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:
What does John 1:12 mean?
There was great hatred between the Samaritans and the Jews. Christ's road from Judea to Galilee lay through Samaria.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside John 1:11-14 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on John 1:12
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 ; Romans 9:21 ; 1 Corinthians 7:37 ; 1 Corinthians 8:9 ; 1 Corinthians 9:4-5 . Sons of God - Children of God by adoption. See the notes at Matthew 1:1 . Christians are called sons of God: 1. Because they are "adopted" by Him, 1 John 3:1 . 2. Because they are "like Him;" they resemble Him and have His spirit. 3.
Context in John 1
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John 1 belongs to the opening movement of the book, especially the section often described as prologue and book of signs. John presents Jesus in contemplative, symbolic, and theological richness as the Word, Lamb, Light, Bread, Shepherd, Resurrection, Way, Vine, and Son. Read this chapter with the wider themes of incarnation, life, and light in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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A guided collection of passages on God’s love, neighbor-love, steadfast covenant love, and the shape of love in Christian life.
Passages on trusting God, receiving Christ, persevering without sight, and the relation between faith and lived obedience.
Passages on the nature of truth, honesty, deception, the word of God as truth, and Jesus' claim to be the truth.