Chiasmus / Literary Structure
The Chiastic Structure of John 1:1-18
John 1:1-18 (The Prologue of John) is arranged as a chiasm— an ancient mirror pattern (A-B-C-B′-A′) in which ideas repeat in reverse order around a central pivot. The structure turns on its center: “TO ALL WHO RECEIVED HIM HE GAVE THE RIGHT TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD -- BORN OF GOD”. The majestic prologue to the Fourth Gospel is structured as an elaborate chiasm centering on the incarnation of the Word.
The Mirror Pattern
- A
The Word was in the beginning with God
John 1:1-2
- B
All things were made through him; in him was life
John 1:3-5
- C
John came as a witness to the light
John 1:6-8
- D
The true light was coming into the world; the world did not know him
John 1:9-11
- X
TO ALL WHO RECEIVED HIM HE GAVE THE RIGHT TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD -- BORN OF GOD
John 1:12-13
Central pivot — the emphasized point
- D'
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth
John 1:14
- C'
John bore witness: 'He who comes after me ranks before me'
John 1:15
- B'
From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace
John 1:16
- A'
The only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known
John 1:17-18
Indentation shows the nesting toward the central pivot and back out — the hallmark of a chiasm.
Why the Structure Matters
In a chiasm, the author’s main point is placed at the center rather than the end. Reading John 1:1-18 as a mirror pattern draws the eye to its pivot — “TO ALL WHO RECEIVED HIM HE GAVE THE RIGHT TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD -- BORN OF GOD” — as the key the passage turns on. Recognizing the structure changes how the passage is read and preached.