The Word
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1.1
Each of the Gospel records presents Jesus in a particular and specific role. While the narratives of the first three (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) are considered synoptic (paralleling and agreeing), the Gospel of John stands out because of a different approach as John presents Jesus as the God-man.
Matthew presents Jesus as the rightful heir to the Throne of David – as the King of the Jews. Mark presents Jesus as the Suffering Servant – the One who humbled Himself in order to serve humanity ultimately with His life and death. Luke presents Jesus as the man – the One who took upon Himself the robe of humanity in order to be the physical response to God’s demand for a perfect Sacrifice.
Each of the three offers the same story told from a different perspective. By studying each, we gain tremendous insight into the diverse character of this single person – the Messiah – the Chosen One of God.
John presents Jesus as the “Word” of God. As the member of the Trinity, Jesus took upon Himself a mantle of flesh which had been prepared by the Father (Hebrews 10.5) and performed by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1.35). This “Holy Thing” conceived by the Holy Ghost would be called “the Son of God.” Since in Him dwells all of the fullness of the Godhead (Colossians 2.9), John introduces Him as the “Word” (the Logos – the embodiment of speech, reason and logic). Unlike other expressions from the Greek language, this designation requires the expression of a person or personality of the individual. It requires authenticity of the one existing.
For this reason, John can, without contradiction, report Jesus’ statement: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14.6) This Person of whom John speaks was (eimi – “be, am”) in (en –“a place or time”) the beginning (Genesis 1.1; Colossians 1.16) with (pros – “together with, alongside”) God.
Three times in this sentence John uses this imperfect of eimi (“to be”), which conveys no idea of origin for God or for the Logos – it speaks simply of continuous existence. (Hebrews 7.3) As the Word of God, Jesus came to earth through the agency of a virgin, Mary, and accomplished completely the revelation of God and the remedy for sin (John 19.30) – He became our substitute as He bore our sins in his body on the Cross. (Hebrews 10.10)
Being the Eternal Word, Jesus is able to effect eternal life for those who believe in Him for salvation. Because He is God and does not change (Hebrews 13.8), His promise of eternal life is, well, eternal. We can thank Him for salvation – consistency – and eternity. (Malachi 3.6)
Matthew presents Jesus as the rightful heir to the Throne of David – as the King of the Jews. Mark presents Jesus as the Suffering Servant – the One who humbled Himself in order to serve humanity ultimately with His life and death. Luke presents Jesus as the man – the One who took upon Himself the robe of humanity in order to be the physical response to God’s demand for a perfect Sacrifice.
Each of the three offers the same story told from a different perspective. By studying each, we gain tremendous insight into the diverse character of this single person – the Messiah – the Chosen One of God.
John presents Jesus as the “Word” of God. As the member of the Trinity, Jesus took upon Himself a mantle of flesh which had been prepared by the Father (Hebrews 10.5) and performed by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1.35). This “Holy Thing” conceived by the Holy Ghost would be called “the Son of God.” Since in Him dwells all of the fullness of the Godhead (Colossians 2.9), John introduces Him as the “Word” (the Logos – the embodiment of speech, reason and logic). Unlike other expressions from the Greek language, this designation requires the expression of a person or personality of the individual. It requires authenticity of the one existing.
For this reason, John can, without contradiction, report Jesus’ statement: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14.6) This Person of whom John speaks was (eimi – “be, am”) in (en –“a place or time”) the beginning (Genesis 1.1; Colossians 1.16) with (pros – “together with, alongside”) God.
Three times in this sentence John uses this imperfect of eimi (“to be”), which conveys no idea of origin for God or for the Logos – it speaks simply of continuous existence. (Hebrews 7.3) As the Word of God, Jesus came to earth through the agency of a virgin, Mary, and accomplished completely the revelation of God and the remedy for sin (John 19.30) – He became our substitute as He bore our sins in his body on the Cross. (Hebrews 10.10)
Being the Eternal Word, Jesus is able to effect eternal life for those who believe in Him for salvation. Because He is God and does not change (Hebrews 13.8), His promise of eternal life is, well, eternal. We can thank Him for salvation – consistency – and eternity. (Malachi 3.6)
Copyright © 2025 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.
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