Timeline of Events in John 1:1-51

Before Time:

• The Word exists with God and is God.
• All things are made through the Word.

Unclear Timeframe (Prior to the events of the passage):

• John the Baptist is sent by God.

Day 1:

• Jewish priests and Levites question John the Baptist's identity.
• John identifies himself as a voice preparing the way for the Lord.
• John baptizes people in the Jordan River, including Jesus.
• John identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
• John testifies that he saw the Spirit descend on Jesus like a dove, confirming him as the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.

Day 2:

• John the Baptist points out Jesus as the Lamb of God to two of his disciples, Andrew and an unnamed disciple.
• Andrew and the other disciple follow Jesus.
• Jesus invites them to "come and see" where he is staying.
• Andrew finds his brother Simon Peter and brings him to Jesus.
• Jesus renames Simon as Cephas (Peter).

Day 3:

• Jesus decides to go to Galilee.
• Jesus finds Philip and calls him to follow him.
• Philip finds Nathanael and tells him they have found the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth.
• Nathanael is skeptical but agrees to come and see Jesus.
• Jesus declares Nathanael to be a true Israelite with no deceit.
• Nathanael, amazed by Jesus' knowledge, proclaims him as the Son of God and King of Israel.
• Jesus promises Nathanael that he will see even greater things, including heaven opened and angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man.

Cast of Characters:

1. The Word (Jesus Christ):

• Pre-existent with God and is God.
• Creator of all things.
• The light of men.
• Comes into the world as flesh (Jesus).
• Full of grace and truth.
• The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
• The one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
• The Messiah/Christ.
• The Son of God.
• The King of Israel.
• The Son of Man.

2. John the Baptist:

• A man sent from God.
• A witness to the light (Jesus).
• Baptizes people in the Jordan River.
• Identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God and the Messiah.

3. Andrew:

• A disciple of John the Baptist.
• Follows Jesus after John points him out.
• Brings his brother Simon Peter to Jesus.

4. Simon Peter:

• Andrew's brother.
• Brought to Jesus by Andrew.
• Renamed Cephas (Peter) by Jesus.

5. Philip:

• Called by Jesus to follow him.
• From Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
• Finds Nathanael and convinces him to meet Jesus.

6. Nathanael:

• Initially skeptical about Jesus.
• Impressed by Jesus' knowledge of him.
• Proclaims Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel.

7. Priests and Levites:

• Sent by the Jews to question John the Baptist.

8. Pharisees:

• A Jewish religious group who sent representatives to question John the Baptist.

9. Unnamed Disciple:

• Present with Andrew when John the Baptist points out Jesus.
• Follows Jesus with Andrew.