John 1:9–13 continues the majestic prologue of John’s Gospel, transitioning from the testimony of John the Baptist to the arrival of the true Light into the world. These verses describe the tragic rejection and the astonishing gift offered through the Incarnation: the right to become children of God. This passage captures both the darkness of human unbelief and the glory of divine grace, offering a concise theology of salvation rooted in divine initiative and Christ-centered faith.
“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 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.”
(John 1:9–13, ESV)
John 1:9 — “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.”
Cross References:
- Isaiah 49:6 – “I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
- John 8:12 – “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness…”
- 1 John 2:8 – “…the true light is already shining.”
The phrase “true light” contrasts Christ with all lesser lights, including the witness of John the Baptist. “True” does not mean “genuine” as opposed to “false” but rather “ultimate,” “complete,” or “perfect” in divine revelation. Christ is the full illumination of God’s glory and truth.
The expression “gives light to everyone” is best understood in the context of general and special revelation. The true Light shines universally in the sense that Christ is the only source of spiritual truth and life for all humanity. This does not imply universal salvation, but rather that every person must reckon with the Light.
Typologically, this fulfills Isaiah 9:2 — “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” Jesus is not merely for Israel but is God’s Light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6), the universal Redeemer.
John 1:10 — “He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.”
Cross References:
- Colossians 1:16 – “For by him all things were created…”
- Romans 1:21 – “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God…”
- Acts 17:24–27 – “Yet he is actually not far from each one of us.”
Here is the paradox of the Incarnation: the Creator enters His creation, and yet the creation fails to recognize Him. “The world” (used three times) refers not to the physical cosmos alone, but to humanity in rebellion, the organized system opposed to God.
“Did not know him” implies more than ignorance—it suggests relational rejection. This echoes the Fall in Genesis, where humanity suppresses the truth of God. The darkness did not overcome the Light (v.5), but it refused to acknowledge it.
Theologically, this rejection reveals the depth of human depravity. Even when God takes on flesh, man does not recognize Him without divine intervention.
John 1:11 — “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.”
Cross References:
- Isaiah 53:3 – “He was despised and rejected by men…”
- Romans 9:4–5 – “To them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants…”
- Matthew 23:37 – “O Jerusalem… How often would I have gathered your children together…”
This verse narrows the rejection: not only was the world blind to the Word, but Israel—His covenant people—rejected Him. The first phrase, “He came to His own,” refers to the land and people of promise. The second, “His own people,” makes the tragedy personal and covenantal.
Here is covenant rejection: the very people to whom the promises were given (Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic) fail to receive the promised Messiah. This fulfills Isaiah 1:3 – “Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”
Yet even this rejection was anticipated and woven into redemptive history. Christ is the stone the builders rejected (Psalm 118:22), but also the cornerstone of the new temple.
John 1:12 — “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,”
Cross References:
- Galatians 3:26 – “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.”
- Romans 8:16 – “The Spirit himself bears witness… that we are children of God.”
- 1 John 3:1 – “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God…”
In contrast to the majority rejection, there is a remnant who receive Him—those who believe in His name. “Receiving” Christ is not a vague spiritual sentiment, but an active faith commitment to His person and work. To believe in His name means to trust all that He is—His character, authority, and mission.
The astonishing result: He gave them the right to become children of God. The term “right” speaks of legal authority—this is a divinely granted status, not a human achievement. This is the language of adoption, a major New Testament theme, denoting an unbreakable relationship with the Father through the Son.
This verse transitions from rejection to regeneration—from judgment to new birth, setting up the theological ground for the next verse.
John 1:13 — “who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
Cross References:
- John 3:3 – “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
- James 1:18 – “Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth…”
- Ephesians 2:4–5 – “…even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ…”
Here is the foundation of salvation: it is not from natural descent (“not of blood”), human desire (“nor of the will of the flesh”), or human effort or decision (“nor of the will of man”), but is entirely of God.
This verse teaches the monergistic nature of the new birth—it is a sovereign act of God, not a cooperative effort. Human lineage, effort, or determination cannot produce a child of God. Only God gives new life, through the Spirit and the Word (John 3:5).
This is not merely theological precision—it is gospel assurance. If our new birth is rooted in God’s will, it is secure and unshakable. This is the doctrine of regeneration—the new creation by the Spirit that precedes and enables faith.
Summary for Discipleship & Teaching
John 1:9–13 moves from universal illumination to personal salvation. Christ, the Light, comes into the world, offering life and truth, yet He is tragically rejected—especially by His covenant people. But to those who receive Him by faith, He grants the highest privilege imaginable: to be children of God.
This passage teaches that salvation is not a human achievement but a divine gift, rooted in the Incarnation and the sovereign grace of God. For disciples, it calls us to humility and gratitude. For teaching, it presents a rich theology of conversion, adoption, and regeneration, firmly centered on Christ.
Here we find the tension and beauty of the gospel: rejected by many, received by few, given freely by God—and in Him, we are made sons and daughters of the living God.
Outline: John 1:9–13 (ESV)
The following information is intended for preparation.
Scripture (ESV):
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
1. The Light Comes to the World (v. 9)
- “The true light, which gives light to everyone” — Jesus is the genuine source of spiritual truth and understanding.
- 📖 Cross Reference: John 8:12 — “I am the light of the world.”
- “Was coming into the world” — Refers to the incarnation of Christ.
- Key Idea: Jesus brings divine light to all people.
- Key Words:true light, gives light, coming into the world
2. The Rejection of the Word (vv. 10–11)
- “The world was made through him” — Christ is the Creator of all.
- 📖 Cross Reference: Hebrews 1:2 — “through whom also he created the world.”
- “Yet the world did not know him” — Creation failed to recognize its Maker.
- “His own people did not receive him” — Israel, though chosen, rejected Him.
- Key Idea: Though He made the world and came to His own, Jesus was rejected.
- Key Words:made through him, did not know, did not receive
3. The Privilege of Believing (vv. 12–13)
- “To all who did receive him… he gave the right to become children of God” — Faith in Christ brings the legal and spiritual privilege of adoption.
- “Who believed in his name” — Trusting in the person and work of Jesus.
- “Born… of God” — Spiritual rebirth is God’s work, not human effort.
- 📖 Cross Reference: John 3:5–6 — “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit…”
- Key Idea: Receiving and believing in Christ results in becoming God’s child.
- Key Words:receive, believe, children of God, born… of God
Moe Bergeron 
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