Devine Scripture

John 1:11

What does John 1:11 mean?

A plain-English look at John 1:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 1:11 means

This verse further intensifies the theme of rejection, specifying that the Word came particularly to "His own"—referring primarily to the Jewish people, God's chosen nation. Despite their covenant relationship and the prophecies concerning His coming, they collectively failed to receive Him. This highlights the specific tragedy of Israel's widespread unbelief, underscoring their failure to recognize their Messiah even among those who should have been most prepared.

John 1:11 in context

John 1 — The Word Made Flesh

John lifts the curtain higher than any other Gospel. Before there was a Bethlehem, there was the Word — with God, who was God, by whom all things were made. The same Word who was the agent of creation became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. John the Baptist points him out as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; the first disciples follow him; Nathanael confesses him as the Son of God and King of Israel. The eternal becomes near enough to touch.

  • Pre-existence of Christ
  • Incarnation
  • Light and life
  • First disciples

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

He came to the things which were his and his people did not take him to their hearts.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

to his own things he came, and his own people did not receive him;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

He came to his own, and his own received him not;

Context

Following the general statement of the world's non-recognition of the Word in verse 10, this verse narrows the focus to highlight the specific rejection by "His own." This is a poignant and heartbreaking moment in the narrative, intensifying the sense of unbelief. This particular rejection by God's chosen people immediately sets up the profound alternative presented in the next verse: the privilege offered to those who do receive Him, regardless of their heritage.

v.10He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not.

v.11This passage

v.12But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 9:1

    I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing witness with me in the Holy Spirit,

  • Galatians 4:4

    but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

  • Acts 3:25

    Ye are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

  • Luke 19:14

    But his citizens hated him, and sent an ambassage after him, saying, We will not that this man reign over us.

  • Matthew 15:24

    But he answered and said, I was not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

  • Acts 13:26

    Brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us is the word of this salvation sent forth.

Sermon ideas from John 1:11

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What John 1:11 teaches us about pre-existence of christ

  • What John 1:11 teaches us about incarnation

  • What John 1:11 teaches us about light and life

  • What John 1:11 teaches us about first disciples

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