John 1:11 kjv

He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

John 1:11 nkjv

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

John 1:11 niv

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

John 1:11 esv

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

John 1:11 nlt

He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.

John 1 verses

John 1 11 Meaning

John 1:11 states that Jesus, the eternal Word and Creator of all, purposefully came into His own world, His created realm. More specifically, He came to His own chosen people, Israel, to whom the promises and prophecies of the Messiah belonged. Yet, tragically, this very people, entrusted with divine revelation, did not recognize, accept, or welcome Him as their long-awaited Lord and Savior.

John 1 11 Context

John 1:11 is nestled within the profound prologue of John's Gospel (John 1:1-18), which establishes foundational theological truths about Jesus. This section introduces "the Word" (Logos) as divine, pre-existent, the agent of creation, and the source of life and light. Verses 1:1-5 describe the Word's eternal nature with God. Verses 1:6-9 introduce John the Baptist as a witness to the Light. Verse 1:10 broadens the scope, stating the Word was "in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him." John 1:11 then sharpens this tragic truth by focusing specifically on the Word's rejection by His own chosen people, paving the way for the radical inclusiveness of salvation through belief, as articulated in John 1:12-13. Historically, Jesus' ministry took place among the Jewish people, the covenant nation to whom the Messiah was promised. Despite numerous miracles, teachings, and fulfilling prophecy, the dominant religious and political establishment, along with a significant portion of the population, failed to accept His divine claims, ultimately leading to His crucifixion.

John 1 11 Word analysis

• He: Refers to "the Word" (ὁ Λόγος, ho Logos) introduced in John 1:1. This designates Jesus Christ, emphasizing His divine pre-existence, deity, and active role in creation. It highlights the staggering condescension of the divine coming into human form.
• came: (ἔρχομαι, erchomai) Implies a purposeful, active arrival, not an accidental appearance. It refers to the Incarnation, the moment the eternal Word assumed human flesh (John 1:14). It signifies His deliberate mission to enter the realm He had created.
• to His own (things/realm): (εἰς τὰ ἴδια, eis ta idia) This phrase denotes His own possessions, home, or created sphere. It refers to the world, His creation, which rightfully belonged to Him as its Creator and Sustainer. There is a sense of rightful ownership and destination.
• and: (καί, kai) A conjunction that connects two statements, setting up a sharp and lamentable contrast between the coming of the Word and the response of His people.
• those who were His own (people): (οἱ ἴδιοι, hoi idioi) This phrase, distinct from the previous one, specifically refers to His own people or kinsfolk. Contextually, this unequivocally points to the Jewish nation, God's chosen people, to whom the covenants, Law, and prophetic promises of the Messiah were given.
• did not receive Him: (οὐ παρέλαβον, ou parelabon) This is a strong negation. "Parelabon" means to take alongside, to welcome, to accept, to acknowledge, or to embrace someone fully. The negative implies an active refusal, a failure to welcome or recognize Him, stemming from spiritual blindness, unbelief, and often, hostility. This rejection was profound, complete, and despite ample evidence.

John 1 11 Bonus section

The irony inherent in John 1:11 is profound: The one who designed, created, and sustains the universe and uniquely chose a people, was ultimately rejected by them. This highlights not a deficiency in the light (Jesus), but a spiritual darkness and unwillingness to see among "His own." This tragic reality, a theme woven throughout both the Old Testament (e.g., Israel's idolatry and disobedience) and the New Testament (the apostles' consistent challenge to Jewish leaders), serves as a necessary backdrop for understanding the radical nature of salvation through grace for all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike. It emphasizes that salvation is not a birthright or ethnic privilege, but a gift freely given to "those who received Him," as further detailed in the subsequent verse.

John 1 11 Commentary

John 1:11 paints a poignant and deeply theological picture of divine love meeting human rejection. It is the heart of John's narrative tragedy before the gospel message fully unfolds. The verse underscores the paradox of the Creator being unrecognized and unwelcomed by His own. The two uses of "His own" are critical: the first referring to the world (His property), and the second to Israel (His people). The tragedy is amplified because the very nation tasked with being a light to the world and custodian of God's revelation failed to embrace the Light Himself. This rejection, however, serves a greater redemptive purpose, as it opens the door for a new covenant of grace based on individual faith, moving beyond ethnic or national distinctions (foreshadowing John 1:12-13). It highlights human spiritual blindness and rebellion, despite the most undeniable evidence of God's presence among them in Jesus. This rejection set the stage for the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ, which then provided the basis for salvation offered to all who would believe. The refusal to "receive Him" implied a refusal to accept His divine claims, His teachings, and His person, leading to profound spiritual consequences.