John 1:1 — "The Word Was God"

Messianic Judaism affirms that John 1:1 identifies Yeshua (Jesus) with the Word of God (dabar YHWH) in a manner consistent with Jewish theology. The phrase 'the Word was God' is read in the context of Jewish Logos theology, where the Word is God's self-expression and agent in creation (as in Jewish philosophy and rabbinic tradition).

However, Messianic Jews emphasize the Jewish philosophical roots of this concept and resist reading it solely through Greek philosophical categories. The identification affirms Yeshua's divine agency and role as Messiah while maintaining continuity with Jewish theological categories. This positions Yeshua as the fulfillment of Israel's hopes and God's covenantal purpose.