The beginning of the Good News

A selection of verses showing how the Bible uses the word beginning to refer to the start of Jesus' ministry.

Gospel writers Mark, Luke and John all talk about the start of Jesus' life and work as the beginning:

Mark 1 verse 1

1 The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Luke 1 verses 1 - 2

1 Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled amongst us, 2 even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us,

John 6 verse 64

64  But there are some of you who don’t believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who didn’t believe, and who it was who would betray him.

Jesus himself uses the same expression:

John 8 verse 25

25 They said therefore to him, “Who are you?”
Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. 

John 15 verse 27

27  You will also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning. 
 

The apostle John implies that the beginning was when they were with Jesus in his ministry:

1 John 1 verse 1

1 That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life

The apostle John says that the beginning was when they heard the message:

1 John 2 verse 24

24 Therefore, as for you, let that remain in you which you heard from the beginning. If that which you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son, and in the Father.

1 John 3 verse 11

11 For this is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another;

2 John 1 verse 5

5 Now I beg you, dear lady, not as though I wrote to you a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

These chapters have links to this theme: