The Prologue of John is one of the most striking passages in the New Testament. It appears in John 1:1–18 and presents Christ as eternal, divine, and incarnate. Unlike the other Gospels, which begin with genealogies or historical events, John opens his work with a deep, theological reflection on who Jesus is.
Quick Summary
- The Prologue of John shows that Jesus is the eternal Word, who was with God from the beginning.
- He is the true Light, able to enlighten all humanity.
- John the Baptist appears as a witness to that light, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
- The text culminates in the Incarnation: “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
- The central message is that Jesus reveals God’s grace and truth to the world.
This summary highlights the essence of the Prologue of John and serves as a guide to understand the topics we will explore next.
What is the Prologue of John
We call the Prologue of John the first eighteen verses of the Gospel of John. They function as an introduction that summarizes the heart of the message: Christ is eternal, He is the living Word of God, and He came into the world to reveal the truth.
Unlike a historical narrative, the prologue has the form of a poetic hymn. Its language is symbolic, rich in contrasts between light and darkness, grace and law, life and death.
Literary Structure
We can divide the Prologue of John into three parts:
- The eternity of the Word (1:1–5).
- The testimony of John the Baptist (1:6–13).
- The Incarnation and the revelation of grace (1:14–18).
¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
² He was in the beginning with God.
³ All things were made through him, and without him nothing was made that has been made.
⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
⁵ And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
⁷ He came as a witness, to bear witness of the light, so that all might believe through him.
⁸ He was not the light, but came to bear witness of the light.
⁹ The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
¹¹ He came to his own, and his own did not receive him.
¹² But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children 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 became 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.
¹⁵ John bore witness about him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”
¹⁶ And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
¹⁸ No one has ever seen God; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.
This structure shows a movement: from eternity into history, from creation to salvation.
The Historical Context of the Prologue of John
The Gospel of John was probably written between A.D. 90 and 100. In that period, the Church already faced debates about the nature of Christ. The Prologue of John responds to those challenges by stating from the outset that Jesus is not merely a man, but the very divine Word.
This choice to begin with the Logos reaches both Jews, who saw the Word as God’s creative power, and Greeks, who understood the Logos as the rational principle of the universe. Thus, the prologue connects different cultures in the same revelation.
The Eternal Word in the Prologue of John
The text begins: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This declaration sums up the eternity and divinity of Christ.
The Meaning of Logos
- For the Greeks: Logos was the reason that ordered the cosmos.
- For the Jews: the Word of God created and sustained life.
- For John: Christ unites both senses, being the creative Word and the revelation of God.
The Prologue of John shows that Jesus not only speaks God’s word, but is Himself that Word in action.
The Light in the Prologue of John
Another central symbol is the Light. The text states: “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Light represents life, truth, and revelation, while darkness symbolizes rejection and spiritual ignorance. The contrast creates a message of hope: however great the darkness may be, it can never extinguish the light of Christ.
John the Baptist as Witness
The Prologue of John also speaks about John the Baptist. He was not the light but came to bear witness to it. This shows the human role in proclaiming the truth. John the Baptist prepares the way, but the focus remains on Christ, the true revelation of God.
The Incarnation in the Prologue of John
The high point of the text is John 1:14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
This phrase reveals the mystery of the Incarnation: God becoming human to be near His creation. Here the Christian faith finds its heart — the divine and the human united in one person.
The Impact of the Incarnation
- It brings God near to humanity.
- It reveals love and grace in practical ways.
- It shows that Jesus is not an abstract idea, but a historical reality.
In the Prologue of John, the Incarnation is proof of God’s commitment to humanity.
Comparisons with the Other Gospels
Matthew and Luke begin their accounts with genealogies and stories of Jesus’ birth. Mark starts with the ministry of John the Baptist. The Prologue of John, however, goes further: it places Christ at the very beginning, before creation, affirming His eternity and divinity.
This reinforces the idea that John did not want merely to recount events, but to reveal the deepest meaning of Jesus’ life.
Spiritual Reflections
The Prologue of John is an invitation to reflection. It leads us to see Christ as the foundation of life and faith.
Practical Applications
- Live guided by the light of Christ.
- Recognize grace as a daily gift.
- Bear witness to the truth, as John the Baptist did.
- See Jesus as the supreme revelation of God’s love.
These principles make the prologue more than poetry: they turn it into a guide for life.
The Prologue of John and Christian Theology
Within theology, the Prologue of John is fundamental. It supports the doctrine of the Trinity, shows the Incarnation as the center of faith, and presents grace as the reality that supersedes the law. It is no surprise that it is one of the most cited texts in theological discussions throughout history.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Prologue of John
How to pray the Prologue of John?
The Prologue of John is often used in prayer as a meditative text. Reading it aloud, with pauses and attention to meaning, helps turn the passage into prayer. In some liturgical traditions, it is recited daily as a way to remember the Incarnation and the presence of Christ’s light in the world.
What is the Prologue of John?
The Prologue of John comprises the first eighteen verses of the Gospel of John (Jn 1:1–18). It presents Jesus as the eternal Word, the true Light who enlightens humanity, and the Son who reveals God’s grace and truth.
Where is the Prologue of John in the Bible?
In the Bible, the Prologue of John appears at the very beginning of the fourth Gospel. Its role is to prepare the reader by showing that Jesus is not merely a man, but the divine Word who was with God from the beginning and who became flesh to dwell among us.
What is the Prologue of Saint John in the liturgy?
In the Catholic liturgy, the Prologue of John is proclaimed on special occasions, such as Christmas Day. It highlights the Incarnation of the Word and the presence of Christ as the true light. For this reason, it is considered a solemn and deeply spiritual text within the celebrations.
Is there any relation between João Grilo, the clown, and the Prologue of John?
There is no direct relation between the popular character João Grilo (from Brazilian theater and cinema) and the Prologue of John. The confusion arises only because of the word “prologue,” which in literature can mean an introduction to a work. In the biblical context, it specifically refers to the beginning of the Gospel of John.
What does “In the beginning was the Word” mean?
It means that Christ existed before all creation, being eternal and divine.
Because it communicated to the Greek and Jewish public, revealing Christ as divine reason and creative Word.
Because it communicated to the Greek and Jewish public, revealing Christ as divine reason and creative Word.
What does “the Word became flesh” mean?
That God took on human nature in Jesus.
Conclusion
The Prologue of John is one of the richest passages in the Bible. It presents Jesus as eternal, divine, and incarnate. Its message is not merely historical but timeless: the light has overcome the darkness, and God’s grace has been revealed in Christ.
Studying this text is to dive into the heart of the Christian faith and to better understand who Jesus is and what He means for humanity.
READ ALSO:
- Commit Your Way to the Lord: Meaning, Practice, and Prayer
- Salt of the Earth and Light of the World: Meaning, Context, and Applications
- God’s Will Is Good, Pleasing, and Perfect
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