Study Desk

In the beginning^(a) was the Word,^[a](b) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.^(c)

He was with God in the beginning.^(d)

All things were created^(e) through Him,^(f) and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created.

Life was in Him,^[b](g) and that life was the light^(h) of men.

That light shines⁽ⁱ⁾ in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome^[c] it.^(j)

There was a man named John^(k) who was sent from God.

He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him.^[d]

He was not the light, but he came to testify^(l) about the light.

The true light,^(m) who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.^[e](n)

He was in the world, and the world was created^(o) through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him.

He came to His own,^[f] and His own people^[g] did not receive Him.

But to all who did receive^(p) Him,^(q) He gave them the right^(r) to be^[h] children^(s) of God,^(t) to those who believe^(u) in His name,^(v)

who were born,^(w) not of blood,^[i] or of the will^(x) of the flesh,^(y) or of the will of man,^[j] but of God.^(z)

The Word^(aa) became flesh^[k](ab) and took up residence^[l] among us. We observed His glory,^(ac) the glory as the One and Only^(ad) Son^[m] from the Father, full of grace and truth.

(John testified concerning Him and exclaimed, "This was the One of whom I said, ‘The One coming after me^(ae) has surpassed me,^(af) because He existed before me.'")^(ag)

Indeed, we have all received grace^(ah) after grace from His fullness,

for the law was given through Moses,^(ai) grace and truth^(aj) came through Jesus Christ.

No one has ever seen God.^[n] The One and Only^(ak) Son^[o]— the One who is at the Father's^(al) side^[p]— He has revealed Him.^(am)

This is John's testimony when the Jews from Jerusalem^(an) sent priests^(ao) and Levites^(ap) to ask him, "Who are you?"

He did not refuse to answer, but he declared: "I am not the Messiah."^(aq)

"What then?" they asked him. "Are you Elijah?"^(ar) "I am not," he said. "Are you the Prophet?"^[q](as) "No," he answered.

"Who are you, then?" they asked. "We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What can you tell us about yourself?"

He said, "I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord ^(at)[r]—just as Isaiah^(au) the prophet said."

Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.^(av)

So they asked him, "Why then do you baptize if you aren't the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?"

"I baptize with^[s] water,"^(aw) John answered them. "Someone stands among you, but you don't know Him.

He is the One coming after me,^[t](ax) whose sandal strap I'm not worthy to untie."

All this happened in Bethany^[u] across the Jordan,^[v](ay) where John was baptizing.