John 1:1-18

John 1:1-18. The Prologue or Introduction

That the first eighteen verses are introductory is universally admitted: commentators are not so unanimous as to the main divisions of this introduction. A division into three nearly equal parts has much to commend it:

1. The Word in His own Nature(John 1:1-5).

2. His Revelation to men and rejection by them(John 1:6-13).

3. His Revelation of the Father(John 1:14-18).

Some throw the second and third part into one, thus:

2. The historical manifestation of the Word(John 1:6-18).

Others again divide into two parts thus:

1. The Word in His absolute eternal Being(John 1:1).

2. The Word in relation to Creation(John 1:2-18).

And there are other schemes besides these. In any scheme the student can scarcely fail to feel that the first verse is unique. Throughout the prologue the three great characteristics of this Gospel, simplicity, subtlety, and sublimity, are specially conspicuous; and the majesty of the first verse surpasses all. The Gospel of the Son of Thunder opens with a peal.