Devine Scripture

John 1:12

What does John 1:12 mean?

A plain-English look at John 1:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 1:12 means

In stark contrast to the rejection described earlier, this verse offers hope and a profound privilege to those who do receive the Word. To all who believe in His name, Jesus grants the authority or right to become children of God. This adoption into God's family is exclusively based on faith in Jesus, not on lineage or works, emphasizing a spiritual birth and a new relationship with God accessible to all who believe.

John 1:12 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

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

To all those who did so take him, however, he gave the right of becoming children of God--that is, to those who had faith in his name:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

but as many as did receive him to them he gave authority to become sons of God--to those believing in his name,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in his name.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but as many as received him, to them gave he [the] right to be children ofGod, to those that believe on his name;

Context

This verse provides a powerful counterpoint to the preceding verses that lament the world's and Israel's rejection of the Word. It shifts from sorrow to grace, offering a path to divine sonship for those who exercise faith. This pivotal statement introduces the core theme of salvation and adoption, immediately following the narratives of rejection, thereby highlighting the profound opportunity presented by the Word's coming and setting the stage for the nature of this spiritual birth.

v.11He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not.

v.12This passage

v.13who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 12:21

    And in his name shall the Gentiles hope.

  • Galatians 3:26

    For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus.

  • John 11:52

    and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad.

  • 1 John 3:1

    Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

  • 2 Peter 1:4

    whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.

  • Colossians 2:6

    As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,

Sermon ideas from John 1:12

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

  • What John 1:12 teaches us about pre-existence of christ

  • What John 1:12 teaches us about incarnation

  • What John 1:12 teaches us about light and life

  • What John 1:12 teaches us about first disciples

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