John 1

Read on churchofjesuschrist.org (with footnotes)

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

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 1

In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God.
IV v. 1 (Inspired Version, 1867)

2The same was in the beginning with God.

3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 3

All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made which was made.
IV v. 3 (Inspired Version, 1867)

4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 4

In him was the gospel, and the gospel was the life, and the life was the light of men;
IV v. 4 (Inspired Version, 1867)

5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 5

And the light shineth in the world, and the world perceiveth it not.
IV v. 5 (Inspired Version, 1867)

6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 7

The same came into the world for a witness, to bear witness of the light, to bear record of the gospel through the Son, unto all, that through him men might believe.
IV v. 7 (Inspired Version, 1867)

8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 8

He was not that light but came to bear witness of that light,
IV v. 8 (Inspired Version, 1867)

9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 9

Which was the true light, which lighteth every man who cometh into the world,
IV v. 9 (Inspired Version, 1867)

10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 10

Even the Son of God—he who was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
IV v. 10 (Inspired Version, 1867)

11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 12

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God; only to them who believe on his name.
IV v. 12 (Inspired Version, 1867)

13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 13

He was born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
IV v. 13 (Inspired Version, 1867)

14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 14

And the same word was made flesh and dwelt among us; and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
IV v. 14 (Inspired Version, 1867)

15John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 15

John bare witness of him and cried, saying, This is he of whom I spake. He who cometh after me is preferred before me, for he was before me.
IV v. 15 (Inspired Version, 1867)

16And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 17

For the law was given through Moses, but life and truth came through Jesus Christ.
IV v. 17 (Inspired Version, 1867)

18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 18

And no man hath seen God at any time, except he hath borne record of the Son; for except it is through him, no man can be saved.
IV v. 19 (Inspired Version, 1867)

19And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

20And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 20

And he confessed and denied not that he was Elias, but confessed, saying, I am not the Christ.
IV v. 21 (Inspired Version, 1867)

21And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 21

And they asked him, saying, How then art thou Elias? And he said, I am not that Elias who was to restore all things. And they asked him, saying, Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
IV v. 22 (Inspired Version, 1867)

22Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?

23He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 23

He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as saith the prophet Esaias.
IV v. 24 (Inspired Version, 1867)

24And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 24

And they who were sent were of the Pharisees.
IV v. 25 (Inspired Version, 1867)

25And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 25

And they asked him and said unto him; Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not the Christ, nor Elias who was to restore all things, neither that prophet?
IV v. 26 (Inspired Version, 1867)

26John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;

27He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 27

He it is of whom I bear record. He is that prophet, even Elias, who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose or whose place I am not able to fill; for he shall baptize, not only with water, but with fire and with the Holy Ghost.
IV v. 28 (Inspired Version, 1867)

28These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

29The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 29

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him and said, Behold, the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world!
IV v. 29 (Inspired Version, 1867)

30This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

31And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 31

And John bare record of him unto the people, saying, This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man who is preferred before me; for he was before me, and I knew him and that he should be made manifest to Israel; therefore, am I come baptizing with water.
IV v. 30 (Inspired Version, 1867)

32And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 32

And John bare record, saying, When he was baptized of me, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
IV v. 31 (Inspired Version, 1867)

33And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 33

And I knew him; for he who sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, the same is he who baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
IV v. 32 (Inspired Version, 1867)

34And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

35Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

36And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 36

And, looking upon Jesus as he walked, he said, Behold the Lamb of God!
IV v. 36 (Inspired Version, 1867)

37And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

38Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 38

Then Jesus turned, and saw them following him, and said unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Master), Where dwellest thou?
IV v. 38 (Inspired Version, 1867)

39He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 39

He said unto them, Come and see. And they came, and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day; for it was about the tenth hour.
IV v. 39 (Inspired Version, 1867)

40One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 40

One of the two who heard John and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
IV v. 40 (Inspired Version, 1867)

41He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

42And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 42

And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon, the son of Jona; thou shalt be called Cephas, which is, by interpretation, a seer or a stone. And they were fishermen. And they straightway left all and followed Jesus.
IV v. 42 (Inspired Version, 1867)

43The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

44Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 44

Now Philip was at Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
IV v. 44 (Inspired Version, 1867)

45Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

46And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 46

And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip said unto him, Come and see.
IV v. 46 (Inspired Version, 1867)

47Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 47

Jesus saw Nathanael coming unto him and said of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
IV v. 47 (Inspired Version, 1867)

48Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 48

Nathanael said unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus, answering, said unto him, Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
IV v. 48 (Inspired Version, 1867)

49Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 49

Nathanael answered and said unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
IV v. 49 (Inspired Version, 1867)

50Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

51And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 51

And he said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.
IV v. 51 (Inspired Version, 1867)

Also cited in commentary

1 Nephi 8 — The Tree, the Rod, and the Building — Two Geographies of the Soul
- The tree creates intercessors
1 Nephi 10 — The Coming Messiah, the Olive Tree in Seed, and the Doctrine of Personal Revelation
1 Nephi 11 — The Condescension of God and the Catechetical Tree
1 Nephi 21 — Isaiah 49 — The Servant's Commission, the Engraved Palms, and the Light to the Gentiles
2 Nephi 2 — Opposition in All Things, the Fall, and 'Men Are, That They Might Have Joy'
- "Redemption through the Holy Messiah"
- Where this lands
2 Nephi 14 — Isaiah 4 — The Branch of the Lord and the Restored Pillar of Cloud and Fire
- Where this lands
2 Nephi 16 — Isaiah 6 — The Throne Theophany, the Coal from the Altar, and Send Me
- Where this lands
2 Nephi 17 — Isaiah 7 — The Sign of Immanuel and the Trembling House of David
- Where this lands
2 Nephi 19 — Isaiah 9 — The People That Walked in Darkness, the Child Born, the Four Throne-Names
- Where this lands
2 Nephi 25 — Nephi's Exposition — The Plainness, Six Hundred Years, the Name of Christ, and Grace After All We Can Do
- Where this lands
2 Nephi 31 — The Doctrine of Christ — Baptism, the Holy Ghost, and the Strait Way
- Christ's example of baptism
- Where this lands
3 Nephi 1 — On the Morrow Come I Into the World — The Sign Fulfilled
- Conversion, and the shadow already gathering
- How the chapter is built
3 Nephi 8 — Darkness That Could Be Felt — The Destruction at the Death of Christ
3 Nephi 9 — Will Ye Not Now Return Unto Me — The Voice of Christ in the Darkness
- How the chapter is built
- The turn to mercy, and the voice names itself
Alma 7 — The Condescension at Gideon — He Shall Take Upon Him Their Infirmities, That His Bowels May Be Filled with Mercy, That He May Know According to the Flesh How to Succor His People
Alma 9 — Have Ye Forgotten the Tradition of Your Fathers — Alma's Covenant Memory Sermon and the Doctrine That It Shall Be More Tolerable for the Lamanites
- "The Son of God shall come in his glory"
- The chapter's architecture
Alma 10 — By the Prayers of the Righteous — Amulek's Testimony, the Manasseh Genealogy, and the Lawyer Class Introduced
- The chapter's architecture
Alma 11 — Every Joint to Its Proper Frame — The Nephite Money System, Zeezrom's Six Onties, and the Master Resurrection Discourse
- The chapter's architecture
- The Christological discourse and the very-Eternal-Father doctrine
Alma 13 — After the Order of the Son of God — The High Priesthood, Foreordination, and Melchizedek the King of Salem
- The chapter's architecture
- The foreordination of the high priests
Alma 15 — Believest Thou in the Power of Christ unto Salvation — Zeezrom Healed, Amulek Forsakes All, and the Quiet Restoration at Sidom
- Amulek's costly discipleship
- The chapter's architecture
Alma 19 — The Light of the Everlasting Life Was Lit Up in His Soul — The Queen's Greater Faith, Abish the Long-Hidden Witness, and the Conversion of Lamoni's Household
- The chapter's architecture
- The third-day rising
Alma 21 — Aaron in the City of Jerusalem — The Amalekites and Amulonites, the Synagogue Disputation, and the Prison of Middoni
- The chapter's architecture
Ether 3 — He Could Not Be Kept From Within the Veil — The Sixteen Stones, the Finger of the Lord, and the Unveiling of Christ
- How the chapter is built
Jacob 4 — Looking Beyond the Mark — Jacob's Meditation on Christ, Scripture, and the Jewish Stumble
- The unsearchable greatness
- Where this lands
Moroni 7 — Charity Is the Pure Love of Christ — Mormon's Sermon on Faith, Hope, and Charity
- How the chapter is built
Mosiah 1 — Benjamin's Father-Discourse — Language, Records, the Mysteries, and the Name That Shall Never Be Blotted Out
- Where this lands
Mosiah 3 — The Angel's Message — Jesus Christ Named, Blood from Every Pore, and the Natural Man
- The specifics about Christ
- Where this lands
Mosiah 5 — The Covenant Response — One Voice, No More Disposition to Evil, Spiritually Begotten Sons and Daughters, the Name in the Heart
Mosiah 7 — Ammon Finds the Lost Colony — The Bondage Pattern, the Slain Prophet, and the First Pre-Christian Christology Outside Benjamin
- The slain prophet and the chapter's central Christology
Mosiah 14 — The Suffering Servant — Isaiah 53 in the Mouth of Abinadi, Read into the Face of King Noah
- The rejection and the despised servant
- Where this lands
Mosiah 15 — God Himself Shall Come Down — Abinadi's Father-Son Christology, the Seed of the Servant, and Beautiful Feet Restored
Mosiah 16 — The Light That Cannot Be Darkened — Abinadi's Closing Sermon on Carnal Death, the Light of Endless Life, and the Law That Points Beyond Itself
Mosiah 22 — Gideon's Stratagem of Deliverance — Wine to the Guards, Departure by the Back Pass, the Lamanite Pursuit Lost in the Wilderness, and the Joining of Limhi's People to Mosiah-II in Zarahemla
- The council and Gideon's stratagem
Mosiah 27 — The Angel, the Three Days of Death-Like Sleep, and the Born-Again — Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah Converted, the Earth Trembling, the Soul Redeemed from the Gall of Bitterness
- Where this lands
Doctrine and Covenants 6 — Did I Not Speak Peace to Your Mind?
- The witness you already have
- Where this lands
Doctrine and Covenants 10 — My Wisdom Is Greater Than the Cunning of the Devil
- I am Jesus Christ; other sheep
- Where this lands
Doctrine and Covenants 11 — Seek Not to Declare My Word — First Seek to Obtain It
- Thou art Hyrum, my son
- Where this lands
Doctrine and Covenants 13 — Upon You My Fellow Servants — The Priesthood of Aaron
- Where this lands
Doctrine and Covenants 34 — The Light Which Shineth in Darkness
Doctrine and Covenants 35 — Even as John, to Prepare the Way
- Where this lands
Doctrine and Covenants 39 — Thine Heart Is Now Right
- Power to become my sons
- Where this lands
Doctrine and Covenants 41 — Ye Shall Receive My Law
Doctrine and Covenants 88 — The Olive Leaf
Doctrine and Covenants 93 — The Glory of God Is Intelligence
Genesis 1 — The Beginning That Explains Everything — God Creates the Heaven and the Earth, the Spirit Broods on the Deep, the Divine Council Says Let Us, and Man Is Made in the Image of God
Job 3 — Let the Day Perish — Job Breaks the Silence, Curses His Birth-Day, and Longs for the Rest of the Grave
- The unanswerable why
Job 38 — Out of the Whirlwind — The LORD Answers Job Not with a Why but with a Who
- How this chapter changes the reader
- The morning stars and the sons of God
Psalms 21 — The King Shall Joy in Thy Strength — The Thanksgiving After the Battle, the Crown of Pure Gold, and Length of Days For Ever
- The crown and the length of days
Psalms 32 — The Blessedness of the Uncovered Heart — Forgiveness, the Body's Testimony, and the Confession That Sets a Soul Free
- How this chapter changes the reader
- The two beatitudes of the forgiven
Abraham 3 — Kolob and the Council — the Governing Stars, the Noble and Great Ones, and 'Here Am I, Send Me'
- How this chapter changes the reader
Moses 1 — The Visions of Moses — Endless, the Only Begotten, the Confrontation with Satan, and the Work and the Glory
- Endless, and "thou art my son"
- How this chapter changes the reader
Moses 2 — I, God, Created — the Restored Creation, the Only Begotten as Agent, and the Seven Days

Cross-references are extracted from the project’s chapter essays — every link below points back into the original prose.

Public-domain text. The modern LDS edition with footnotes and chapter summaries is available on churchofjesuschrist.org ↗.

Study

Joseph Smith Translation

v. 1
In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God.
v. 3
All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made which was made.
v. 4
In him was the gospel, and the gospel was the life, and the life was the light of men;
v. 5
And the light shineth in the world, and the world perceiveth it not.
v. 7
The same came into the world for a witness, to bear witness of the light, to bear record of the gospel through the Son, unto all, that through him men might believe.
v. 8
He was not that light but came to bear witness of that light,
v. 9
Which was the true light, which lighteth every man who cometh into the world,
v. 10
Even the Son of God—he who was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
v. 12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God; only to them who believe on his name.
v. 13
He was born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
v. 14
And the same word was made flesh and dwelt among us; and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
v. 15
John bare witness of him and cried, saying, This is he of whom I spake. He who cometh after me is preferred before me, for he was before me.
v. 17
For the law was given through Moses, but life and truth came through Jesus Christ.
v. 18
And no man hath seen God at any time, except he hath borne record of the Son; for except it is through him, no man can be saved.
v. 20
And he confessed and denied not that he was Elias, but confessed, saying, I am not the Christ.
v. 21
And they asked him, saying, How then art thou Elias? And he said, I am not that Elias who was to restore all things. And they asked him, saying, Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
v. 23
He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as saith the prophet Esaias.
v. 24
And they who were sent were of the Pharisees.
v. 25
And they asked him and said unto him; Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not the Christ, nor Elias who was to restore all things, neither that prophet?
v. 27
He it is of whom I bear record. He is that prophet, even Elias, who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose or whose place I am not able to fill; for he shall baptize, not only with water, but with fire and with the Holy Ghost.
v. 29
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him and said, Behold, the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world!
v. 31
And John bare record of him unto the people, saying, This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man who is preferred before me; for he was before me, and I knew him and that he should be made manifest to Israel; therefore, am I come baptizing with water.
v. 32
And John bare record, saying, When he was baptized of me, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
v. 33
And I knew him; for he who sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, the same is he who baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
v. 36
And, looking upon Jesus as he walked, he said, Behold the Lamb of God!
v. 38
Then Jesus turned, and saw them following him, and said unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Master), Where dwellest thou?
v. 39
He said unto them, Come and see. And they came, and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day; for it was about the tenth hour.
v. 40
One of the two who heard John and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
v. 42
And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon, the son of Jona; thou shalt be called Cephas, which is, by interpretation, a seer or a stone. And they were fishermen. And they straightway left all and followed Jesus.
v. 44
Now Philip was at Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
v. 46
And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip said unto him, Come and see.
v. 47
Jesus saw Nathanael coming unto him and said of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
v. 48
Nathanael said unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus, answering, said unto him, Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
v. 49
Nathanael answered and said unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
v. 51
And he said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.
insertion after v. 15
For in the beginning was the Word, even the Son, who is made flesh and sent unto us by the will of the Father. And as many as believe on his name shall receive of his fullness. And of his fullness have all we received, even immortality and eternal life, through his grace.
insertion after v. 17
For the law was after a carnal commandment, to the administration of death; but the gospel was after the power of an endless life through Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father.
insertion after v. 34
These things were done in Bethabara, beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.