John 1:12

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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:

Complete Jewish Bible:

But to as many as did receive him, to those who put their trust in his person and power, he gave the right to become children of God,

Berean Standard Bible:

But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—

American Standard Version:

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 with Strong’s Numbers:

But^{G1161} as many as^{G3745} received^{G2983} him^{G846}, to them^{G846} gave he^{G1325} power^{G1849} to become^{G1096} the sons^{G5043} of God^{G2316}, even to them that believe^{G4100} on^{G1519} his^{G846} name^{G3686}:

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Commentary for John 1:12

John 1:12 is a pivotal verse in the Gospel of John, which is traditionally attributed to the apostle John, a disciple of Jesus Christ. This verse encapsulates the theme of divine filiation, the concept that through faith in Jesus Christ, individuals are granted the power to become children of God. Historically, this verse is significant in the context of the early Christian community, which was grappling with questions of identity, salvation, and the nature of the relationship between God and humanity.

The text specifically addresses the inclusivity of God's offer of adoption into His family. "As many as received him" suggests an open invitation to all who are willing to accept Jesus. The "power" (Greek: exousia) granted by Jesus is not merely a static status but a dynamic authority or right to become sons of God. This transformation is accessible to those who "believe on his name," indicating that faith is the key to this new identity.

In the broader historical context, this verse reflects the early Church's struggle against Jewish exclusivism and the Greco-Roman understanding of divinity. It counters the notion that one's spiritual status is determined by birth or ethnicity, instead emphasizing personal faith in Christ as the means to divine sonship. The concept of becoming "sons of God" also resonates with the messianic expectations of the Jewish tradition, while redefining them in light of Christ's teachings and the emerging Christian theology.

John 1:12, therefore, speaks to the heart of the Christian message: the universal call to salvation and the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ. It assures believers of their adoption into God's family and their inheritance of eternal life, a message that was both radical and comforting to the early Christian audience and remains foundational to Christian doctrine today.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G3745
   There are 104 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅσος
   Transliteration: hósos
   Pronunciation: hos'-os
   Description: by reduplication from ὅς; as (much, great, long, etc.) as:--all (that), as (long, many, much) (as), how great (many, much), (in-)asmuch as, so many as, that (ever), the more, those things, what (great, -soever), wheresoever, wherewithsoever, which, X while, who(-soever).
   
3. Strong's Number: G2983
   There are 248 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λαμβάνω
   Transliteration: lambánō
   Pronunciation: lam-ban'-o
   Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is use only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively (properly objective or active, to get hold of; whereas δέχομαι is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while αἱρέομαι is more violent, to seize or remove)):--accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up).
   
4. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1325
   There are 377 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δίδωμι
   Transliteration: dídōmi
   Pronunciation: did'-o-mee
   Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection):--adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.
   
6. Strong's Number: G1849
   There are 93 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐξουσία
   Transliteration: exousía
   Pronunciation: ex-oo-see'-ah
   Description: from ἔξεστι (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence:--authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
   
7. Strong's Number: G1096
   There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γίνομαι
   Transliteration: gínomai
   Pronunciation: ghin'-om-ahee
   Description: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
   
8. Strong's Number: G5043
   There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τέκνον
   Transliteration: téknon
   Pronunciation: tek'-non
   Description: from the base of τίκτω; a child (as produced):--child, daughter, son.
   
9. Strong's Number: G2316
   There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: θεός
   Transliteration: theós
   Pronunciation: theh'-os
   Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
   
10. Strong's Number: G4100
    There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πιστεύω
    Transliteration: pisteúō
    Pronunciation: pist-yoo'-o
    Description: from πίστις; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.
    
11. Strong's Number: G1519
    There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἰς
    Transliteration: eis
    Pronunciation: ice
    Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
    
12. Strong's Number: G3686
    There are 214 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὄνομα
    Transliteration: ónoma
    Pronunciation: on'-om-ah
    Description: from a presumed derivative of the base of γινώσκω (compare ὀνίνημι); a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character):--called, (+ sur-)name(-d).