AN EXPOSITION OF JOHN 1:14-28
1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The “Word” was His______________title; “became flesh” speaks of His holy humanity. He was, and is the .
“The only Begotten” (monogenous) refers to God the Eternal Son taking on a body (by the Father’s plan His humanity was conceived of the Holy Spirit and birthed into the world through the Virgin Mary’s womb.) Thus, the only begotten ( ) from the Father.
1:15 John testifies concerning him, and he cried, saying: this was the One of whom I said: He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.
When the Baptist says Christ “existed before” him (imperfect tense – was çn continually, in past, before him), he is referring to His eternal existence, and therefore bears witness to His .
Jesus ranks far above the Baptist in and .
1:16, 17 For out of his fullness we have all received grace upon grace. For, while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came (were realized) through Jesus Christ.
The word “fullness” (plçrômatos) is still another term in this important passage which brings out the absolute of Christ. Colossians 1:19 and 2:9
The law was “ ” to Moses, for it was not his own; but “grace and truth” were “given” to Christ, for these were His own essential perfections.
1:18 No man has seen God at any time. The only begotten God, who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.
No man can see God absolutely, but to see God in the flesh is to see Him in .
Jesus explains God’s holy character and nature and gives us a relative knowledge of His work in creation and and what is necessary for our salvation so that we may glorify our Maker and Redeemer.
1:19–21 Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Christ.” They ask him, “then who are you? Are you Elijah?” Are you the prophet?
The Baptist boldly stood his ground, “He did not fail to confess and denied not (the message of ) but he did clearly deny that he was the .”
Now, although John went forth in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17), and was, therefore, called Elijah by Christ himself (Matt. 17:12), yet he was not Elijah, and it was the literal, personal forerunner Elijah whom the expected. Malachi 4:5
1:22-23 Finally they said, Who are you?, (tell us) in order that we may give an answer to those who sent us; what have you to say about yourself? John said, I am the voice of one shouting in the desert, Make the road straight for the Lord, as Isaiah the prophet said.
The Baptist’s quotation from Isaiah 40:3 serves a twofold purpose: it indicates he is, being a reply to the question that had been asked; and it also amounts to an earnest invitation to .
Genuine for sin and a prayer for mercy and pardon are required; both of which are the product of God’s grace.
1:24–28 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees (from the Sanhedrin). And they asked him, saying, Then why are you baptizing if you are neither the Christ nor Elijah nor the prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordon, where John was baptizing.
It was the rather than the which really annoyed these priests as they questioned the son of a priest.
Those who responded to John’s call to ,& in the Messiah Christ to take away their sin, were baptized of him, “confessing their sins,” and passing from death unto life.
