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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Joh_1:1-5
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
Joh_1:1 "In the beginning" This reflects Gen_1:1 and is also used in 1Jn_1:1 as a reference to the incarnation. It is possible that 1 John was a cover letter to the Gospel. Both deal with Gnosticism. Joh_1:1-5 are an affirmation of Jesus Christ's divine pre-existence before creation (cf. Joh_1:15; Joh_8:56-59; Joh_16:28; Joh_17:5; 2Co_8:9; Php_2:6-7; Col_1:17; Heb_1:3; Heb_10:5-9).
The NT is described as
1. a new creation, not marred by the Fall (i.e., Gen_3:15 fulfilled for mankind)
2. a new conquest (Promised Land)
3. a new exodus (fulfilled prophecy)
4. a new Moses (law giver)
5. a new Joshua (cf. Heb_4:8)
6. a new water miracle (cf. Hebrews 3-4)
7. new manna (cf. John 6)
and so many more, especially in Hebrews.
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▣ "was" (thrice) This is an imperfect tense (cf. Joh_1:1-2; Joh_1:4; Joh_1:10) which focuses on continual existence in past time. This tense is used to show the Logos' pre-existence (cf. Joh_8:57-58; Joh_17:5; Joh_17:24; 2Co_8:9; Col_1:17; Heb_10:5-7). It is contrasted with the aorist tensesof Joh_1:3; Joh_1:6; Joh_1:14.
▣ "the Word" The Greek term logos referred to a message, not just a single word. In this context it is a title which the Greeks used to describe "world reason" and the Hebrews as analogus with "Wisdom." John chose this term to assert that God's Word is both a person and a message. See Contextual Insights, C.
▣ "with God" "With" could be paraphrased "face to face." It depicts intimate fellowship. It also points toward the concept of one divine essence and three personal eternal manifestations (see Special Topic: The Trinity at Joh_14:26). The NT asserts the paradox that Jesus is separate from the Father, but also that He is one with the Father.
▣ "the Word was God" This verb is imperfect tense as in Joh_1:1 a. There is no article (which identifies the subject, see F. F. Bruce, Answers to Questions, p. 66) with Theos, but Theos is placed first in the Greek phrase for emphasis. This verse and Joh_1:18 are strong statements of the full deity of the pre-existent Logos (cf. Joh_5:18; Joh_8:58; Joh_10:30; Joh_14:9; Joh_17:11; Joh_20:28; Rom_9:5; Heb_1:8; 2Pe_1:1). Jesus is fully divine as well as fully human (cf. 1Jn_4:1-3). He is not the same as God the Father, but He is the very same divine essence as the Father.
The NT asserts the full deity of Jesus of Nazareth, but protects the distinct personhood of the Father. The one divine essence is emphasized in Joh_1:1; Joh_5:18; Joh_10:30; Joh_10:34-38; Joh_14:9-10; and Joh_20:28, while their distinctives are emphasized in Joh_1:2; Joh_1:14; Joh_1:18; Joh_5:19-23; Joh_8:28; Joh_10:25; Joh_10:29; Joh_14:11-13; Joh_14:16.
Joh_1:2 This is parallel to Joh_1:1 and emphasizes again the shocking truth in light of monotheism that Jesus, who was born around 6-5 b.c., has always been with the Father and, therefore, is Deity.
Joh_1:3 "All things came into being through Him" The Logos was the Father's agent of creation of both the visible and the invisible (cf. Joh_1:10; 1Co_8:6; Col_1:16; Heb_1:2). This is similar to the role wisdom plays in Psa_104:24 and Pro_3:19; Pro_8:12-23 (in Hebrews "wisdom" is a feminine gender noun).
▣ "apart from Him nothing came into being" This is a refutation of the Gnostic false teaching of angelic aeons between the high, good god and a lesser spiritual being that formed, pre-existent matter (see Contextual Insights, D).
Joh_1:4 "in Him was life" This phrase is emphasizing that "life" itself comes from the Son, the Word. John uses the term, zoē, to refer to resurrection life, eternal life, God's life (cf. Joh_1:4; Joh_3:15; Joh_3:36; Joh_4:14; Joh_4:36; Joh_5:24; Joh_5:26; Joh_5:29; Joh_5:39-40; Joh_6:27; Joh_6:33; Joh_6:35; Joh_6:40; Joh_6:47-48; Joh_6:51; Joh_6:53-54; Joh_6:63; Joh_6:65, etc). The other Greek term for "life," bios, was used for earthly, biological life (cf. 1Jn_2:16).
▣ "the life was the Light of men" Light is a common metaphor John uses for the truth and knowledge of God (cf. Joh_3:19; Joh_8:12; Joh_9:5; Joh_12:46). Notice the life was for all humans (possible allusion to Psa_36:5-9)! Light and darkness were also common themes in the Dead Sea Scrolls. John often expresses himself in dualistic (contrasting) terms and categories.
Joh_1:5 "the Light shines" This is present tense, which means continuous action. Jesus has always existed, but now He is clearly manifested to the world (cf. Joh_8:12; Joh_9:5; Joh_12:46). In the OT the physical or human manifestation of God was often identified with the angel of the Lord (cf. Gen_16:7-13; Gen_22:11-15; Gen_31:11; Gen_31:13; Gen_48:15-16; Exo_3:2; Exo_3:4; Exo_13:21; Exo_14:19; Jdg_2:1; Jdg_6:22-23; Jdg_13:3-22; Zec_3:1-2). Some assert that this was the pre-incarnate Logos.
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NASB, NKJV "the darkness did not comprehend it"
NRSV "the darkness did not overcome it"
TEV "the darkness has never put it out"
NJB "and darkness could not overpower it"
The root meaning of this term (katalambanÃ…Â) is "to grasp." Therefore, it can mean either (1) to grasp so as to overpower (cf. Mat_16:18) or (2) to grasp so as to comprehend or understand. John may have used this ambiguity to suggest both. John's Gospel is characterized by double entendres (e.g., "born again and/or "born from above," Joh_3:3 and "wind" and/or "spirit," Joh_3:8).
The verb (katalambanÃ…Â) occurs only twice in John's writings (the occurrence in Joh_8:3-4 is not original). In Joh_1:5 darkness cannot understand/overcome and Joh_12:35 darkness that rejects the light (Jesus/gospel) will be overtaken. Rejection results in confusion; reception results in worship!
Manfred T. Brauch, Abusing Scripture, p. 35, characterizes the human condition.
1. lostness, Luke 15
2. darkness, Joh_1:5
3. enmity, Rom_5:10
4. separation, Eph_2:15-17
5. ungodliness, Rom_1:18
6. alienation from the life of God, Eph_4:17-18
7. the best summary of human sin is found in Rom_1:18 to Rom_3:23