Gospel of John –Lesson 3
By Joyce Webb 2025
John Chp. 1 Vs.15-28
Verse 15 John (the Baptist) was a witness of Jesus.
John preached and said about Jesus—”He that cometh after me is preferred (desired, wanted, honored) before me—-for He was before me.”
This statement would have surprised some people who knew John as a child. John was born before Jesus.
John was Jesus’ cousin. (Read Luke Chp.1)
How could Jesus have been before John?
Read Colossians 1:17
And go back to John Chp. 1 vs. 1,2
What was John telling the people about Jesus? ____________________________________________________
(That Jesus could have existed before John was born—and yet Jesus’ birthday was after John. What do you suppose the people listening thought about that?)
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The Jewish people knew all about the 10 Commandments and all many other laws—-and about animal offerings at the temple.
There were so many laws to keep.
Then years later—the Jewish church leaders added more laws and rules. The people were overwhelmed with laws.
In Verse 17 John said–”The law was given by Moses—but
g________________ and t__________________ came by
Jesus Christ.
John is telling the people that “religion” and their way of believing and being burdened with so many laws—-is going to change.
Jesus has come—it will be a time of g_______________ and t____________________.
Grace—mercy, forgiveness.
Not that the people did not need to obey God’s laws—-but that there would be forgiveness and mercy for those who broke the law.
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Verse 18 No man has seen ________________ at any time;
Look at Exodus 13:20 What does it say? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Exodus 33: 11-23 God talked to Moses face to face as a man would talk to another man.
But no one—not even Moses—saw God’s face.
God did allow Moses to see what part of him? _______________
_____________________________________________)
Look at Revelation 22: 3, 4 What does it say?________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(In the Old Testament times—no one could see his face.
But heaven it will be different.)
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Vs. John said Jesus was the only b___________________ Son,
(begotten means —to be the father of, —–or to be the cause of something)
The only begotten _____________,
which is in the bosom of the ____________________ ,
—-this begotten Son—-who is in the bosom (heart-chest–arms–) of the Father—-he (Jesus) will declared (speak) of Him to us.
Jesus will speak of the Father–
Jesus will act as the Father acts—
Jesus will be an exact “picture” of the Father—for people to see what the Father is.
(For most the years from Old Testament times—people thought of the Father God in heaven as powerful, strict, stern, quick to punish,
—-now with Jesus—they will see another side to the Father God.)
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Verse 19 The Jewish leaders sent some priests
and Levites (a lesser rank of Jewish helpers in the temple)
from Jerusalem to talk to John.
They asked John: Who art thou? (Who are you?)
Verse 20 John said, “ I am not the __________________.”
Verse 21 They asked him, Who then? Are you Elias–meaning Elijah.
John said, ________________________________
See Malachi 4:5 What does the prophet, Malachi say will happen in the future? _________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Then—they asked if he was “that prophet”
and John said, __________
What “prophet” is this speaking of? ____________________
Acts 3:22 —-also, Deuteronomy 18:15
Verse 22 They said, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us.”
Verse 23 John answered: “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness—”Make straight the way of the Lord, as the prophet Esaias (Isaiah)said.” See Isaiah 40:3
(John was preparing the people that Jesus was coming. Jesus was already around,—- but he had not make himself known publicly.
Do you know when Jesus first made himself known publicly?
He did his first miracle. Do you remember what his first miracle was?)
Verse 25 The Jewish leaders asked John the Baptist—Why do you baptize?
If you are not Christ, and not Elijah, nor that prophet—why do you baptize people?
Verse 26 John said: “I baptize with ______________, but there is one who stands among you whom you do not know.”
Verse 27 He it is, who is coming after me, is preferred before me,
Whose shoe’s latchet (fasteners) I am not worthy to _______________________.
Verse 28 These things were done in Bethabara (which is beyond Jordon) where John was baptizing.
Questions Gospel of John –Lesson 3
By Joyce Webb 2025
John Chp. 1 Vs.15-28
1. What did John mean when he said, “The One coming is preferred before me—-for (because) he was before me.” ___________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. How were John and Jesus related? ___________________________
3. Has anyone ever seen God the Father—face to face? ______________
What does Revelation say about that?—-That some day we will see
_______________________________.
4. How was John like Elijah? _______________________________
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