John 1:14
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
(and
G2532
καὶ
(and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγος
the Word
G3056
λόγος
the Word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
3 of 23
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
σὰρξ
flesh
G4561
σὰρξ
flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
4 of 23
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
ἐγένετο
was made
G1096
ἐγένετο
was made
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
5 of 23
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
καὶ
(and
G2532
καὶ
(and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐσκήνωσεν
dwelt
G4637
ἐσκήνωσεν
dwelt
Strong's:
G4637
Word #:
7 of 23
to tent or encamp, i.e., (figuratively) to occupy (as a mansion) or (specially), to reside (as god did in the tabernacle of old, a symbol of protectio
καὶ
(and
G2532
καὶ
(and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐθεασάμεθα
we beheld
G2300
ἐθεασάμεθα
we beheld
Strong's:
G2300
Word #:
11 of 23
to look closely at, i.e., (by implication) perceive (literally or figuratively); by extension to visit
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δόξαν
glory
G1391
δόξαν
glory
Strong's:
G1391
Word #:
13 of 23
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
δόξαν
glory
G1391
δόξαν
glory
Strong's:
G1391
Word #:
15 of 23
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
16 of 23
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
παρὰ
of
G3844
παρὰ
of
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
18 of 23
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
πατρός
the Father
G3962
πατρός
the Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
19 of 23
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
χάριτος
of grace
G5485
χάριτος
of grace
Strong's:
G5485
Word #:
21 of 23
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
Cross References
1 John 4:9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.1 Timothy 3:16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.Isaiah 40:5And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.Galatians 4:4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,Hebrews 1:3Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;John 6:51I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.Colossians 1:19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;Romans 8:3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:1 Corinthians 15:47The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
Historical Context
Written circa 90-100 AD, John's Gospel addresses both Jewish readers familiar with Wisdom Literature (where Logos appears as divine agent in creation) and Hellenistic audiences influenced by Stoic philosophy (which conceived Logos as cosmic principle). The prologue's assertion that the Logos became flesh confronted Greek dualism that considered matter inferior to spirit. For Jewish readers, the claim that God 'tabernacled' among them recalled the wilderness wanderings and Solomon's Temple - but now God's presence inhabits human flesh rather than architectural space. This verse established Christian orthodoxy against early heresies like Docetism, which denied Christ's true humanity. The testimony 'we beheld his glory' reflects eyewitness apostolic tradition, grounding theology in historical reality.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Incarnation resolve the philosophical problem of the infinite God becoming knowable to finite humans?
- What is significant about John choosing sarx (flesh) rather than soma (body) or anthropos (man) to describe the Incarnation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse represents the theological apex of the Incarnation: the eternal Logos (Word) became sarx (flesh). The Greek word logos encompasses reason, divine expression, and creative power, while sarx emphasizes the full humanity assumed - not merely appearance but actual embodiment. The phrase 'dwelt among us' uses eskenosen, literally 'tabernacled,' evoking the Old Testament Tabernacle where God's glory dwelt. John declares that the disciples beheld His glory - doxa, the manifest presence of God. The description 'full of grace and truth' (charis kai aletheia) echoes Exodus 34:6, where God reveals Himself as abundant in chesed and emet (covenant love and faithfulness). The Incarnation bridges the infinite-finite gap: God becomes accessible without ceasing to be God.