John 1:11

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 1:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not.
John 1:11 — American Standard Version

Context — John 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He came unto his own, etc.] Not all the world, who are his own by right of creation; for these, his own, are opposed to the world, and distinguished from them; and his coming to them designs some particular favour, which is not vouchsafed to all: nor yet are the elect of God intended; though they are Christ’s own, in a very special sense; they are his by his own choice, by his Father’s gift, by his own purchase, and through the conquest of his grace, and are the objects of his special love; and for their sake he came in the flesh, and to them he comes in a spiritual way, and to them will he appear a second time at the last day unto salvation: but they cannot be meant, because when he comes…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“his own--"His own" (property or possession), for the word is in the neuter gender. It means His own land, city, temple, Messianic rights and possessions. and his own--"His own (people)"; for now the word is masculine. It means the Jews, as the "peculiar people." Both they and their land, with all that this included, were "HIS OWN," not so much as part of "the world which was made by Him," but as "THE HEIR" of the inheritance (Luk 20:14; see also on Mat 22:1). received him not--nationally, as God's chosen witnesses.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He came unto his own - His own “land” or “country.” It was called his land because it was the place of his birth, and also because it was the chosen land where God delighted to dwell and to manifest his favor. See Isaiah 5:1-7. Over that land the laws of God had been extended, and that land had been regarded as especially his, Psalms 147:19-20. His own - His own “people.” There is a distinction here in the original words which is not preserved in the translation. It may be thus expressed: “He came to his own land, and his own people received him not.” They were his people, because God had chosen them to be his above all other nations; had given to them his laws; and had signally protected…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He came - In the fulness of time, to his own - Country, city, temple: And his own - People, received him not. John 1:12”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“came: Mat 15:24; Act 3:25, Act 3:26, Act 13:26, Act 13:26, Act 13:46; Rom 9:1, Rom 9:5, Rom 15:8; Gal 4:4 and: Joh 3:32; Isa 53:2, Isa 53:3; Luk 19:14, Luk 20:13-15; Act 7:51, Act 7:52 John 1:12”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification