The preface of the Evangelist, commending Christ (as being God the Son incarnate) to the Gentiles, and setting out the blindness of the Jews in not receiving him. 19 Then, the testimonies of John Baptist, first to the solemn legacy of the Jews: 29 secondly, when he saw JESUS come to him: 35 thirdly, to his own Disciples also, putting them over from himself to JESUS. Who made it plainer to them that he is Christ, 40 and so began he also to have Disciples.The preface of the Euangelist, commending Christ (as being God the Sonne incarnate) to the Gentils, and setting out the blindnes of the Iewes in not receiuing him. 19 Then, the testimonies of Iohn Baptist, first to the solemne legacie of the Iewes: 29 secondly, when he saw IESVS come to him: 35 thirdly, to his owne Disciples also, putting them ouer from him self to IESVS. Who made it plainer to them that he is Christ, 40 and so began he also to haue Disciples.
The first part of this Gospel: the Acts of Christ before his solemn manifestation, while John Baptist was yet baptizing.The first part: THE ACTES of Christ before his manifestation, whiles Iohn Baptist was yet baptizing.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word.IN THE beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with God, and God was the WORD.In principio erat Verbum, et Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Verbum.
2This was in the beginning with God.This was in the beginning with God.Hoc erat in principio apud Deum.
3All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing. That which was made,Al things were made by him: and without him was made nothing. That which was made,Omnia per ipsum facta sunt : et sine ipso factum est nihil, quod factum est.
4in him was life, and the life was the light of men:in him was life, and the life was the light of men:In ipso vita erat, et vita erat lux hominum :
5and the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.and the light shineth in darkenesse, and the darkenesse did not comprehend it.et lux in tenebris lucet, et tenebræ eam non comprehenderunt.
6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.There was a man sent from God, whose name was Iohn.Fuit homo missus a Deo, cui nomen erat Joannes.
7This man came for testimony: to give testimony of the light, that all might believe through him.This man came for testimonie: to giue testimonie of the light, that al might beleeue through him.Hic venit in testimonium ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine, ut omnes crederent per illum.
8He was not the light, but to give testimony of the light.He was not the light, but to giue testimonie of the light.Non erat ille lux, sed ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine.
9It was the true light, which lighteneth every man that cometh into this world.It was the true light, which lighteneth euery man that commeth into this world.Erat lux vera, quæ illuminat omnem hominem venientem in hunc mundum.
10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.In mundo erat, et mundus per ipsum factus est, et mundus eum non cognovit.
11He came into his own, and his own received him not.He came into his owne, and his owne receiued him not.In propria venit, et sui eum non receperunt.
12But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of God, to those that believe in his name.But as many as receiued him, he gaue them power to be made the sonnes of God, to those that beleeue in his name.Quotquot autem receperunt eum, dedit eis potestatem filios Dei fieri, his qui credunt in nomine ejus :
13Who, not of blood, not of the will of flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God are borne.Who, not of bloud, not of the wil of flesh, nor of the wil of man, but of God are borne.qui non ex sanguinibus, neque ex voluntate carnis, neque ex voluntate viri, sed ex Deo nati sunt.
14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt in us (and we saw the glory of him, glory as it were of the only-begotten of the Father) full of grace and veritatis: truth.AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH, and dwelt in vs (and we saw the glorie of him, glorie as it were of the only-begotten of the Father) ful of grace and veritie.Et Verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis : et vidimus gloriam ejus, gloriam quasi unigeniti a Patre plenum gratiæ et veritatis.
15John giveth testimony of him, and crieth saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that shall come after me, is made before me: because he was before me.Iohn giueth testimonie of him, and crieth saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that shal come after me, is made before me: because he was before me.Joannes testimonium perhibet de ipso, et clamat dicens : Hic erat quem dixi : Qui post me venturus est, ante me factus est : quia prior me erat.
16And of his fullness all we have received, and grace for grace.And of his fulnes al we haue receiued, and grace for grace.Et de plenitudine ejus nos omnes accepimus, et gratiam pro gratia :
17For the law was given by Moyses, grace and verity was made by JESUS Christ.For the law was giuen by Moyses, grace and veritie was made by IESVS Christ.quia lex per Moysen data est, gratia et veritas per Jesum Christum facta est.
18God no man hath seen at any time: the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the father, he hath declared.God no man hath seen at any time: the only begotten Sonne which is in the bosome of the father, he hath declared.Deum nemo vidit umquam : unigenitus Filius, qui est in sinu Patris, ipse enarravit.
19And this is John's testimony, when the Jews sent from Jerusalem Priests and Levites to him, that they should ask him, Who art thou?And this is Iohns testimonie, when the Iewes sent from Hierusalem Priests and Leuites to him, that they should aske him, Who art thou?Et hoc est testimonium Joannis, quando miserunt Judæi ab Jerosolymis sacerdotes et Levitas ad eum ut interrogarent eum : Tu quis es ?
20And he confessus est: openly acknowledged, declared, and did not deny: and he confessed, That I am not CHRIST.And he confessed, and did not denie: and he confessed, That I am not CHRIST.Et confessus est, et non negavit, et confessus est : Quia non sum ego Christus.
21And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he said, I am not. Art thou the Prophet? And he answered, No.And they asked him, What then? Art thou * Elias? And he said, I am not. Art thou * the Prophet? And he answered, No.Et interrogaverunt eum : Quid ergo ? Elias es tu ? Et dixit : Non sum. Propheta es tu ? Et respondit : Non.
22They said therefore unto him, Who art thou, that we may give an answer to them that sent us? what sayest thou of thyself?They said therefore vnto him, Who art thou, that we may giue an answer to them that sent vs? what saiest thou of thy self?Dixerunt ergo ei : Quis es ut responsum demus his qui miserunt nos ? quid dicis de teipso ?
23He said, I am the voice of one crying in the deserto: a wild uninhabited region, not specifically an arid sandy one, make straight the way of our Lord, as Isaias the Prophet said.He said, I am the voyce of one crying in the desert, make straight the way of our Lord, as Esaie the Prophet said.Ait : Ego vox clamantis in deserto : Dirigite viam Domini, sicut dixit Isaias propheta.
24And they that were sent, were of the Pharisees.And they that were sent, were of the Pharisees.Et qui missi fuerant, erant ex pharisæis.
25And they asked him, and said to him, Why then dost thou baptize, if thou be not Christ, nor Elias, nor the Prophet?And they asked him, and said to him, Why then doest thou baptize, if thou be not Christ, nor Elias, nor the Prophet?Et interrogaverunt eum, et dixerunt ei : Quid ergo baptizas, si tu non es Christus, neque Elias, neque propheta ?
26John answered them, saying, I baptize in water: but there hath stood in the midst of you whom you know not.Iohn answered them, saying, * I baptize in water: but there hath stood in the middes of you whom you know not.Respondit eis Joannes, dicens : Ego baptizo in aqua : medius autem vestrum stetit, quem vos nescitis.
27The same is he that shall come after me, that is made before me: whose corrigiam: the thong or strap that fastens a sandal, not a latch of his shoe I am not worthy to unloose.The same is he that shal come after me, that is made before me: whose latchet of his shoe I am not worthie to vnloose.Ipse est qui post me venturus est, qui ante me factus est : cujus ego non sum dignus ut solvam ejus corrigiam calceamenti.
28These things were done in Bethania beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.These things were done in Bethania beyond Iordan, where Iohn was baptizing.Hæc in Bethania facta sunt trans Jordanem, ubi erat Joannes baptizans.
29The next day John saw JESUS coming to him, and he saith, Behold the lamb of God, behold him that taketh away the sin of the world.The next day Iohn saw IESVS cōming to him, and he saith, Behold the lambe of God, behold him that taketh away the sinne of the world.Altera die vidit Joannes Jesum venientem ad se, et ait : Ecce agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit peccatum mundi.
30This is he of whom I said, After me there cometh a man, which is made before me: because he was before me.This is he of whom I said, After me there commeth a man, which is made before me: because he was before me.Hic est de quo dixi : Post me venit vir qui ante me factus est : quia prior me erat :
31And I knew him not, but that he may be manifested in Israel, therefore came I baptizing in water.And I knew him not, but that he may be manifested in Israel, therefore came I baptizing in water.et ego nesciebam eum, sed ut manifestetur in Israël, propterea veni ego in aqua baptizans.
32And John gave testimony, saying, That I saw the Spirit descending as a dove from heaven, and he remained upon him.And Iohn gaue testimonie, saying, That I saw the Spirit descending as a doue from heauen, and he remained vpon him.Et testimonium perhibuit Joannes, dicens : Quia vidi Spiritum descendentem quasi columbam de cælo, et mansit super eum.
33And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize in water, he said to me, He upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining upon him, he it is that baptizeth in the holy Ghost.And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize in water, he said to me, He vpō whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining vpon him, he it is that baptizeth in the holy Ghost.Et ego nesciebam eum : sed qui misit me baptizare in aqua, ille mihi dixit : Super quem videris Spiritum descendentem, et manentem super eum, hic est qui baptizat in Spiritu Sancto.
34And I saw: and I gave testimony that this is the son of God.And I saw: and I gaue testimonie that this is the sonne of God.Et ego vidi : et testimonium perhibui quia hic est Filius Dei.
35The next day again John stood, and two of his disciples.The next day againe Iohn stoode, and two of his disciples.Altera die iterum stabat Joannes, et ex discipulis ejus duo.
36And beholding JESUS walking, he saith, Behold the lamb of God.And beholding IESVS walking, he saith, Behold the lambe of God.Et respiciens Jesum ambulantem, dicit : Ecce agnus Dei.
37And the two Disciples heard him speaking, and they followed JESUS.And the two Disciples heard him speaking, and they folowed IESVS.Et audierunt eum duo discipuli loquentem, et secuti sunt Jesum.
38And JESUS turning, and seeing them following him, saith to them, What seek you? Who said to him, Rabbi (which is called by interpretation, Master) where dwellest thou?And IESVS turning, and seeing them folowing him, saith to them, What seeke you? Who said to him, Rabbi (which is called by interpretation, Maister) where dwellest thou?Conversus autem Jesus, et videns eos sequentes se, dicit eis : Quid quæritis ? Qui dixerunt ei : Rabbi (quod dicitur interpretatum Magister), ubi habitas ?
39He saith to them, Come and see. They came, and saw where he maneret: was dwelling, was staying (a verb, not a dwelling-place) and they manserunt: stayed, remained, lingered with him that day: and it was about the tenth hour.He saith to them, Come and see. They came, and saw where he abode and they taried with him that day: and it was about the tenth houre.Dicit eis : Venite et videte. Venerunt, et viderunt ubi maneret, et apud eum manserunt die illo : hora autem erat quasi decima.
40And Andrew the brother of Simon Peter was one of the two that had heard of John, and followed him.And Andrew the brother of Simon Peter was one of the two that had heard of Iohn, and folowed him.Erat autem Andreas, frater Simonis Petri, unus ex duobus qui audierant a Joanne, et secuti fuerant eum.
41He findeth first his brother Simon, and saith to him, We have found MESSIAS, which is being interpreted, CHRIST.He findeth first his brother Simon, and saith to him, We haue found MESSIAS, which is being interpreted, CHRIST.Invenit hic primum fratrem suum Simonem, et dicit ei : Invenimus Messiam (quod est interpretatum Christus).
42And he brought him to JESUS. And JESUS looking upon him, said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is interpreted, Peter.And he brought him to IESVS. And IESVS looking vpon him, said, Thou art Simon the sonne of Iona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is interpreted, Peter.Et adduxit eum ad Jesum. Intuitus autem eum Jesus, dixit : Tu es Simon, filius Jona ; tu vocaberis Cephas, quod interpretatur Petrus.
43On the morrow he would go forth into Galilee, and he findeth Philip. And JESUS saith to him, Follow me.On the morow he would goe forth into Galilee, and he findeth Philippe. And IESVS saith to him, Folow me.In crastinum voluit exire in Galilæam, et invenit Philippum. Et dicit ei Jesus : Sequere me.
44And Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.And Philippe was of Bethsaida, the citie of Andrew and Peter.Erat autem Philippus a Bethsaida, civitate Andreæ et Petri.
45Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith to him, Him whom Moyses in the law, and the Prophets wrote of: we have found JESUS the son of Joseph, of Nazareth.Philippe findeth Nathanael, and saith to him, Him whom Moyses in the law, and the Prophets wrote of: we haue found IESVS the sonne of Ioseph, of Nazareth.Invenit Philippus Nathanaël, et dicit ei : Quem scripsit Moyses in lege, et prophetæ, invenimus Jesum filium Joseph a Nazareth.
46And Nathanael said to him, From Nazareth can there be any good? Philip saith to him, Come and see.And Nathanael said to him, From Nazareth can there be any good? Philippe saith to him, Come and see.Et dixit ei Nathanaël : A Nazareth potest aliquid boni esse ? Dicit ei Philippus : Veni et vide.
47Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and he saith of him, Behold an Israelite in very deed, in whom there is no guile.IESVS saw Nathanael comming to him, and he saith of him, Behold an Israelite in very deede, in whom there is no guile.Vidit Jesus Nathanaël venientem ad se, et dicit de eo : Ecce vere Israëlita, in quo dolus non est.
48Nathanael saith to him, How knowest thou me? JESUS answered and said to him, Before that Philip did call thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.Nathanael saith to him, How knowest thou me? IESVS answered and said to him, Before that Philippe did cal thee, when thou wast vnder the figtree, I saw thee.Dicit ei Nathanaël : Unde me nosti ? Respondit Jesus, et dixit ei : Priusquam te Philippus vocaret, cum esses sub ficu, vidi te.
49Nathanael answered him, and saith, Rabbi, thou art the son of God, thou art the king of Israel.Nathanael answered him, and saith, Rabbi, thou art the sonne of God, thou art the king of Israel.Respondit ei Nathanaël, et ait : Rabbi, tu es Filius Dei, tu es rex Israël.
50Jesus answered, and said to him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, thou believest: greater then these things shalt thou see.IESVS answered, and said to him, Because I said vnto thee, I saw thee vnder the figtree, thou beleeuest: greater then these things shalt thou see.Respondit Jesus, et dixit ei : Quia dixi tibi : Vidi te sub ficu, credis ; majus his videbis.
51And he saith to him, Amen Amen I say to you, You shall see the heaven opened, and the Angels of God ascending and descending, upon the Son of man.And he saith to him, Amen Amen I say to you, You shal see the heauen opened, and the * Angels of God ascending and descending, vpon the Sonne of man.Et dicit ei : Amen, amen dico vobis, videbitis cælum apertum, et angelos Dei ascendentes, et descendentes supra Filium hominis.
Annotations
1Was the word. The second Person in Trinity which is the natural, only, and eternal Son of God the Father, is called the WORD: not as the holy Scriptures or speeches of the Prophets and Apostles (written and spoken by Gods commandment for the uttering of his divine will towards man) be called his word, but in a more divine, eminent, and ineffable sort, to express unto us in a sort, by a term agreeable to our capacity, that the Son of God so is, and so from everlasting is borne of God the Father, as our prime concept (which is our internal and mental word) is and issueth out of our intelligence & mind. This WORD then, Son, or second Person in the holy Trinity, was and had his being then already, when other creatures (of what sort so ever) had but their beginning, and therefore can not be a creature, as many Heretics before the writing of this Gospel thought, and as the Arians after taught. And this first sentence of the Gospel not only the faithful, but the Platonists did so admire (as S. Augustine writeth) that they wished it to be written in gold.
1With God. Because a man might say, If the WORD were before any thing was created, where or how could he be? the Evangelist preventing that carnal concept, saith first, that he was with God, whose being dependeth not upon time, place, space, or any other creatures, all which were made by him. secondly, he giveth us to understand, that the WORD hath his proper subsistence or personality distinct from God the Father, whereby Sabellius the old Heretic is refuted, thirdly, here is insinuated the order of these two persons, one towards the other, to wit, that the Son is with and of the Father, and not the Father of the Son. Fourthly, you may confute here the blasphemy of Calvin, holding the second Person to be God, not as of God the Father, but as of himself. And yet such are the books that our youth now read commonly in England, and that by commandment.
1God was the Word. Lest any man upon the premises, which set forth the relation and distinction of the second Person from the first, might think that the Father only were God, the Evangelist expressly teacheth, the WORD to be God. for though the words seem to lie otherwise (because we have of purpose so owed the elegancy which the Evangelist himself observed in placing them so, and therefore they stand so both in Greek and Latin) yet in deed the construction is thus, The WORD was God, and (as in his first Epistle the same Apostle writeth) true God: lest any might say (as the Arians did) that he was God in deed, but not truly and naturally, but by common adoption or calling, as good men in the Church be called the sons of God. What wonderful wrangling and tergiversation the Arians used to avoid the evidence of this place, we see in S. Augustine li. 3 de Doct. Christ. c. 2. even such as the Protestants do, to avoid the like words, This is my body, concerning the B. Sacrament.
3By him. Again, by this he signifieth the eternity, divinity, omnipotency, and equality of the WORD or Son, with God the Father, because by him all things were created. all things he saith, both visible of this world: and invisible, as Angels and all spiritual creatures. Whereupon it is evident also, that himself is no creature, being the creator of all: neither is sin of his creation, being a defect of a thing, rather then a thing itself, and therefore neither of nor by him.
14The Word made flesh. This is the high and divine testimony of Christs incarnation and that he vouchsafed to become man, for the acknowledging of which inexplicable benefit and giving humble thanks for the same, all Christian people in the world by tradition of the Fathers prostrate themselves or kneel down, when they hear it sung or said at the holy Mass, either in this Gospel: or in the Creed by these words, ET HOMO FACTVS EST.
42Looking upon him. This beholding of Simon, insinuateth Christs designation and preferring of him to be the chief Apostle, the Rock of the Church, and his Vicar. and therefore upon that Divine providence and intention he accordingly changeth his name, calling him for Simon, Cephas, which is a Syriac word, as much to say as, Rock or Stone. And S. Paul commonly calleth him by this name Cephas, whereas other both Greekes and Latins call him altogether by the Greek word, Peter, which signifieth the self same thing. whereof S. Cyril saith, that our Saviour by foretelling that his name should no more now be Simon, but Peter, did by the word itself aptly signify, that on him, as on a rock and stone most firm, he would build his Church.