John 1:1 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

¹ The Word [already] existed in the beginning [of time]. [Note: This is a reference to the preexistence of Jesus. See verse 14]. And the Word was with God and the Word was [what] God [was].

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹ IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. [Isa. 9:6.]

American Standard Version (1901)

¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Common English Bible

¹ In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word.

John 1:1 Cross References

John 17:5

And now, Father, honor me in your presence with the honor I had with you before the world was [created].

Revelation 19:13

And He is dressed in a robe that has been dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is “The Word of God.”

Colossians 1:17

And He existed before all things and all things are held together by Him.

John 1:14

[Eventually] this Word became a human being and lived among us [Note: The word “lived” here refers to pitching a temporary tent]. (And we saw His splendor; such splendor as belongs to the Father’s only Son), full of God’s favor and truth.

Revelation 22:13

I am the Alpha and the Omega [See note at 1:8], the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

John 1:2

This Word existed with God from the beginning [of time].

Revelation 1:8

“I am the Alpha and the Omega” [Note: These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, and indicate “the beginning and the end” See 21:6], says the Lord God Almighty, who is [in the present], and who was [in the past] and who will come [in the future].

Philippians 2:6

He existed in the form of God [i.e., He shared God’s very nature], but did not consider [remaining] equal with God something [to continue] to hold onto.

Matthew 1:23

“Look, the virgin will become pregnant and have a son, and they will name Him Immanuel,” which means “God with us.”

Revelation 21:6

Then He said to me, “These things have already happened. [Note: These words express the certainty of what has been predicted in this book, even though not all the events had actually taken place yet]. I am the Alpha and the Omega [See note at 1:8], the beginning and the end. I will give the person who is [spiritually] thirsty [a drink] from the spring of water of life without his having to pay for it.

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

1 John 5:20

And [in addition], we know that the Son of God has come [in a physical body, See 4:2] and has given us understanding, so that we can know the True One [i.e., God], and that we are in [fellowship with] the True One, even His Son Jesus Christ. This Son is the true God and eternal life.

1 Timothy 3:16

And without question the revealed secret of godly living is great. [It is this]: He [i.e., Christ, or God], who appeared in a fleshly body [was] vindicated [of false charges] by the Holy Spirit; [He was] seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed in throughout the world [and finally] was taken up into glory [i.e., heaven].

John 16:28

I came from the Father into this world and now I am leaving the world and returning to the Father.”

Revelation 1:17

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as [though I were] dead. And He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last,

John 20:28

Thomas replied to Him, “My Lord and my God.”

Titus 2:13

while looking forward to the blessed hope [i.e., the hope that produces blessings] and the coming splendor of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 7:3

He was without a father, or mother or a list of ancestors [i.e., there was no record of his family tree] and no [record of his] birth or death. Like the Son of God, he [appeared to] remain a priest perpetually.

Revelation 3:14

“Write [this] to the angel of the church at Laodicia: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the source [or, ruler] of God’s creation [See John 1:3; Heb. 1:1-2]:

Ephesians 3:9

[I was given the responsibility] to enlighten all people regarding the working out of God’s secret plan, which has been kept hidden for ages in [the heart of] God, who created everything.

Revelation 1:2

[So], John testified concerning everything he saw of God’s message and Jesus Christ’s testimony [of it].

1 John 5:7

For there are three who give their testimony [about Jesus]:

Romans 9:5

They are descended from our forefathers; they are the ones from whom Christ was born physically. He is God over everything [Note: Or this may be “God is over everything”] and should be praised forever! May it be so.

John 1:18

No one has ever seen God [i.e., His full splendor], but God, the only conceived [and eventually born Son], who is at the Father’s side, has shown us who He is.

Revelation 2:8

“And write [this] to the angel of the church at Smyrna: These things are the words of the First and the Last [i.e., Jesus], who was dead, but has come [back] to life:

2 Peter 1:1

[This letter is being written by] Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith just as precious as ours, through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Revelation 1:11

saying, “Write down in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicia.” [Note: These seven congregations were all located in western Asia Minor].

Luke 24:53

And they were there in the Temple [area] continually praising God [i.e., for the next ten days. See Acts 2].

John 8:58

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am.” [Note: The words “I am” were probably construed as a reference to being Deity. See Ex. 3:14].

Colossians 1:15

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn One [i.e., who takes preeminence] over all that is created.