The beginning of the gospel of John has a unique style and message. It is presented in the form of a hymn, describing what is called “The Word.” Similar to the other gospels, the introduction tells us something that the author wants us to believe about Jesus. The hymn is separated into four sections; each one tells the reader something different about Jesus, or “The Word.”
In the first stanza, verses one and two, the author informs the reader of the existence of the Word. The Word has existed since the beginning of time along with God, and is in fact, God. Immediately in just the first verse, the author creates this complex idea of duality of person, which is reinforced in verse two. It is restated:”he was in the beginning with God,” which reemphasizes the fact that they are two separate entities, though the Word is God.
In the second stanza, verses three through five, the author explains the power of the Word. He tells the reader that “all things came into being through him, and without him nothing came into being.” This statement implies immense power and names the Word (God) as the creator of all life. The author then goes on to describe this life as “the light of all people,” which “shines in the darkness.” This imagery creates in the reader a positive, hopeful mood, implying that the Word is a good light that casts out darkness.
The third stanza, verses nine through twelve explain how this light comes into the world. The author says that the “world did not know him.” At this point the reader begins to see parallels with the figure of Jesus. The hymn continues: “his own people did not accept him,” but those “who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.” These statements suggest that the Word is Jesus, as they perfectly describe Jesus’ teachings. The reader then can deduce that the author is implying that Jesus is God.
The fourth and final tells us that because “the Word became flesh and lived among us […] we have all received, grace upon grace.” This last statement paints a final image of the Word, or Jesus: the Savior. The idea of grace is pivotal to the Christian belief, and John highlights the source of this grace: Jesus, who is God, who came to earth to live among us. This portrait of the Word is important to the presentation of the beginning of Jesus’ life because it fills in the gaps of some missing components. First of all, because the gospel of John lacks a birth story, the hymn makes up for it by telling the origin of the Word. It is explained that the Word has existed, along with God, since the beginning, implying that Jesus (who is also God) has also existed from the beginning.