John 1:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:1-51

The phrase, "according to," has been thought by some to suggest a type of doctrine or teaching with which the document might be supposed to harmonize, and therefore to set aside the idea of personal authenticity by its very form. This interpretation, seeing it applies to Mark and Luke as well as to John and Matthew, would lose its meaning; for Mark and Luke, by numerous traditionary notices, have been continuously credited, not with having personally set any special type of doctrine before... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:2

The same Logos whom the writer has just affirmed to have been God himself, was , though it might seem at first reading to be incompatible with the first or third clause of the first verse, nevertheless in the beginning with God —"in the beginning," and therefore, as we have seen, eternally in relation with God. The previous statements are thus stringently enforced, and, notwithstanding their tendency to diverge, are once more bound into a new, unified, and emphatic utterance. Thus the ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 1:1

In the beginning - This expression is used also in Genesis 1:1. John evidently has allusion here to that place, and he means to apply to “the Word” an expression which is there applied “to God.” In both places it clearly means before creation, before the world was made, when as yet there was nothing. The meaning is: that the “Word” had an existence before the world was created. This is not spoken of the man Jesus, but of that which “became” a man, or was incarnate, John 1:14. The Hebrews, by... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 1:2

The same - The Word, or the λόγος Logos.Was in the beginning with God - This seems to be a repetition of what was said in the first verse; but it is stated over again to “guard the doctrine,” and to prevent the possibility of a mistake. John had said that he existed before the creation, and that he was “with God;” but he had not said in the first verse “that the union with God existed in the beginning.” He now expresses that idea, and assures us that that union was not one which was commenced... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 1:1-2

John 1:1-2. In the beginning Namely, of the creation, (for the evangelist evidently refers to the first word of the book of Genesis, בראשׁית , bereshith, rendered by the LXX. εν αρχη , the expression here used,) was the Word That is, The Word existed at the beginning of the creation, and consequently from eternity. He was when all things began to be; whatsoever had a beginning. And the Word was with God Namely, before any created being had existed. This is probably spoken in... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 1:1-18

JESUS BEGINS HIS MINISTRY14. The eternal Word (John 1:1-18)To Israelites of Old Testament times, God’s word was more than something merely written down or spoken out. It was something active, so that when God expressed his will, that will was carried out. God spoke, and it was done (Genesis 1:3; Psalms 33:9; Isaiah 55:10-11). By his active word, God created the universe (Genesis 1:6,Genesis 1:9,Genesis 1:14; Psalms 33:6). God’s word had such life and power that people thought of it almost as if... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 1:1

In the beginning. Greek. en ( App-104 .) arche. Occurs four times in the N.T. (Compare Genesis 1:1 ). The context will always supply the dependent word (where it is not expressed). Here, and in John 1:2 , supply "[of the aions = ages "]; for the Logos then "was", and the aims were prepared by Him (Hebrews 1:2 ; Hebrews 11:3 ). In Acts 11:15 supply "[of our ministry" (John 2:4 )]. In Philippians 4:15 supply "[the proclamation of] the Gospel". For the combination of arche, with other... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 1:2

The same = This [Word], or He. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 1:1

This chapter falls easily into five divisions: (1) the prologue, John 1:1-18; (2) the deputation from Jerusalem to John the Baptist, John 1:19-28; (3) the events of the next day after that deputation, John 1:29-34; (4) the events of the second day after the deputation, John 1:35-42; and (5) the events of the third day following the historic interview with John the Baptist, John 1:48-51. Thus, aside from the prologue, this chapter records the events of only four days of Jesus' ministry.... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 1:2

The same was in the beginning with God.The three propositions of John 1:1 are here reduced to a single declaration and re-affirmed. As Hovey said:This emphatic repetition of the first verse prepares the way for the statement that follows in verse third; and the practice of repeating an important truth for the sake of emphasis, or of preparing the mind for connected truth, is characteristic of this evangelist's style.[7] read more

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