What does John 1:1 mean?

The first verse of John establishes several important facts, and introduces an important term. Jesus is referred to as "The Word," from the Greek word logos. Christ is the Logos, the definition, the meaning, the "Word" of God. This is the first of John's seven names for Jesus: "The Word." The rest of the gospel is John's attempt to prove this through various forms of evidence, in particular Jesus' miracles. The first eighteen verses of John counter many false beliefs about God. Verse 1 establishes that the universe had a beginning, contrary to the idea that it is eternal. It also states that God has existed (at least) from that beginning. Later verses will show that God, in fact, created all that exists. This verse also makes it very clear that this Logos, Jesus, is identical to the Creator: the Word was God. This begins to establish the concept of the Trinity, where God is one being in three distinct persons.