Fall and sin, Acts 26:18.
15 That is, corrupt men did not make use of that light which remained in them, rightly to know, to serve and to honor the Son of God, the Author of this light, Rom. 1:21, 22; 1 Cor. 1:21.
6¶Thereh was a man sent 16from God, whose 17name was John.
h verse 33; Mal. 3:1; Mat. 3:1; Mark 1:2, 4; Luke 3:3; 7:27.
16 Of this sending see Luke 3:3.
17 See of this name Luke 1:13, 63.
7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of 18the Light, that all men 19through him might believe.
18 That is, of that eternal Word, Whereby men are also enlightened to salvation.
19 Namely, John, as 1 Cor. 3:5.
8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9Thati was the true Light, which 20lighteth 21every man that 22cometh into the world.
i John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46.
20 Namely, with reason and understanding.
21 Gr. all.
22 Namely, by the natural birth, as John 18:37.
10He was 23in the world, andj the world was 24made by him, and the 25world knew him not.
23 Namely, as a Preserver and Governor of all things.
j Heb. 1:2; 11:3.
24 Gr. become.
25 That is, the unregenerate men by their natural wisdom; nor was likewise needful unto salvation, 1 Cor. 1:21.
11He came unto 26his own, and 27his own 28received him not.
26 Or, into his own, namely country or people, that is, unto the people of Israel, out of which He took His human nature, Rom. 9:5, and which He had chosen for His property, and unto which He came in a special manner, not only after His incarnation by the preaching of the Gospel, but also before His incarnation by manifold appearances, revelations and deliverances, Deut. 7:6; Psalm 147:19, 20.
27 That is, the most part of the same Israelites, who belonged to the external covenant, and therefore are here called his own.
28 Namely, by a true faith.
12Butk as many as received him, to them gave he 29power to become the 30sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
k Isa. 56:5; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 3:26; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:1.
29 Or, right and worthiness.
30 Or, that they are become children of God.
13Which were born, not of 31blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but 32of God.
31 Gr. bloods, Hebraism. That is, after a natural and carnal manner, which natural birth and descent the Jews much boasted of and relied on, John 8:39; Rom. 9:7, 8.
32 That is, who are regenerated and renewed by the Spirit and Word of God, John 3:5; 1 Peter 1:23.
14Andl the Word was 33made 34flesh, and 35dwelt among us, (andm we beheld 36his glory, the glory 37as of the only begotten of the Father,) 38fulln of grace and truth.
l Isa. 7:14; Mat. 1:16; Luke 1:31; 2:7.
33 Namely, not by changing or mixture, but by accepting the human nature, in unity of Person, Gen. 2:7; 1 Cor. 15:45, as is expounded in Philip. 2:7; Heb. 2:14, 16.
34 That is, a true Man, like unto us in all things, Heb. 2:17. Yet without sin, Heb. 4:15. See Isa. 40:5; Joel 2:28.
35 Gr. had a tabernacle, that is, walked and conversed among us for a time.
m Mat. 17:2; 2 Peter 1:17.
36 That is, clear signs of His Divine majesty, as well in His baptism and miracles, John 2:11, as in His transfiguration on the mount and in His resurrection.
37 That is, 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.
38 See hereof verse 17.
n Col. 1:19; 2:9.
15¶Johno bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh 39after me is preferred 40before me: for he was 41before me.
o verses 26, 30; Mat. 3:11; Mark 1:7; Luke 3:16.
39 Or, behind me. See also the annotation on verse 27.
40 Or, set before me, that is, exalted above me. Other, has been before me.
41 Gr. first, that is, more worthy than I; or, before me, because by reason of His Divine nature He is from everlasting.
16And ofp his fulness have all we received, and 42grace for grace.
p Col. 2:10.
42 That is, one grace upon another in abundance; or, the grace of the New Testament for the grace of the Old Testament; or, the grace of glorification for the grace of justification and regeneration.
17Forq the 43law was given 44by Moses, but 45grace and 46truth came 47by Jesus Christ.
q Exod. 20:1, etc.
43 Namely, of manners, or of the Ten Commandments, with the threatening of the eternal curse against the transgressors, and also the law of ceremonies.
44 That is, by the ministry of Moses, Heb. 3:2, 5, 16.
45 Namely, of the redemption from the curse of the law, Rom. 10:3, 4; Gal. 3:13, and of the adoption unto children, Rom. 8:15.
46 That is, the fulfillment, both of the promises, 2 Cor. 1:20, and of the ceremonies and types, Col. 2:17.
47 Namely, as the Son and Lord of the house, Heb. 3:5, 6.
18Nor man hath 48seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, whichs is 49in the bosom of the Father, he hath 50declared 51him.
r Exod. 33:20; Deut. 4:12; John 6:46; 1 Tim. 6:16; 1 John 4:12.
48 That is, known, namely, with a perfect and basic knowledge of His Essence and will.
s Mat. 11:27.
49 That is, Who is of one Essence with the Father, beloved of Him, and to Whom by reason thereof all the secret wisdom of the Father is known.
50 That is, the saving knowledge of God and His counsel clearly and perfectly revealed, so much as is necessary for us to know of God unto salvation.
51 Or, it.
19¶And 52this is thet record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
52 Or, This is also.
t John 5:33.
20And heu53confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
u John 3:28; Acts 13:25.
53 Namely, openly and boldly who he was, as the following words also declares.
21And they asked him, What then? Art thouv Elias? And he saith, 54I am not. Art thou 55that prophet? And he answered, No.
v Deut. 18:18.
54 Namely, Elias, the Tishbite, whom ye wrongly think would come again in his own person into the world, though in another sense John is also called Elias, Mat. 17:12, because he came in the spirit and power of Elias, Luke 1:17.
55 Namely, that special Prophet of Whom is foretold, Deut. 18:15, Whom the Jews thought, but amiss, that He would be another than the Messiah.
22Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
23He said, 56Iwam the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
56 See the exposition hereof at Mat. 3 on verse 3.
w Isa. 40:3; Mat. 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4.
24And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
25And they asked him, and said unto him, 57Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither thatx prophet?
57 That is, by what authority and command do you use this new manner of doing?
x Deut. 18:18.
26John answered them, saying, Iy baptize with water: but there 58standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
y Mat. 3:11; Mark 1:7; Luke 3:16; Acts 1:5; 11:16; 19:4.
58 This John said not immediately after that Christ was baptized of him, but after that He was returned out of the wilderness, where He had been tempted forty days, about the place where John baptized.
27He it is, who coming 59after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchetz60I am not worthy to unloose.
59 Or, behind me, that is, Whose forerunner I am to prepare the way for Him. See verse 15.
z strap, lace*
60 That is, that I would do Him even the smallest service. See Mat. 3:11.
28These things were done in 61Bethabara 62beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
61 That is, a house of transport, or a ferry-house.
62 Or, at, about, by the Jordan. See Mat. 4:15, 19:1.
29¶The 63next day John 64seeth Jesus coming unto him, and 65saith, Beholdaa66the Lamb 67of God, which 68taketh away the sin 69of the world.
63 Namely, after that John had answered the Pharisees who he was.
64 Or, saw. Gr. seeth.
65 Or, said. Gr. saith.
aa verse 36; Isa. 53:5, 7.
66 That is, the Messiah, typified by the paschal lamb and the daily sacrifices, 1 Cor. 5:7, and promised, Isa. 53:7.
67 That is, ordained and appointed by God.
68 Or, taketh upon him, namely, to bear the punishment of the same, and to deliver us from them, Isa. 53:11, 12; 1 Peter 2:24.
69 That is, of all those who shall believe in Him throughout the whole world, John 6:33, 35; 2 Cor. 5:19.
30This is he of whom I 70said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was 71before me.
70 See the exposition on verse 15.
71 Gr. first. See verse 15.
31And I 72knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
72 Namely, by face, or, perfectly.
32Andab John bare record, saying, I saw the 73Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
ab Mat. 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:21.
73 Namely, the Holy Ghost, Mat. 3:16.
33And I 74knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize 75with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is heac which 76baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
74 Namely, before He came to me to be baptized. For, when Christ came to him, God revealed unto him that this was the Person, Mat. 3:14, and afterward he was more confirmed in this knowledge by this sign.
75 Gr. in, as also verse 31.
ac Mat. 3:11.
76 See Mat. 3:11.
34And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
35¶Again the 77next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
77 Namely, being the second after that John had answered the Pharisees.
36And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Beholdad the Lamb of God!
ad Verse 29; Exod. 12:3; Isa. 53:7; Acts 8:32.
37And the two disciples 78heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
78 Namely, as such that they also believed it.
38Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, 79Master,) where 80dwellest thou?
79 Or, Teacher.
80 Gr. abidest, that is, where dost Thou stay or lodge? See verse 40.
39He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was 81about the tenth hour.
81 That is, towards evening, about two hours before the going down of the sun. See John 11:9.
40One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
41He first findeth 82his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias,ae which is, being interpreted, the 83Christ.
82 Or, his brother.
ae Hebr. the Anointed One
83 That is, Anointed; by which name the promised Savior was called in the Old Testament, Psalm 2:2; Dan. 9:25, 26, because He was ordained by God for our only and supreme Prophet, King and Priest, of Whom the anointed prophets, kings and priests in the Old Testament were types.
42And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: 84thou shalt be calledaf Cephas, which is by interpretation, 85A stone.
84 That which is here promised, was done in Luke 6:14.
af Mat. 16:18.
85 That is, Peter, or rock. See Mat. 16:18.
43¶The 86day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
86 That is, the third day after the answer of John to the delegation of the Pharisees.
44Nowag Philip was of 87Bethsaida, the city of 88Andrew and Peter.
ag John 12:21.
87 Of Bethsaida, see Mat. 11:21.
88 That is, out of the same city, from where were Andrew and Peter.
45Philip findeth Nathanael,ah and saith unto him, We have found him, ofai whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
ah John 21:2.
ai Gen. 3:15; 22:18; 26:4; 49:10; Deut. 18:18; 2 Sam. 7:12; Isa. 4:2; 7:14; 9:6; 40:10, 11; 53:1, etc.; Jer. 23:5; 33:14; Ezek. 34:23; Dan. 9:24; Zech. 6:12; 9:9.
46And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing 89come 90out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
89 That is, proceed.
90 That is, out of such a despised place and which was situated in Galilee. See John 7:41, 42.
47Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold 91an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
91 That is, an upright and sincere man, as the true Israelite ought to be.
48Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
49Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
50Jesus answered and said unto him, 92Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
92 Or, Believest thou because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree?
51And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafteraj ye shall see heaven open, and 93the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
aj Gen. 28:12.
93 Namely, to be at His service as their Lord, as was done at His birth, Luke 2:9, 13, and in the wilderness, Mat. 4:11, and afterwards in His suffering, Luke 22:43, in His resurrection, Luke 24:4, and in His ascension into heaven, Acts 1:10.