John · King James Version (with Apocrypha)
John 1 King James Version (with Apocrypha)
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
3 All things were made through him. Without him, nothing was made that has been made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it.
6 ¶ There was a man sent from God, whose name [was] John.
6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all [men] through him might believe.
7 The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him.
8 He was not that Light, but [was sent] to bear witness of that Light.
8 He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light.
9 [That] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
9 The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
11 He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
12 But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
14 The Word became flesh and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the only born Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 ¶ John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
15 John testified about him. He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’”
16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
16 From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, [but] grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
17 For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
18◆ No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him.]
18 No one has seen God at any time. The only born Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, has declared him.
19 ¶ And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
19 This is John’s testimony, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
20 He declared, and didn’t deny, but he declared, “I am not the Christ.”
21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
21 They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.”
22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
22 They said therefore to him, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23 He said, I [am] the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”
24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
24 The ones who had been sent were from the Pharisees.
25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
25 They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?”
26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
26 John answered them, “I baptize in water, but among you stands one whom you don’t know.
27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
27 He is the one who comes after me, who is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to loosen.”
28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
28 These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
29 ¶ The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
29 The next day, he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who is preferred before me, for he was before me.’
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
31 I didn’t know him, but for this reason I came baptizing in water, that he would be revealed to Israel.”
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
32 John testified, saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending like a dove out of heaven, and it remained on him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
33 I didn’t recognize him, but he who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘On whomever you will see the Spirit descending and remaining on him is he who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
34 I have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
35 ¶ Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
35 Again, the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples,
36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”
37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
38 Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), “where are you staying?”
39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.
39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about the tenth hour.
40 One of the two which heard John [speak], and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
40 One of the two who heard John and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
41 He first found his own brother, Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah!” (which is, being interpreted, Christ).
42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is by interpretation, Peter).
43 ¶ The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
43 On the next day, he was determined to go out into Galilee, and he found Philip. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”
44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
45 Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets, wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
46 Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said about him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”
48 Nathanael 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.
48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!”
50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
50 Jesus answered him, “Because I told you, ‘I saw you underneath the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these!”
51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
51 He said to him, “Most certainly, I tell you all, hereafter you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Andrew
Simon Peter's brother, a disciple of John the Baptist who first followed Jesus and brought Peter to him, from Bethsaida, and one of the Twelve.
Cited in the guide: Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:18; John 1:40
Jesus
The Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary (Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:35): the promised Son of David and Son of Abraham, 'the Word became flesh.' Joseph,…
Cited in the guide: Matt. 1:1, 16-17; Luke 3:23-38; John 1:14; Rom. 1:3
Jonah
The father of Simon Peter, named Jonah in Matthew 16:17 and John in John 1:42 and 21:15.
Cited in the guide: Matthew 16:17; John 1:42; John 21:15
Nathanael
Brought to Jesus by Philip, called by Jesus a true Israelite in whom there is no deceit, who confessed Him Son of God and King of Israel, and later fished with the disciples; he…
Cited in the guide: John 1:45; John 1:47; John 1:49
Philip
Found by Jesus and told 'Follow Me', from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter, who brought Nathanael to Jesus and is listed among the Twelve.
Cited in the guide: Matthew 10:3; John 1:43; John 1:44
Places
Bethsaida
Bethsaida lay near the Jordan's inflow to the Sea of Galilee. Its precise site is debated (et-Tell and el-Araj are candidates; approximate location). Jesus rebuked it for unbelief.
Cited in the guide: Mark 8:22; John 1:44; Luke 9:10
Nazareth
A small agricultural village never named in the Old Testament. Jesus spent his childhood and early life here before beginning his public ministry.
Cited in the guide: Luke 2:39-40; Matthew 2:23; John 1:46
Cross references (50)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Genesis 1:1; John 17:5; Revelation 19:13; Colossians 1:17; John 1:14
- 3 Colossians 1:16–17; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11; Psalm 33:6; Genesis 1:26
- 4 John 8:12; John 12:46; John 5:26; 1 John 1:5–7; John 9:5
- 5 John 3:19–20; John 12:36–40; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Job 24:13–17; John 1:10
- 6 Malachi 3:1; John 3:28; Isaiah 40:3–5; John 1:33; Acts 13:24
- 7 Acts 19:4; John 5:33–35; John 1:12; John 1:32–34; John 1:36
- 8 John 1:20; John 3:28; Acts 19:4
- 9 John 12:46; John 1:4; 1 John 2:8; Isaiah 49:6; John 1:7
- 10 John 17:25; 1 John 3:1; 1 Corinthians 2:8; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Matthew 11:27
- 11 Luke 19:14; Isaiah 53:2–3; John 3:32; Acts 7:51–52; Luke 20:13–15
- 12 Galatians 3:26; Romans 8:14; 1 John 3:1; 2 Corinthians 6:17–18; Galatians 4:6
- 13 1 John 3:9; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 Peter 1:3; John 3:5–8
- 14 1 John 4:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; Galatians 4:4; John 1:1; Isaiah 40:5
- 15 Matthew 3:11; Colossians 1:17; John 1:29–34; John 3:26–36; John 1:1–2
- 16 Colossians 1:19; Romans 5:2; Ephesians 2:5–10; Ephesians 4:7–13; Colossians 2:9–10
- 17 Romans 6:14; John 14:6; Romans 3:19–26; Romans 5:20–21; John 1:14
- 18 Colossians 1:15; John 6:46; Matthew 11:27; Luke 10:22; 1 John 4:12
- 19 John 10:24; Luke 3:15–18; Acts 19:4; Acts 13:25; John 5:33–36
- 20 Matthew 3:11–12; Mark 1:7–8; Luke 3:15–17; John 3:28–36
- 21 Deuteronomy 18:15–18; Malachi 4:5; Matthew 11:14; John 1:25; Matthew 17:10–12
- 22 2 Samuel 24:13
- 23 Isaiah 40:3–5; Mark 1:3; Matthew 3:3; Luke 1:76–79; John 3:28
- 24 Matthew 23:13–15; Luke 11:39–44; Luke 11:53; John 3:1–2; Luke 7:30
- 25 Deuteronomy 18:18; Deuteronomy 18:15; John 1:20–22; Acts 5:28; Matthew 21:23
- 26 Acts 1:5; Luke 3:16; John 1:10–11; Mark 1:8; Matthew 3:11
- 27 Luke 3:16; Mark 1:7; Matthew 3:11; John 1:30; John 1:15
- 28 John 10:40; John 3:23; Judges 7:24; John 3:26
- 29 Isaiah 53:7; 1 John 2:2; 1 Peter 1:19; 1 John 3:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21
- 30 John 1:27; John 1:15; Luke 3:16
- 31 Malachi 3:1; Luke 1:17; John 1:33; John 1:7; Mark 1:3–5
- 32 Luke 3:22; Mark 1:10; Matthew 3:16; John 1:7; John 5:32
- 33 Acts 1:5; Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16; Titus 3:5–6; Acts 19:2–6
- 34 Psalm 2:7; John 1:49; Matthew 4:3; 1 John 5:20; Psalm 89:26–27
- 35 Malachi 3:16; John 3:25–26
- 36 John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:19–20; Isaiah 65:1–2; Hebrews 12:2; Isaiah 45:22
- 37 Romans 10:17; John 1:43; Revelation 22:17; Zechariah 8:21; John 4:39–42
- 38 John 18:7; John 3:2; John 1:49; Proverbs 8:34; John 18:4
- 39 Luke 24:29; Matthew 11:28–30; John 6:37; John 4:40; John 1:46
- 40 Mark 1:16–20; Matthew 4:18–22; John 1:40–42; Luke 5:2–11; Matthew 10:2
- 41 John 4:25; John 1:45; Acts 13:32–33; Isaiah 2:3–5; Psalm 89:20
- 42 1 Corinthians 3:22; John 21:15–17; 1 Corinthians 15:5; 1 Corinthians 1:12; Matthew 16:17–18
- 43 Matthew 9:9; Isaiah 65:1; John 14:8; Matthew 4:18–21; John 12:21
- 44 John 12:21; Matthew 11:21; Mark 6:45; Luke 10:13; Mark 8:22
- 45 Deuteronomy 18:18–22; Micah 5:2; Luke 24:27; Matthew 2:23; Luke 24:44
- 46 John 7:52; John 7:41–42; John 4:29; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Luke 12:57
- 47 Revelation 14:5; Psalm 32:2; Psalm 73:1; Romans 9:4; John 8:39
- 48 Isaiah 65:24; Matthew 6:6; Psalm 139:1–2; John 2:25; Revelation 2:18–19
- 49 Zephaniah 3:15; Matthew 27:42; Zechariah 9:9; Luke 19:38; Matthew 2:2
- 50 John 20:29; John 11:40; Luke 1:45; Matthew 25:29; Matthew 13:12
- 51 Genesis 28:12; Acts 7:56; Luke 22:43; Mark 1:10; Matthew 16:27–28
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
Why does my Bible say something different?
- John 1:18: “the only-begotten Son” or “the only-begotten God”?
The Patriarchal Text, the KJV and most manuscripts read “the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father.” The oldest papyri and great codices read “only-begotten God.” Both readings come from the early centuries, and both confess the same Christ. Neither reading favours a lower view of the Son.
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
The section of the Gospel which has been read, most dearly beloved brethren, looketh for the pure eye of the heart. For from John's Gospel we have understood our Lord Jesus Christ according to His Divinity for the creating of the whole creation, and according to His Humanity for the recovery of the creature fallen.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 6 (1888)
It is fitting, brethren, that as far as possible we should treat of the text of Holy Scripture, and especially of the Holy Gospel, without omitting any portion, that both we ourselves may derive nourishment according to our capacity, and may minister to you from that source from which we have been nourished.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 7 (1888)
Were John about to converse with us, and to say to us words of his own, we needs must describe his family, his country, and his education. But since it is not he, but God by him, that speaks to mankind, it seems to me superfluous and distracting to enquire into these matters.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 14 (1889)
And he expresses himself thus: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; the same was in the beginning with God." Having first of all distinguished these three--God, the Beginning, and the Word --he again unites them, that he may exhibit the production of each of them, that is, of the …
"For Thou wilt light my candle; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness; and "of His fulness have all we received," for "that was the true Light which lighted every man that cometh into the world;" for in Thee there is "no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)