John 1:11

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

He came {G2064} unto {G1519} his own {G2398}, and {G2532} his own {G2398} received {G3880} him {G846} not {G3756}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He came to his own homeland,
yet his own people did not receive him.

Berean Standard Bible

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 1:11 profoundly captures the tragic irony of Christ's incarnation: the eternal Word, who created and sustains all things, entered the world He made, specifically coming to His chosen people, Israel. Yet, despite His divine origin and their long-awaited hope for a Messiah, "His own"—those who should have recognized and welcomed Him—deliberately rejected Him, setting the stage for the broader offer of salvation to all who would believe.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a pivotal transition within the Prologue of John's Gospel ([John 1:1-18](/john/1-1-18 "John 1:1-18 - The Prologue")). Following the majestic declarations of Jesus as the pre-existent [Word (Logos)](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word was God"), the [Life](/john/1-4 "John 1:4 - In Him was life"), and the [True Light](/john/1-9 "John 1:9 - The True Light") shining into the darkness, John 1:11 shifts from cosmic and abstract truths to the concrete reality of His earthly arrival and reception. It immediately precedes the glorious counterpoint in [John 1:12-13](/john/1-12-13 "John 1:12-13 - Receiving Christ and Becoming Children of God"), which highlights the privilege granted to those who *do* receive Him, contrasting sharply with the rejection described here. The progression moves from universal revelation to specific, personal response, emphasizing the critical choice humanity faced and continues to face regarding Jesus.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The phrase "His own" carries deep historical and cultural weight. Primarily, it refers to the nation of Israel, God's covenant people, whom He had chosen, nurtured, and prepared for centuries for the coming of the Messiah. Through the Mosaic Law, the prophets, and the temple system, God had established a unique relationship with Israel, promising a deliverer from the line of David. The Jewish people, therefore, were "His own" in a profound, intimate sense, having received divine revelation and a clear expectation of the Messiah's advent. Their land, their traditions, and their very identity were interwoven with the anticipation of God's direct intervention. The rejection described in this verse is not merely a general human failing but a specific, heartbreaking refusal by those who had been uniquely positioned to welcome their long-awaited King.
* **Key Themes:** John 1:11 encapsulates several foundational themes of the Gospel. It underscores the **Divine Incarnation and Humility**, revealing the Creator entering His creation in vulnerability, only to be spurned. This highlights the profound **Tragedy of Unbelief and Rejection**, particularly by those most privileged to receive God's revelation. It also reinforces the theme of **Light vs. Darkness**, echoing [John 1:5](/john/1-5 "John 1:5 - The Light Shines in the Darkness"), where the darkness "did not comprehend" or "overcome" the light. Here, the darkness actively refuses the light. Furthermore, it subtly introduces the theme of **Sovereignty and Human Choice**, demonstrating that while God's plan unfolds, human beings retain the capacity for willful rejection, even of divine truth. This rejection, however, paradoxically paves the way for a broader, more inclusive salvation, as seen in [John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - The Power to Become Children of God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **came (Greek, _érchomai'_):** This verb signifies a purposeful arrival, a deliberate act of coming into a specific place or situation. It is not an accidental or passive appearance but an active, intentional movement. In the context of Jesus, it emphasizes His voluntary condescension from His pre-existent glory to enter human history and dwell among humanity.
* **own (Greek, _ídios'_):** This word is crucial for understanding the dual layer of rejection. In the first instance ("He came unto his own"), the Greek is *ta idia*, referring to "His own things" or "His own home/country" – signifying the world He created, the realm of His dominion. In the second instance ("and his own received him not"), the Greek is *hoi idioi*, referring to "His own people" or "His own family" – specifically, the nation of Israel, God's chosen covenant people. This distinction highlights both the universal rejection by creation and the more poignant, specific rejection by His beloved people.
* **received (Greek, _paralambánō'_):** This verb implies more than mere intellectual acknowledgment; it means "to take near," "to welcome," "to accept into fellowship or intimacy." It suggests a deliberate act of embracing, acknowledging, and associating with. The negative "received him not" (ou parelabon) therefore denotes an active, conscious refusal to welcome, acknowledge, or accept Jesus' person and claims, rather than a simple lack of understanding or passive ignorance. It signifies a deliberate act of exclusion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He came unto his own":** This clause describes the Incarnation, the divine Son's arrival into the world. "His own" first refers to the entire created order, as Jesus is the Creator of all things ([John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Were Made Through Him")). More specifically and poignantly, it refers to Israel, the people God had chosen as His special possession, to whom He gave His law and prophets, and from whom the Messiah was prophesied to come. This highlights the intimate connection Jesus had with those He approached.
* **"and his own received him not":** This second clause reveals the tragic outcome of His arrival. Despite His identity as Creator and Messiah, and despite coming to the very people prepared for Him, they did not welcome or accept Him. The refusal was not due to ignorance but a deliberate choice, a rejection of His person, His claims, and the salvation He offered. This sets up the dramatic contrast with the next verse, which speaks of those who *did* receive Him.

#### Literary Devices
John 1:11 is rich with **Irony**. The ultimate irony lies in the Creator coming to His creation, and the King coming to His kingdom, only to be rejected by those who should have been most eager to welcome Him. This is a profound reversal of expectation. There is also strong **Antithesis** or **Contrast** at play, setting up a stark opposition between "He came unto his own" (an act of divine love and condescension) and "his own received him not" (an act of human rebellion and rejection). This contrast emphasizes the profound tragedy of the situation and underscores the theme of light rejected by darkness, which permeates the Prologue. The use of the repeated phrase "his own" (first referring to His domain, then to His people) also functions as a subtle form of **Parallelism** with a deepening sense of sorrow, moving from a general rejection by creation to a specific, more painful rejection by His chosen people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 1:11 is a theological cornerstone, revealing the depth of human depravity and the profound nature of divine love. It underscores that God's presence and truth are not automatically embraced, even by those with the most exposure to divine revelation. The rejection of Jesus by "His own" highlights the pervasive nature of sin, which blinds individuals and even a chosen nation to the very light and life offered by God. This rejection, while tragic, was also part of God's sovereign plan, ultimately paving the way for the inclusion of Gentiles into the family of God, demonstrating that salvation is not based on national identity or lineage but on personal faith in Christ. It foreshadows the broader narrative of the New Testament, where the Gospel, initially offered to the Jews, extends to the ends of the earth.

* [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected by Men")
* [Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem")
* [Romans 9:30-33](/romans/9-30-33 "Romans 9:30-33 - Israel's Rejection and Gentile Acceptance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 1:11 challenges us to deeply consider our own response to Jesus Christ. Just as "His own" failed to recognize and receive Him, we too can be susceptible to spiritual blindness, allowing familiarity, preconceived notions, or worldly distractions to prevent us from truly embracing Him. This verse serves as a sober reminder that merely being exposed to Christian teaching or belonging to a religious community does not guarantee genuine reception of Christ. Receiving Jesus means more than intellectual assent; it involves a radical surrender, a welcoming of His lordship into every area of our lives, and a belief in His name that transforms our identity and purpose. It calls for an open heart, a willingness to relinquish control, and a humble submission to the One who is the very source of life and light. The question for us today is not just "Do I know about Jesus?" but "Have I truly received Him?" Are there areas in our lives where we, like "His own," are still resisting His transformative presence and truth?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, like "His own," subtly or overtly fail to fully receive Jesus in my daily life?**
* **What preconceived notions or expectations might be hindering my deeper reception of Christ's person or His claims on my life?**
* **How does the historical rejection of Jesus by His own people inform my understanding of the ongoing need for evangelism and discipleship, even among those familiar with Christian concepts?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to more intentionally "receive" Jesus into an area of my life where I have been resistant?**

### FAQ
**Why did "His own" reject Jesus, especially since they were God's chosen people?**

Answer: The rejection of Jesus by "His own" (primarily Israel) was complex, stemming from a combination of factors. Many held political and nationalistic expectations of the Messiah, envisioning a conquering king who would liberate them from Roman rule, rather than a suffering servant who would establish a spiritual kingdom. Their understanding of the Law had often become legalistic and external, leading to spiritual pride and a resistance to Jesus' radical teachings on grace, humility, and inner transformation. Furthermore, the religious leaders, in particular, felt threatened by Jesus' authority, His claims to divinity, and His challenge to their established traditions and power structures. This spiritual blindness and hardened hearts, despite centuries of divine preparation, ultimately led to their tragic rejection of the very One they had awaited. This is a recurring theme in the Gospels, such as when Jesus laments over Jerusalem in [Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Jesus' Lament Over Jerusalem").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The poignant rejection of Jesus by "His own" in [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - His Own Received Him Not") is not the final word but a crucial, if painful, step in God's redemptive plan, ultimately fulfilled in Christ. While Israel's rejection was a profound tragedy, it paradoxically opened the door for the Gospel to extend beyond the confines of a single nation. This rejection, though not God's ideal, allowed for the broader inclusion of Gentiles, demonstrating that salvation is not predicated on ethnic lineage but on faith in Jesus Christ, as beautifully articulated in [Romans 11:11-12](/romans/11-11-12 "Romans 11:11-12 - Israel's Stumbling and Gentile Salvation"). Jesus, the rejected cornerstone, became the head of a new spiritual house, composed of all who believe, Jew or Gentile, fulfilling prophecies of a universal kingdom ([Psalm 118:22](/psalm/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone the Builders Rejected") and [1 Peter 2:7-8](/1_peter/2-7-8 "1 Peter 2:7-8 - Christ the Cornerstone")). His crucifixion, the ultimate act of rejection, became the means of atonement, allowing all who receive Him to become children of God ([John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - The Power to Become Children of God")) and inherit eternal life. Thus, the very act of rejection by "His own" was woven into the tapestry of God's sovereign plan to bring about a more expansive, grace-filled salvation for all humanity through the finished work of Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 19:14

But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this [man] to reign over us.

Isaiah 53:2

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him.

Isaiah 53:3

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

John 3:32

And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.

Acts 7:51

¶ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers [did], so [do] ye.

Acts 7:52

Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

Luke 20:13

Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence [him] when they see him.