For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

JOHN 1:17KJV
Know the Bible

John 1:17 (KJV)

What does John 1:17 mean?

John 1:17 contrasts the giving of the law through Moses with the arrival of grace and truth through Jesus Christ. The verse highlights that while Moses was the channel for God's law, Jesus is the one who brings a new experience of God's kindness and reality.

John the Evangelist is writing to early Christian readers, explaining the difference between what God provided through Moses and what comes through Jesus. The verse sits in a section where John is introducing Jesus as the Word made flesh, showing that Jesus offers something deeper and more complete than what was given before.

The Greek behind John 1:17

  • νόμος (nomos, "law"): This word refers to the commandments and instructions given to Israel through Moses. Here, it points to the structured way God related to people before Jesus.
  • χάρις (charis, "grace"): This word means favor, kindness, or a gift that is not earned. John uses it to show what Jesus brings that is different from the law.
  • ἀλήθεια (alētheia, "truth"): This word means reality or what is genuine. The verse pairs it with grace to show that Jesus brings both God's kindness and the full reality of who God is.
  • ἐγένετο (egeneto, "came"): This verb means "became" or "came into being." It stresses that grace and truth are not just ideas but have arrived in a new way through Jesus.

Why John 1:17 matters

  • John 1:17 clears up the idea that Jesus simply continued what Moses started; instead, it shows a shift from law to something new—grace and truth.
  • The verse emphasizes that Jesus is not just another teacher or prophet like Moses but the unique source of God's favor and reality.
  • In the wider passage, this verse helps set up the theme that Jesus reveals God in a way the law could not, preparing the reader for the rest of John's Gospel.

Where else these words appear

“Moses” Greek G3475 · used in 79 verses

  • Matthew 8:4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
  • John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
  • Acts 21:21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

“truth” Greek G225 · used in 99 verses

  • Matthew 22:16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
  • Romans 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
  • 1 Timothy 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

“grace” Greek G5485 · used in 147 verses

  • Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
  • 1 Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
  • Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.