JOHN 1:14-18
THE WORD MADE FLESH: A REVELATION OF DIVINE GLORY
INTRODUCTION
The Gospel of John opens with a profound theological reflection on the nature and mission of Jesus Christ. In verses 14-18 of the first chapter, we encounter a pivotal declaration about the incarnation of the Word and its significance for humanity. This passage serves as a bridge between the lofty concepts of the prologue and the narrative of Jesus’ earthly ministry that follows, offering a rich tapestry of themes central to Christian faith and doctrine. At the heart of this passage lies the transformative truth that “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (Jn 1:14). This statement encapsulates the mystery of the incarnation, where the eternal Logos takes on human nature in the person of Jesus Christ. The evangelist emphasizes that through Jesus, we have beheld the glory of God, full of grace and truth. This revelation of divine glory through the incarnate Word marks a new era in salvation history, surpassing even the grace given through the Mosaic Law. The Catholic understanding of these verses recognizes them as a profound articulation of Christ’s role as the ultimate revealer of God’s nature and the source of salvific grace for all humanity.
John 1:14-18 highlights the unique and transformative nature of Jesus’ entry into the world, emphasizing that grace and truth are fully realized through Him. The Word, which was with God and was God, became flesh and dwelt among us, revealing the divine glory, full of grace and truth. This passage underscores the intimate relationship between the divine and human natures of Jesus, marking a pivotal moment in salvation history where God’s ultimate self-revelation and redemptive action take place. In these verses, John contrasts the law given through Moses with the grace and truth brought by Jesus Christ. The law, while holy and righteous, pointed towards the need for a more profound fulfillment that could only be achieved through Jesus. His coming not only completes the law but also transcends it by offering a personal relationship with God characterized by unmerited favor and eternal truth. As we delve deeper into this passage, we are invited to contemplate the depths of God’s love and the fullness of His revelation in Jesus Christ, who embodies the grace that redeems and the truth that sets free.
John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.”
This verse is a pivotal declaration of the Incarnation, where the eternal Word (Logos) of God took on human nature and lived among humanity. This concept is foundational in Catholic theology, emphasizing the unity of Jesus Christ’s divine and human natures.
The prologue of John’s Gospel (John 1:1-18) echoes the creation narrative in Genesis, establishing Jesus as the pre-existent Word through whom all things were made. The phrase “became flesh” signifies the tangible reality of God’s presence in the world through Jesus Christ. This is not merely symbolic but a real, historical event where God entered human history in a new and profound way.
Theological Implications
1. Incarnation: The Incarnation is central to Catholic doctrine, affirming that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man. This union of divine and human natures in the person of Jesus is a mystery celebrated in the Church’s liturgy and sacraments, particularly in the Eucharist.
2. Grace and Truth: Jesus is described as being “full of grace and truth.” This phrase highlights Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God’s grace (unmerited favor) and truth (faithfulness and reliability). Through Jesus, believers receive the fullness of God’s grace, surpassing the Law given through Moses.
3. Divine Glory: The “glory” seen in Jesus is the same glory that belongs to the Father, indicating Jesus’ divine origin and nature. This glory was manifested in Jesus’ miracles, teachings, and ultimately in his resurrection, which revealed his divine sonship and mission.
Interpretation
1. The Word Became Flesh:
– “Word” (Greek: Logos): In the context of John’s Gospel, the “Word” refers to Jesus Christ, the second person of the Holy Trinity. This aligns with the opening of John’s Gospel (Jn 1:1) which states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
– “Became flesh”: This phrase signifies the Incarnation, the moment when God took on human nature in the person of Jesus Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 464) teaches, “The unique and altogether singular event of the Incarnation of the Son of God does not mean that Jesus Christ is part God and part man, nor does it imply that he is the result of a confused mixture of the divine and the human. He became truly man while remaining truly God.”
2. Made His Dwelling Among Us:
– This expression, translated from the Greek “eskēnōsen,” literally means “pitched His tent” among us. This evokes the Old Testament imagery of God dwelling among His people in the Tabernacle during their journey in the wilderness (Ex 25:8). It emphasizes God’s desire to be intimately present with His people.
During the wanderings in the desert, the Israelites had God’s tent or tabernacle amid their tents. That was God’s meeting place with his chosen people, and His glory was visible there (Ex 25:8). God’s presence continued in the Solomon’s Temple. Once the Babylonians destroyed the Temple because of the Israelites’ sins, God’s glorious presence departed from there. It did not return in the temple reconstructed by governor Zerubbabel or later by King Herod the Great. The incarnate Word was the new mode of God’s presence among his people. That was a better presence because unlike that of the Old Testament, this presence of God was more tangible and accessible to all people.
3. We Saw His Glory:
– The glory seen by the disciples and early followers of Jesus is the divine glory of the only Son of the Father. This glory was revealed through Jesus’ miracles, His Transfiguration (Mt 17:1-8), His Passion, and most profoundly, His Resurrection. The CCC 555 states, “For a moment Jesus discloses his divine glory, confirming Peter’s confession. He also reveals that he will have to go by the way of the cross at Jerusalem in order to ‘enter into his glory.'”
John the Evangelist had a vision of heaven on the island of Patmos. He wrote down that vision in the book of Revelation. He was also at Mount Tabor when Jesus exhibited his glory with Moses and Elijah. John, along with the other apostles, witnessed many miracles and signs that Jesus performed over three years. So, John could claim along with the other the apostles, “we saw his glory.”
The glory of the Lord means a manifestation of God’s presence. The rabbis call it Shekinah, which means “that which dwells.” Though the Bible does not use that term, the rabbis coined it to signify God’s dwelling on the earth. It was first visible when the Israelites left from Succoth escaping from Egypt. The Lord appeared to them in a cloudy pillar during the day and a fiery pillar by night (Ex 13:20-22). The Lord’s glory later filled the tabernacle. “Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting and the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle” (Ex 40:34). This glorious presence of God continued in the Temple of Jerusalem (1 Kgs 8:10-11).
Seeing the glory of God does not mean seeing God face to face as we see one another. “Now, as soon as Moses entered the Tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance to the Tent, while the LORD would speak with Moses” (Ex 33:9). Though Exodus 33:11 says, “Then the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend,” what Moses saw was not God’s face but a column of cloud (Ex 33:20; 34:5). It was visible also to the Israelites. “When all the people saw the pillar of cloud at the entrance to the Tent, they would arise and worship, each one at the entrance to his own tent” (Ex 33:10). Moses requested God to allow him to see His glory (Ex 33:18). God’s response was, “But you cannot see my face, for no one can see me and live” (Ex 33:20). It is like no one can look at the sun with naked eyes at noon and preserve the eyesight. So, God allowed Moses to see only God’s back (Ex 33:23). Jesus Christ affirmed that “No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him” (Jn 1:18).
In the New Testament, we see God’s glory in Jesus because God dwelt among us through the incarnation of Jesus. According to Saint Paul, “For in him dwells the fullness of God in bodily form” (Col 2:9). So, Jesus said to Philip, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9). Since Jesus came to this world in a humble human form, people did not see his full divine glory because they see him with their human eyes. Peter, James, and John saw his glory on a mountain, and it terrified them (Mt 17:1- 13). So, John says, “And the Word became flesh; he pitched his tent among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son coming from the Father, full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:14). We will see Jesus and his Father as they are in their full glory when Christ reappears (1 Jn 3:2).
4. Glory as of the Father’s only Son
Jesus manifested his glory through the miracles he performed. The miracle of turning water into wine at Cana was the beginning of showing his glory. “This miraculous sign was the first that Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. In this way he manifested his glory and his disciples believed in him” (Jn 2:11). The disciples believed in Jesus as the Messiah because of these signs of glory. The glory that Jesus revealed was also the glory of his Father. Before raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus said, “This illness will not end in death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (Jn 11:4). Jesus shared his glory with his disciples (Jn 17:22).
5. Full of Grace and Truth:
– Jesus embodies the fullness of grace and truth, reflecting the faithful love and fidelity of God. This phrase alludes to the steadfast love (hesed) and faithfulness (emet) of God in the Old Testament (Ex 34:6). Jesus, as the incarnate Word, perfectly manifests these divine attributes.
Grace
“Grace” stands for the divine mercy of Jesus. Instead of punishing us for our sins, Jesus took upon himself the punishment for our sins, rescued us from the eternal damnation, sanctified us, and will present us to his Father at his second coming. It is only because of Jesus’ saving action that we are eligible for eternal salvation. Isaiah wrote 700 years before Christ on how Jesus would show his grace toward humanity: “Yet ours were the infirmities he bore, ours were the sufferings he endured; although we considered him as one punished by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was wounded for our sins, he was crushed for our wickedness; the punishment that made us whole fell on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isa 53:4-5).
When a child makes a mistake and becomes helpless, the parent rescues the child even at a loss or suffering. God the Father sent his only Son Jesus to do the same for His children who are in a helpless situation. So, Jesus fought for us against the devil, suffered for our cause by taking our iniquities upon himself, and offered himself as the sin offering for us. Without Jesus, we could not achieve this.
No other religion has a God that would show such grace to the believers. Humbling himself as a suffering person, sacrificing for the faithful, and forgiving the faults of those who hurt him are characteristics of this incarnate God.
We who are sinful cannot achieve grace by ourselves. So Jesus did it for us. To imitate Christ is to take up the acts of Jesus’ grace and mercy in our lives. The mercy that the father showed to his prodigal son (Lk 15:11-32), the rescue and forgiveness Jesus gave to an adulterous lady brought to him for stoning to death (Jn 8:1-11), Jesus’ prayer for the forgiveness of those who crucified him (Lk 23:34) are examples for us to learn from the mercy of Jesus.
Truth
We shall try and understand “truth” by analysing its opposite, the lie. In Adam and Eve’s story, God told them the truth, whereas the serpent lied to them (Gen 3:1-3). The first parents believed the liar and rejected the truth. Throughout salvation history, God has told only the truth through the Law and the prophets. Many followed the truth, and most went away from the truth and worshipped false gods. So, turning away from the truth is sin.
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6). Jesus identified himself with the truth. He did not just talk about God, instead, he showed how God was like. There were many false leaders during Jesus’ public ministry. But they were no better than ‘the blind leading the blind’ (Mt 15:14). Jesus is the only truth because he is God. “Jesus went on to say to the Jews who believed in him, ‘If you live in my word, you will indeed be my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free’” (Jn 8:31-32).
The lie might give a temporary solution, but will not last and will ultimately lead to destruction. Jesus always told the truth, and his enemies crucified him. That later paved way for his victory over death. The martyrs of the church and many other Christians stood for the truth and suffered. They still live in heaven and the devotions of the believers. Being truthful to our doctor, confessor, lawyer, parent, or friend is necessary for our success in distress. The lie of the devil brought punishment to humanity. The truth of Jesus leads us to victory over evil and sin.
Reflection
The mystery of the Incarnation invites Christians to contemplate the profound love and humility of God. By becoming flesh, God not only shared in our humanity but also elevated it. This act of divine condescension shows that God is not distant but intimately involved in the human experience. The Incarnation also calls Christians to recognize the sacredness of human life and the presence of God in the ordinary moments of life. John 1:14 invites us to contemplate the profound mystery of the Incarnation, where the eternal Word of God took on human flesh to dwell among us. This mystery reveals God’s immense love for humanity and His desire to be close to us. In Jesus, we see the fullness of God’s grace and truth, offering us salvation and revealing the way to the Father. As Christians, we are called to recognize and respond to this divine presence in our lives, allowing the grace and truth of Christ to transform us and guide our actions.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Help us to embrace the mystery of the Incarnation with faith and wonder. May we see Your glory in the face of Christ and receive the fullness of grace and truth that He brings. Transform our hearts to reflect His love and humility in our daily lives. Open our hearts to fully embrace the mystery of the Incarnation and to see Your glory revealed in our daily lives. Fill us with Your grace and truth, that we may reflect Your love and fidelity in all we do. Guide us to live in closer communion with You, and help us to be faithful witnesses of Your presence in the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
John 1:15 John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’”
In John 1:15, John the Baptist bears witness to Jesus Christ, affirming His pre-existence and superiority. This verse is part of the prologue of the Gospel of John, which establishes key theological themes about the identity of Jesus as the Word (Logos) who was with God and is God (Jn 1:1-3). John the Baptist’s testimony emphasizes that although Jesus’ public ministry began after John’s, Jesus is greater because He existed before John, underscoring His divine nature.
Catholic Interpretation
Catholic teaching recognizes John the Baptist as the forerunner of Christ, whose role was to prepare the way for Jesus (Isa 40:3; Mal 3:1). John 1:15 highlights several important theological points:
1. Pre-existence of Christ: John the Baptist acknowledges that Jesus existed before him, even though John was born earlier. This points to the eternal nature of Christ, aligning with the doctrine of the Trinity, where Jesus is the second Person, eternally begotten of the Father (Jn 1:1-2, 14).
2. Superiority of Christ: By stating that Jesus “has passed ahead of me,” John the Baptist affirms Jesus’ superiority and preeminence. This is consistent with Catholic teaching that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, bringing grace and truth (Jn 1:17).
3. Witness and Testimony: John the Baptist’s role as a witness is crucial. His testimony prepares the people to recognize and accept Jesus as the Messiah. This reflects the Catholic understanding of the prophetic mission to point others to Christ (Jn 1:6-8).
Reflection
John the Baptist’s humility and recognition of Jesus’ divine nature are profound lessons for Christians today. His acknowledgment of Jesus’ pre-existence and superiority calls us to recognize the divinity of Christ and His central role in salvation history. John’s witness challenges us to bear witness to Christ in our own lives, pointing others to Him through our words and actions.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the witness of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for our Lord Jesus Christ. Help us to recognize the preeminence of Your Son in all aspects of our lives. Grant us the humility and courage to bear witness to His truth and love. May we, like John, point others to the light of Christ, so that they too may come to know and follow Him. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
John 1:16-17 “And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
In John 1:16-17, the Evangelist emphasizes the transformative nature of Jesus Christ’s coming into the world. This passage highlights two key aspects: the fullness of Christ and the transition from the Law to grace and truth.
Fullness of Christ
The phrase “from his fullness” refers to the complete and perfect nature of Jesus Christ, who is both fully divine and fully human. This fullness encompasses all the attributes of God – love, mercy, wisdom, and power. According to Catholic teaching, this fullness is not just a static attribute but a dynamic source from which believers continually receive grace. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states, “The Word became flesh to make us ‘partakers of the divine nature’ (2 Pet 1:4)” (CCC 460). This means that through Christ, we are invited to share in the divine life.
Grace Upon Grace
The expression “grace upon grace” suggests an overflowing abundance of grace that believers receive through Christ. This grace is not a one-time gift but a continuous outpouring that builds upon itself. The variations in translations highlight different nuances:
– “Grace in the place of grace”: This can mean the new covenant of Jesus replacing the old one of Moses.
– “Grace upon grace”: This signifies the accumulating grace of Jesus over the grace received through Moses.
– “Grace for grace”: This can mean the grace of Jesus corresponding to the grace given through Moses.
St. Thomas Aquinas interprets this as the grace of the Old Covenant being fulfilled and surpassed by the grace of the New Covenant through Jesus Christ (Summa Theologica, III, q. 7, a. 9).
Law and Grace
The passage contrasts the Law given through Moses with the grace and truth that came through Jesus Christ. The Law, as given in the Old Testament, was a guide to righteous living and a means to understand God’s will. However, it was incomplete and could not bring salvation on its own. St. Paul explains this in his letter to the Romans, stating that the Law reveals sin but does not have the power to save from it (Rom 3:20).
Before Jesus, the Mosaic Law governed the Israelites. Regardless of their like or dislike, whether or not they understood, they had to keep the laws, like slaves obeying their masters. However, Jesus perfected the Law by making it as the loving guidance of a father to his children. So, in the place of God as a mere lawgiver and judge, Jesus presented God as a loving parent.
In contrast, Jesus Christ brings grace and truth. Grace refers to the unmerited favor and divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration and sanctification. Truth refers to the ultimate revelation of God’s nature and will, fully disclosed in Jesus Christ. The CCC explains, “Grace is a participation in the life of God. It introduces us into the intimacy of Trinitarian life” (CCC 1997).
Reflection
As Christians, we are called to recognize the profound gift we have received in Jesus Christ. The fullness of Christ means that we are never lacking in what we need for our spiritual journey. The continuous outpouring of grace upon grace assures us that God’s love and mercy are inexhaustible. The transition from the Law to grace and truth signifies a new era in our relationship with God, one that is based on love and intimate communion rather than mere adherence to rules.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the fullness of grace and truth that we have received through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to live in the abundance of this grace, continually growing in our relationship with You. May we always be mindful of the transformative power of Your love and strive to reflect it in our daily lives. Guide us to live not just by the letter of the Law but by the spirit of grace and truth that Jesus has brought to us. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
John 1:18 “No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.”
John 1:18 serves as a profound conclusion to the prologue of John’s Gospel, encapsulating the essence of the Incarnation and the unique revelation of God through Jesus Christ.
The Invisibility of God
The statement “No one has ever seen God” underscores the transcendence and invisibility of God. This theme is consistent with Old Testament teachings, where direct encounters with God were rare and often veiled. For instance, in Exodus 33:20, God tells Moses, “you cannot see my face; for man shall not see me and live.” This highlights the divine mystery and the holiness that separates God from humanity. Though there were manifestations of God like the Shekinah cloud or fire, no one saw God directly or understood heaven. Until Jesus opened the gates of heaven for us, we were not eligible to enter there. The saints who died before Jesus were resting in the bosom of Abraham and were waiting for Jesus’ victory to regain the lost paradise.
The Unique Revelation of the Son
The phrase “the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father” emphasizes the unique and intimate relationship between Jesus and God the Father. The term “bosom” signifies closeness and deep affection, indicating that Jesus has an unparalleled understanding of the Father. This relationship is further elaborated in John 14:9, where Jesus says, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” This shows the Son’s closeness or intimacy with the Father and the authority he shares with Him. Usually, the one who is close to a person in authority will recline with him, like a prime minister sits at the side of the king.
Catholic teaching holds that Jesus is the definitive revelation of God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states, “Christ, the Son of God made man, is the Father’s one, perfect, and unsurpassable Word. In him, he has said everything; there will be no other word than this one” (CCC 65). This means that in Jesus, God has fully revealed Himself to humanity.
The Mission of Revelation
The final part of the verse, “he has made him known,” indicates the mission of Jesus: to reveal the Father to the world. This revelation is not just intellectual but relational, inviting believers into a personal relationship with God. Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection all serve to make the invisible God known and accessible to humanity.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
– CCC 151: “For a Christian, believing in God cannot be separated from believing in the One he sent, his ‘beloved Son,’ in whom the Father is ‘well pleased’; God tells us to listen to him. The Lord himself said to his disciples: ‘Believe in God, believe also in me.'”
– CCC 241: “For this reason, the apostles confess Jesus to be the Word: ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God’; as ‘the image of the invisible God’; as ‘the radiance of the glory of God and the very stamp of his nature’.”
Reflection
John 1:18 invites us to deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ, the visible manifestation of the invisible God. Through His words and actions, we come to know the Father intimately. Jesus is not only a messenger but God Himself, dwelling among us to bring us into communion with the divine.
In reflecting on John 1:18, we are reminded of the profound mystery of the Incarnation. God, who is beyond human comprehension, chose to reveal Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ. This revelation is a gift that invites us into a deeper relationship with God, moving beyond mere knowledge to a lived experience of His love and grace.
As Christians, we are called to continually seek Jesus, who reveals the heart of the Father. By embracing His teachings and following His example, we draw closer to the mystery of God’s love and presence in our lives.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who reveals Your love and truth to us. Help us to seek Him earnestly and to follow His teachings with faithful hearts. Open our eyes to see Your presence in our daily lives and strengthen our faith so that we may live as true witnesses of Your divine love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
CONCLUSION
The passage John 1:14-18 reveals profound theological truths about the nature of Jesus Christ and His mission on earth. John declares that “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us,” emphasizing that Jesus, the eternal Logos, took on human nature to live among humanity. This incarnation is a pivotal event, showcasing God’s immense love and commitment to His creation. By becoming flesh, Jesus not only bridges the gap between the divine and the human but also reveals God’s glory in a tangible way. This glory, described as “full of grace and truth,” contrasts with the law given through Moses, offering a more profound and personal revelation of God’s character and intentions for humanity. Through Jesus, we witness the ultimate expression of God’s grace, as He takes on human limitations and experiences, culminating in His sacrificial death and resurrection, which provides the means for humanity’s redemption and reconciliation with God.
Furthermore, John’s prologue underscores the unique and unparalleled nature of Jesus’ revelation of God. While no one has ever seen God, Jesus, the only Son who is close to the Father’s heart, has made Him known. This intimate relationship between the Father and the Son ensures that Jesus’ teachings and actions are a direct and perfect manifestation of God’s will and character. The passage invites believers to reflect on the depth of God’s love and the lengths He went to reveal Himself and offer salvation. It encourages a response of faith, gratitude, and a commitment to live in the light of this revelation, embracing the grace and truth that Jesus embodies.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who revealed Your glory, full of grace and truth. Help us to live in gratitude for His sacrifice and to embrace the grace and truth He brought into the world. May the Holy Spirit guide us to reflect Your love and glory in our lives, deepening our faith and understanding of Your Word. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.