IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD
The book of John takes us back BEFORE Genesis 1 to the true beginning.
Let’s learn more about it:
Here is a Bible Study Based on the beginning revealed in John 1:1–16
John does not begin his account with Yeshua’s birth in Bethlehem. He takes us back before the creation of the world and reveals who Yeshua was, why He came, and what His coming makes possible for mankind.
John 1:1–16 presents Yeshua as:
- The Word who existed before creation
- The One through whom Yahweh created
- The source of life and light
- The true Light sent into a darkened world
- The One rejected by His own people
- The One through whom we may become Yahweh’s children
- The Word who became flesh and lived among us
- The revelation of Yahweh’s glory, grace, and truth
1. Yeshua Was “the Word”
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
— John 1:1
The Greek word translated Word is Logos. It refers to a word, message, expression, or declaration.
Yeshua is called the Word because He perfectly reveals and expresses the mind, character, purpose, and will of Yahweh.
A person’s words reveal what is within his mind. In the same way, Yeshua reveals the Father to mankind.
“He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.”
— John 14:9
Yeshua was not saying that He was His own Father. He was saying that His life and character perfectly revealed the Father.
“For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.”
— John 12:49
Yeshua spoke Yahweh’s words, performed Yahweh’s works, and revealed Yahweh’s character.
2. Yeshua Existed Before His Human Birth
“The same was in the beginning with God.”
— John 1:2
Yeshua’s existence did not begin when He was born to Miriam. Before becoming flesh, He existed with the Father.
Yeshua spoke plainly about this former existence:
“And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”
— John 17:5
He also said:
“Before Abraham was, I am.”
— John 8:58
John therefore reveals that Yeshua was more than an ordinary human teacher or prophet. He came from the Father and possessed glory with Him before the world existed.
3. All Things Were Made Through Him
“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
— John 1:3
Yahweh created all things through the One who became Yeshua.
Paul confirms this:
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible.”
— Colossians 1:16
Hebrews also says that Yahweh made the worlds through His Son:
“God… hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son… by whom also he made the worlds.”
— Hebrews 1:1–2
Yahweh is the great Source and Designer of creation. The Word was the One through whom Yahweh carried out His creative work.
The hands that later healed the sick, blessed children, and were pierced for mankind were the hands through which the physical creation had been formed.
4. In Yeshua Was Life
“In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
— John 1:4
Yeshua did not come merely to improve our present physical lives. He came so that mankind might ultimately receive eternal life.
“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
— John 10:10
“For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.”
— John 5:26
Eternal life originates with Yahweh and is given to mankind through His Son.
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
— 1 John 5:11
Apart from Yeshua, mankind remains subject to sin and death. Through Him, the way to resurrection and eternal life has been opened.
5. Yeshua Is the Light in a Darkened World
“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
— John 1:5
Darkness represents sin, deception, ignorance, and separation from Yahweh.
Yeshua came into a world that had lost its way. He brought the truth of Yahweh into that darkness.
“I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
— John 8:12
Notice that Yeshua did not merely tell us to admire the light. He said we must follow Him.
Following Yeshua means:
- Believing what He taught
- Walking as He walked
- Obeying Yahweh as He obeyed
- Rejecting the ways of darkness
- Living according to Yahweh’s truth
“He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”
— 1 John 2:6
Darkness cannot overcome the light. No matter how deceived this world becomes, Yahweh’s truth remains.
6. John Was Sent to Bear Witness
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.”
— John 1:6–7
John the Baptist was not the Light. He was a witness sent to prepare the people for Yeshua.
“He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.”
— John 1:8
John’s message was one of repentance:
“Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
— Matthew 3:2
This teaches an important principle: a true servant of Yahweh does not draw people to himself. He directs them to Yeshua and prepares them to obey Yahweh.
John understood his proper place:
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
— John 3:30
7. Yeshua Gives Light to Every Person
“That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”
— John 1:9
Yeshua is the true Light because He reveals the only path leading to Yahweh and eternal life.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
— John 14:6
This does not mean everyone presently understands or accepts that Light. It means Yeshua is the Light provided for all mankind.
Yahweh’s plan will ultimately give every person a genuine opportunity to know the truth.
“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
— 1 Timothy 2:4
There is not one Savior for one nation and another Savior for everyone else. Yeshua is the Light through whom Yahweh will offer salvation to mankind.
8. The Creator Was Not Recognized
“He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.”
— John 1:10
This is one of the most sobering statements in Scripture.
The One through whom the world had been made walked among human beings, yet they did not recognize Him.
They saw:
- A carpenter’s son
- A teacher from Galilee
- A man without political authority
- Someone rejected by the religious establishment
They did not recognize the One who had come from Yahweh.
People can possess religious knowledge and still fail to recognize Yahweh’s truth. The religious leaders studied the Scriptures, yet they rejected the One to whom those Scriptures pointed.
“Search the scriptures… they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”
— John 5:39–40
Knowing religious traditions is not the same as knowing Yeshua.
9. Yeshua Was Rejected by His Own
“He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”
— John 1:11
Yeshua came to His own people, but the majority rejected Him. Their traditions, expectations, pride, and religious leadership prevented them from recognizing their Messiah.
“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.”
— Isaiah 53:3
They wanted a Messiah who would immediately overthrow Roman rule. Yeshua first came as a servant, a teacher, and the Lamb who would give His life for mankind.
Yeshua is still rejected when people:
- Replace His teachings with human traditions
- Profess His name but refuse to obey Him
- Use religion for power and recognition
- Follow religious leaders instead of Scripture
- Claim to know Him while continuing in lawlessness
Yeshua warned:
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father.”
— Matthew 7:21
Merely using Yeshua’s name is not the same as receiving Him.
10. Those Who Receive Him May Become Yahweh’s Children
“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.”
— John 1:12
The word translated power carries the meaning of authority, right, or privilege.
Through Yeshua, we receive the opportunity to become Yahweh’s children.
This is Yahweh’s great purpose for mankind.
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.”
— 1 John 3:1
We are now begotten through Yahweh’s Spirit, but our full birth into His immortal family will occur at the resurrection.
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be… when he shall appear, we shall be like him.”
— 1 John 3:2
Yeshua is the firstborn among many brethren:
“That he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
— Romans 8:29
Yeshua did not come merely to save people from punishment. He came to make possible Yahweh’s purpose of bringing many children into glory.
“For it became him… in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”
— Hebrews 2:10
11. This Spiritual Begettal Comes From Yahweh
“Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
— John 1:13
Physical life comes through human parents. Spiritual life comes from Yahweh.
No one becomes Yahweh’s child merely because of:
- Family heritage
- Nationality
- Religious membership
- Human ceremony
- The decision of another person
Yahweh must call the individual, grant repentance, and place His Spirit within the person.
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.”
— John 6:44
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yeshua Messiah for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
— Acts 2:38
Receiving Yeshua is therefore more than an emotional profession. It begins a transformed life of faith, repentance, obedience, and submission to Yahweh.
12. The Word Became Flesh
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.”
— John 1:14
The One who had existed with Yahweh surrendered His former glory and became a human being.
“Who… made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”
— Philippians 2:6–7
Yeshua did not merely appear to be human. He became flesh. He experienced hunger, exhaustion, sorrow, temptation, suffering, and death.
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
— Hebrews 4:15
John says that He “dwelt among us.” The underlying expression means that He tabernacled among us.
Just as Yahweh’s presence once filled the Tabernacle, Yahweh revealed His presence and character through Yeshua.
Yeshua was called Immanuel, meaning “God with us”:
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child… and they shall call his name Emmanuel.”
— Matthew 1:23
Through Yeshua, Yahweh came near to mankind.
13. Yeshua Revealed the Father’s Glory
“And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father.”
— John 1:14
Yeshua revealed Yahweh’s glory through more than miracles. His entire life displayed the Father’s character.
He revealed:
- Yahweh’s mercy toward the repentant
- Yahweh’s hatred of hypocrisy
- Yahweh’s compassion for the suffering
- Yahweh’s patience with the weak
- Yahweh’s authority over sin and death
- Yahweh’s unwavering commitment to truth
- Yahweh’s willingness to sacrifice for His children
Yeshua is described as:
“The brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person.”
— Hebrews 1:3
If we want to understand Yahweh’s character, we must look at the life, words, obedience, and sacrifice of Yeshua.
14. Yeshua Was Full of Grace and Truth
“Full of grace and truth.”
— John 1:14
Yeshua did not offer grace without truth, nor truth without grace.
Truth reveals sin and shows us Yahweh’s righteous standard.
“Thy word is truth.”
— John 17:17
“Thy law is the truth.”
— Psalm 119:142
Grace provides forgiveness, mercy, help, and the opportunity to repent and begin walking in obedience.
Grace does not give us permission to continue in sin.
“Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.”
— Romans 6:1–2
Yeshua told the woman accused of adultery:
“Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
— John 8:11
That is grace and truth together:
- “Neither do I condemn thee” — grace.
- “Go, and sin no more” — truth and repentance.
True grace does not remove Yahweh’s standard. It forgives us for breaking that standard and helps us begin living according to it.
15. Yeshua Existed Before John
“John bare witness of him… He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.”
— John 1:15
John the Baptist was born physically before Yeshua. Yet John said Yeshua was before him.
This is another confirmation of Yeshua’s prehuman existence.
Although Yeshua’s public ministry began after John’s, Yeshua existed long before John was born. He was the Word who had been with Yahweh before creation.
John therefore recognized that Yeshua held a position far greater than his own.
16. From His Fullness We Receive
“And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.”
— John 1:16
Everything necessary for salvation is made available through Yeshua:
- Forgiveness
- Reconciliation with Yahweh
- Access to the Father
- Spiritual understanding
- Help in temptation
- The gift of the Holy Spirit
- Hope of resurrection
- Entrance into Yahweh’s Kingdom
- Eternal life in Yahweh’s family
“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him.”
— Colossians 2:9–10
We do not earn salvation through our own goodness. Neither do we receive grace so that we may live in disobedience. We are saved by grace and created to walk in the good works Yahweh has prepared for us.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith… For we are his workmanship, created in Messiah Yeshua unto good works.”
— Ephesians 2:8–10
What Does It Mean to Receive Yeshua?
Receiving Yeshua involves more than acknowledging that He existed. It means accepting who He is, believing His message, submitting to His authority, and following His example.
To receive Yeshua is to:
- Believe that He came from the Father.
- Believe the message He preached about Yahweh’s Kingdom.
- Repent of sin and lawlessness.
- Accept His sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin.
- Submit to Yahweh’s will.
- Walk as Yeshua walked.
- Remain faithful until the end.
“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.”
— John 8:31
Yeshua Reveals Yahweh’s Purpose for Mankind
John 1:1–16 is not only a revelation of who Yeshua is. It also reveals what Yahweh intends to accomplish through Him.
flowchart:
*”The Word existed with Yahweh"
*”All things were made through Him"
*”The Word became flesh"
*”Yeshua revealed grace and truth"
*”He gave His life for mankind"
*”Believers receive Yahweh's Spirit"
*”They become Yahweh's children"
*”They are born immortal at the resurrection"
The One through whom mankind was created became a man so that mankind could be reconciled to Yahweh and ultimately born into His family.
Yeshua came to reveal the Father, overcome sin, conquer death, and lead many children into glory.
Conclusion
John introduces Yeshua as the eternal Word who was with Yahweh before the world existed. All things were made through Him. In Him was life, and that life became the Light of mankind.
Yet when the Creator entered His creation, the world did not recognize Him. His own people rejected Him. But those who truly receive Him are given the opportunity to become Yahweh’s children.
The Word became flesh and lived among us. Through His life, Yeshua revealed Yahweh’s glory, character, mercy, truth, and purpose.
Yeshua is not merely someone to be admired or spoken about. He is the Light we must follow, the Truth we must believe, the Way we must walk, and the One through whom Yahweh is bringing many children into His eternal family.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.”
— John 1:12
