¹Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, ²even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us, ³it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus; ^{a  4}that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.

¹In the beginning was the Word, ^b and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²The same was in the beginning with God. ³All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made. ⁴In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome[1] it. ⁶There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him. ⁸He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light. ⁹The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.

¹⁰He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him. ¹¹He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him. ¹²But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name: ¹³who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ¹⁴The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.

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[1]1:5 The word translated “overcome” (katelaben) can also be translated “comprehended.” It refers to getting a grip on an enemy to defeat him.

a) Otherwise unknown. To him also the Acts are dedicated. Probably he met the expense of research and production.

b) Jesus is presented as the Logos, the personified Word of God. Except in the prolog the Evangelist John makes no further use of this designation for Christ. However, for the use of the term see I John 1:1 and Rev. 19:13.