John 1:11-13
What is written? (ESV)
He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
What does it say?
He (Jesus) came to His own people, but they did not receive Him. However, anyone that did — by believing in Him as the Christ — He gave the right to become a child of God, having been born again, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
What is its immediate context?
The beginning of John’s testimony of the things he witnessed about Jesus’ time on earth. He elaborates on Jesus, the Son of God’s, manifestation in the flesh (vs 14).
How John 1:11-13 is applied across Bible answers
For whom did Christ die?
John states clearly that Jesus was "the light, which enlightens everybody" (vs 9), but that out of the world (vs 10), only some will "receive" Jesus. He came first to His own Hebrew people, but He was largely rejected (however, not completely).
How are we saved by grace only?
Being a child of God is a "right" bestowed through belief in Jesus and being "born...of God".
What is the promise of the Holy Spirit?
John announces God's dwelling among man15 through His Son and its effect or result -- man being able to be "born...of God"3.
What saves you eternally?
Jesus "gave the right to become" a child of God. In other words, the gift of His sacrifice (the "grace of God"3) did not automatically save everyone. The "right" was exercised only by those who "believed in his name" and "were born...of God".
