John 1:12

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:11-12

The rejected and received Saviour. These words bring under our notice a most interesting subject—the great subject of the first fifteen verses of this chapter, viz. the coming of the Son of God, the manifestation of the Eternal Word in the flesh. We have here one of the peculiar aspects of his coming in order to carry out the great scheme of human redemption. We have Jesus here— I. AS COME TO HIS OWN . 1 . This is a special coming. He was in the world before and after... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:12-13

But before the apostle advances to the central statement of the entire proem, he stops to show that, though the whole world, though man as an organized mass, though Israel as a favoured and selected theocracy, have refused to know and confess his supreme claims, yet there has always been an election of grace. All have not perished in their unbelief. Some have received him. The twelfth and thirteenth verses do, indeed, in their full meaning, refer unmistakably to the entire ministry of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:12-13

The grace of adoption. The Jews might boast themselves of being children of Abraham, but Christ gives his disciples the far higher privilege of being sons of God. I. THE NATURE OF THE RIGHT OR PRIVILEGE ENJOYED BY TRUE BELIEVERS . "As many as received him, to them gave he the right to become the children of God." 1 . It is more than creation—sonship. It is more than the relationship of God as a Father to all men as rational and moral creatures; that sonship... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 1:12

To as many as received him - The great mass; the people; the scribes and Pharisees rejected him. A few in his lifetime received him, and many more after his death. “To receive him,” here, means to “believe” on him. This is expressed at the end of the verse.Gave he power - This is more appropriately rendered in the margin by the word “right” or “privilege.” Compare Acts 1:7; Acts 5:4; Rom 9:21; 1 Corinthians 7:37; 1Co 8:9; 1 Corinthians 9:4-5.Sons of God - Children of God by adoption. See the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 1:12-13

John 1:12-13. But as many as received him As the true Messiah, and according to the various offices and characters which he sustains: learning of him, as a teacher, the infinitely important lessons of his grace; relying on him with penitent and believing hearts, as a mediator, that is, on his sacrifice and intercession, for acceptance with God; applying to him, in faith and prayer, as a Redeemer and Saviour, for the redemption and salvation which he has to bestow; as many as are subject to... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 1:1-18

JESUS BEGINS HIS MINISTRY14. The eternal Word (John 1:1-18)To Israelites of Old Testament times, God’s word was more than something merely written down or spoken out. It was something active, so that when God expressed his will, that will was carried out. God spoke, and it was done (Genesis 1:3; Psalms 33:9; Isaiah 55:10-11). By his active word, God created the universe (Genesis 1:6,Genesis 1:9,Genesis 1:14; Psalms 33:6). God’s word had such life and power that people thought of it almost as if... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 1:12

as many as : John 1:9 is collective; John 1:12 is individual. received = accepted (from a giver). Not the same word as in John 1:11 . power = authority. App-172 . the sons = children. Greek. Plural of teknon. Not "sons". In John the word huios = son, is mostly reserved for the Lord Himself. See note 2, p. 1511. In John teknon Occurs only here, John 8:39 , and John 11:52 . App-108 . Paul uses both "children "and "sons, "of believers, but John uses the former only. See note 2 in the book... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 1:12

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.As many as received him ... and "them that believe on his name" refer to the same persons, namely, to those who accepted the claims of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and believed the message that he delivered to mankind. Since the days of Martin Luther, many religious persons have believed that faith alone makes people children of God; but, in this verse, it is clear that... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 1:12

Joh 1:12 gave he power, &c.— Gave he the privilege to become sons, &c. Doddridge, &c. See the 12th position in the argument. The word name is frequently used, as we have had occasion to observe, for the person or man who bears it; as likewise for that characteristic by which he is distinguished from all others. The verb πιστευω, to believe, is, in the Greek classics, used with a dative case signifying the person, and with an accusative signifying the thing. Thus when joined to the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 1:12

12. But as many—individuals, of the "disobedient and gainsaying people." gave he power—The word signifies both authority and ability, and both are certainly meant here. to become—Mark these words: Jesus is the Son of God; He is never said to have become such. the sons—or more simply, "sons of God," in name and in nature. believe on his name—a phrase never used in Scripture of any mere creature, to express the credit given to human testimony, even of prophets or apostles, inasmuch it carries... read more

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