John 1:13
What does John 1:13 mean?
A plain-English look at John 1:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 1:13 means
This verse further clarifies the nature of becoming children of God, emphasizing that this spiritual birth is not a result of human will, natural descent (blood), or physical procreation (will of the flesh/man). Instead, it is solely a miraculous act originating from God Himself. This underscores the supernatural and divine origin of salvation, showing that being born into God's family is a work of divine grace, independent of human effort, lineage, or natural processes.
John 1:13 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 · 2000who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Whose birth was from God and not from blood, or from an impulse of the flesh and man's desire.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who--not of blood nor of a will of flesh, nor of a will of man but--of God were begotten.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who have been born, not of blood, nor of flesh's will, nor of man's will, but ofGod.
Context
Following the declaration that those who receive the Word gain the right to become children of God in verse 12, this verse explains the *manner* of this spiritual birth. It carefully distinguishes this divine parentage from any human means of origin, reinforcing the supernatural and God-initiated nature of salvation. This explanation deepens the reader's understanding of what it means to be a child of God, preparing for the ultimate revelation of the Word's incarnation in the next verse.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Titus 3:5
not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
- Genesis 25:28
Now Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: and Rebekah loved Jacob.
- 1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith.
- Philippians 2:13
for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
- Genesis 25:22
And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, wherefore do I live? And she went to inquire of Jehovah.
- John 8:33
They answered unto him, We are Abraham’s seed, and have never yet been in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Sermon ideas from John 1:13
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 1:13 teaches us about pre-existence of christ
What John 1:13 teaches us about incarnation
What John 1:13 teaches us about light and life
What John 1:13 teaches us about first disciples
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