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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/1-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/43_Jhn_01_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 1:17 - The Word Became Flesh" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/nlt/john/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/esv/john/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/bsb/john/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/kjv/john/1.htm">King James Bible</a> For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. <a href="/nkjv/john/1.htm">New King James Version</a> For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/nasb_/john/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. <a href="/nasb/john/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. <a href="/nasb77/john/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. <a href="/lsb/john/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/amp/john/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For the Law was given through Moses, but grace [the unearned, undeserved favor of God] and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/csb/john/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/hcsb/john/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> for the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/asv/john/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/cev/john/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The Law was given by Moses, but Jesus Christ brought us undeserved kindness and truth. <a href="/erv/john/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. <a href="/gwt/john/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The Teachings were given through Moses, but kindness and truth came into existence through Jesus Christ. <a href="/gnt/john/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> God gave the Law through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/isv/john/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> because while the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus the Messiah. <a href="/msb/john/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/net/john/1.htm">NET Bible</a> For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came about through Jesus Christ. <a href="/nheb/john/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/wbt/john/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. <a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/web/john/1.htm">World English Bible</a> For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for the Law was given through Moses, the grace and the truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/ylt/john/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for the law through Moses was given, the grace and the truth through Jesus Christ did come; <a href="/slt/john/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth were by Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. <a href="/cpdv/john/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For the law was given though Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/nabre/john/1.htm">New American Bible</a> because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/nrsvce/john/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For the law was given by Moses; but truth and grace came into being by Jesus Christ. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For The Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Yeshua The Messiah.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> for the law was given through Moses, but the grace and the truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/godbey/john/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Because the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/haweis/john/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For the law was given by Moses, but the grace and the reality came by Jesus Christ. <a href="/mace/john/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> the law indeed was delivered by Moses, but grace and truth was the dispensation of Jesus Christ. <a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/worrell/john/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> because the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/worsley/john/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ: <a href="/parallel/john/1-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=113" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/1.htm">The Word Became Flesh</a> …16From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace. 17<a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">For</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomos (N-NMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">law</a> <a href="/greek/1325.htm" title="1325: edothē (V-AIP-3S) -- To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.">was given</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">through</a> <a href="/greek/3475.htm" title="3475: Mōuseōs (N-GMS) -- Or Moses, or Mouses of Hebrew origin; Moseus, Moses, or Mouses, the Hebrew lawgiver.">Moses;</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5485.htm" title="5485: charis (N-NFS) -- From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.">grace</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/225.htm" title="225: alētheia (N-NFS) -- From alethes; truth.">truth</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: egeneto (V-AIM-3S) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">came</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">through</a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsou (N-GMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/5547.htm" title="5547: Christou (N-GMS) -- Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.">Christ.</a> 18No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/5-20.htm">Romans 5:20-21</a> The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more, / so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. <a href="/galatians/3-19.htm">Galatians 3:19-25</a> Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator. / A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one. / Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law. ... <a href="/hebrews/8-6.htm">Hebrews 8:6-13</a> Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises. / For if that first covenant had been without fault, no place would have been sought for a second. / But God found fault with the people and said: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. ... <a href="/2_corinthians/3-6.htm">2 Corinthians 3:6-11</a> And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. / Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, / will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? ... <a href="/romans/6-14.htm">Romans 6:14</a> For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. <a href="/galatians/2-21.htm">Galatians 2:21</a> I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. <a href="/romans/3-24.htm">Romans 3:24</a> and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. <a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Ephesians 2:8-9</a> For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast. <a href="/titus/2-11.htm">Titus 2:11</a> For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. <a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm">Hebrews 10:1</a> For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. <a href="/galatians/5-4.htm">Galatians 5:4</a> You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. <a href="/romans/10-4.htm">Romans 10:4</a> For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes. <a href="/colossians/2-14.htm">Colossians 2:14</a> having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross! <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a> Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. <a href="/acts/13-39.htm">Acts 13:39</a> Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.the law.<a href="/john/5-45.htm">John 5:45</a> Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.<a href="/john/9-29.htm">John 9:29</a> We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.<a href="/exodus/20-1.htm">Exodus 20:1-17</a> And God spake all these words, saying, … grace.<a href="/john/8-32.htm">John 8:32</a> And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.<a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a> Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.<a href="/genesis/3-15.htm">Genesis 3:15</a> And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/24-46.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/john/1-16.htm">Grace</a> <a href="/luke/24-36.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/luke/24-44.htm">Law</a> <a href="/luke/24-44.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/luke/24-22.htm">Ours</a> <a href="/luke/1-22.htm">Realized</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-11.htm">Subsists</a> <a href="/john/1-14.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/john/1-14.htm">True.</a> <a href="/luke/24-35.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/1-20.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/acts/4-33.htm">Grace</a> <a href="/john/1-29.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/1-45.htm">Law</a> <a href="/john/1-45.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/acts/2-8.htm">Ours</a> <a href="/john/4-53.htm">Realized</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-11.htm">Subsists</a> <a href="/john/1-20.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/john/1-47.htm">True.</a> <a href="/john/1-23.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">John 1</div>1. <a href="/john/1-1.htm">The divinity, humanity, office, and incarnation of Jesus Christ.</a> 15. <a href="/john/1-15.htm">The testimony of John.</a> 39. <a href="/john/1-39.htm">The calling of Simon and Andrew, Philip and Nathanael</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>For the law was given through Moses; The law refers to the Mosaic Law, which includes the Ten Commandments and the extensive legal, moral, and ceremonial codes given to the Israelites. Moses, a central figure in the Old Testament, was chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and to receive the law on Mount Sinai. This law was foundational for the Jewish people, establishing a covenant relationship with God and setting them apart as His chosen nation. The law served as a guide for righteous living and highlighted the need for atonement and sacrifice due to human sinfulness. It also foreshadowed the coming of a greater covenant, as seen in the prophecies of a new covenant in <a href="/jeremiah/31-31.htm">Jeremiah 31:31-34</a>.grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. In contrast to the law, grace and truth are personified in Jesus Christ. Grace refers to the unmerited favor and love of God, which is fully realized in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This grace offers salvation to all who believe, transcending the limitations of the law. Truth, in this context, signifies the ultimate revelation of God's character and will, embodied in Jesus. While the law was a shadow of things to come, Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets (<a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>). His coming marks the inauguration of the new covenant, where believers are justified by faith and not by adherence to the law (<a href="/romans/3-21.htm">Romans 3:21-24</a>). Jesus' ministry exemplified both grace and truth, offering forgiveness and calling for repentance, thus providing a complete revelation of God's redemptive plan.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a> A central figure in the Old Testament, Moses is the prophet through whom God gave the Law to the Israelites. He represents the old covenant and the foundation of Jewish religious practice. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure of the New Testament, Jesus is the Son of God who embodies grace and truth. His coming marks the fulfillment and surpassing of the Law given through Moses. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_law.htm">The Law</a> Refers to the commandments and regulations given by God to the Israelites through Moses. It served as a guide for righteous living and a means to reveal human sinfulness. 4. <a href="/topical/g/grace.htm">Grace</a> In the Greek, "charis" refers to the unmerited favor and love of God towards humanity, fully expressed in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 5. <a href="/topical/t/truth.htm">Truth</a> In the Greek, "aletheia" signifies the ultimate reality and faithfulness of God, revealed in Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_fulfillment_of_the_law.htm">The Fulfillment of the Law</a> Jesus did not abolish the Law but fulfilled it, bringing a new covenant of grace and truth. Believers are called to live in the freedom and righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. <a href="/topical/g/grace_over_law.htm">Grace Over Law</a> While the Law reveals sin, grace offers redemption. Christians are encouraged to rely on God's grace for salvation and daily living, rather than attempting to earn favor through legalistic adherence. <a href="/topical/t/truth_in_christ.htm">Truth in Christ</a> Jesus embodies the truth of God, providing a reliable foundation for faith and practice. Believers are urged to seek truth in Christ and live according to His teachings. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_law_today.htm">The Role of the Law Today</a> The Law serves as a moral guide and reveals the holiness of God, but it is through grace that believers are empowered to live righteously. <a href="/topical/l/living_in_grace_and_truth.htm">Living in Grace and Truth</a> Christians are called to reflect the grace and truth of Jesus in their interactions with others, demonstrating love, forgiveness, and integrity.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 1</a> <a href="/q/why_predict_the_end_times_repeatedly.htm">What does Jesus' coming in grace and truth mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_jesus'_grace_and_truth_mean.htm">What does Jesus' coming in grace and truth mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_the_age_of_grace.htm">What defines the Age of Grace?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_god's_grace_in_justification.htm">What does God's grace mean in justifying us?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) The word "for" connects this verse by way of explanation with what has gone before. The Old Testament thought of grace and truth has been already present in <a href="/john/1-14.htm" title="And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.">John 1:14</a>. The fulness of these divine attributes has been beheld in the glory of the Word. The revelation of them, that is, the removing of the veil which hides the knowable, has been made dependent on the use of the already known. But this is the essence of Christianity as distinct from Judaism; of a spiritual religion developed from within as distinct from a formal religion imposed from without; of a religion of principles, and therefore true for all time and for all men, as distinct from a religion of works, based, indeed, on an eternal truth (the oneness and the righteousness of God) but still specially designed for a chosen people and for a period of preparation. The law was given (from without) by the human agency of Moses. The true grace and truth came into being by means of Jesus Christ. Therefore it is that we receive grace for grace, there being in Him an ever constant fulness of grace, and for the man who uses the grace thus given an ever constant realisation of deeper truth. Note that here, when the divinity and humanity have both been dwelt upon, and in contrast to the historic Moses, the name Jesus Christ first appears. Is there, too, in this union of the human and divine names a reference to the union in Him of the faculty to receive and the truth to fulfil? St. Luke speaks of Him as "increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favour (grace) with God and man" (<a href="/luke/2-52.htm" title="And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.">Luke 2:52</a>; see Note there).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 17. - The χάριν ἀντὶ χάριτος is sustained by calling attention to the contrast between the two methods of Divine communication. Because the Law was given through Moses; "Law," which in Paul's writings had been even looked at by itself as an "antithesis to grace" (<a href="/romans/4-15.htm">Romans 4:15</a>; <a href="/romans/6-14.htm">Romans 6:14</a>; <a href="/romans/7-3.htm">Romans 7:3</a>; <a href="/romans/10-4.htm">Romans 10:4</a>; <a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">Galatians 3:10</a>; <a href="/galatians/4-4.htm">Galatians 4:4</a>). The Law principle of approach to God fails through the weakness of the flesh. The will is too far enslaved for it to yield spontaneously to the majesty of the Lawgiver, or to feel the attractions of obedience. The Law condemns, - it is incapable of justifying the ungodly: the Law terrifies, - it never reconciles. The Law even provokes to sin and excites the passions which it punishes. Law was given through Moses, pointing to the historic fact of the pomp and splendour of its first delivery, associated therefore with the greatest human name in all past history. Law was a "gift," a Divine bestowment of entirely unspeakable value to those who were ignorant of the mind and will of God. Even the ministration of death was glorious. The knowledge of an ideal perfection is a great advance, even though no power should accompany the ideal to draw the soul towards it. To know what is right, even without help to do it, save in the form of sanction, or penalty appealing to the lower nature, is better and nobler than to sin in utter ignorance. The Law was given "through" the mind, voice, conscience, and will of Moses. And alongside of him may be supposed to be ranged all the mighty sages and legislators of the human race - all who have thus been the mouthpiece of the Divine idea, all who have impressed the "ought" and "ought not," the "shall" and "shall not," upon mankind. Moses is not the author of the Law, the "giving" of the Law was not by Moses, but through his instrumentality. Grace and truth, however, came - became, passed into activity in human nature - through Jesus Christ. For "grace and truth" (see notes, ver. 14), the highest manifestation and self-communication of Divine love and Divine thought, came into human experience through Jesus Christ. A vast and wonderful contrast is here made between all earlier or other dispensations and that of which the apostle proceeds to speak. Divine favour and help, the life of God himself in the soul of man, awakening love in response to the Divine love; and Divine thought so made known as to bring all the higher faculties of man into direct contact with reality, are an enormous advance upon Lawgiving. The appropriate human response to Law is obedience; the appropriate human response to love is of the same nature with itself - nothing less than love; so the only adequate response to Divine truth is faith; to Divine thought may follow human thought. All this forth streaming of grace and truth originated in the person of Jesus Christ, and became possible through him. This great Name, this blending of the human and Divine, of saving grace and Messianic dignity, of ancient expectations and recent realization, is only twice more used in the Gospel (<a href="/john/17-3.htm">John 17:3</a> and John 20:31); but it pervades it throughout, and, though not actually said to be equivalent to the Word made flesh, yet no shadow of doubt is left that this was the apostle's meaning. Here the full significance of the prologue really bursts into view to one who reads it for the first time (cf. <a href="/1_john/1-1.htm">1 John 1:1-3</a>). Difficulty may be felt by some as to the actual Capacity of Jesus Christ to reveal the Divine thought, or the truth, and so the closing verse of the prologue vindicates the claim of the Saviour of the world to be the truth (cf. <a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>). <a href="/commentaries/john/1-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>For ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Law νόμος (nomos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. was given ἐδόθη (edothē) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1325.htm">Strong's 1325: </a> To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. through διὰ (dia) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. Moses; Μωϋσέως (Mōuseōs) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3475.htm">Strong's 3475: </a> Or Moses, or Mouses of Hebrew origin; Moseus, Moses, or Mouses, the Hebrew lawgiver. grace χάρις (charis) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5485.htm">Strong's 5485: </a> From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. truth ἀλήθεια (alētheia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_225.htm">Strong's 225: </a> From alethes; truth. came ἐγένετο (egeneto) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. through διὰ (dia) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. Jesus Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. Christ. Χριστοῦ (Christou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5547.htm">Strong's 5547: </a> Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/1-17.htm">John 1:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/1-17.htm">John 1:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/1-17.htm">John 1:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/1-17.htm">John 1:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/1-17.htm">John 1:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/1-17.htm">John 1:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/1-17.htm">John 1:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/1-17.htm">John 1:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/1-17.htm">John 1:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/1-17.htm">John 1:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/1-17.htm">NT Gospels: John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/1-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 1:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 1:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/1-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 1:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 1:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>