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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - John 1:11 - 1:11
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
He came (ἦλθεν)
The narrative now passes from the general to the special action of the Word as the Light. The verb came, in the aorist tense, denotes a definite act - the Incarnation. In Joh 1:10 the Word is described as in the world invisibly. Now He appears.
Unto His own (εἰς τὰ ἴδια)
Literally, his own things: see on Act 1:7. The Rev. follows the A.V. Wyc., into his own things. Render his own home, and compare Joh 16:32; Joh 19:27; Act 21:6. The reference is to the land of Israel, which is recognized as God's own in a peculiar sense. See Jer 2:7; Hos 9:3; Zec 2:12; Deu 7:6. Not a repetition of Joh 1:10. There is a progress in the narrative. He was in the world at large: then he came unto His own home.
His own (οἱ ἴδια)
The masculine gender, as the preceding was neuter. That signified His own home or possessions, this His own people. Rev., they that were His own.
Received (παρέλαβον)
Most commonly in the New Testament of taking one along with another. See on Mat 4:5; see on Mat 17:1; see on Act 16:33. But also of accepting or acknowledging one to be what he professes to be, and of receiving something transmitted, as 1Co 11:23; Gal 1:12, etc. Westcott thinks this latter sense is implied here; Christ having been offered by the teachers of Israel through John. Alford adopts the former sense; “expressing the personal assumption to one's self as a friend or companion.” De Wette explains to receive into the house. Godet strains a point by explaining as welcomed. De Wette's explanation seems to agree best with his own home. Here again compare the nice choice of verbs: apprehended (κατέλαβεν) the Light as a principle, and received (παρέλαβον) the Light as a person and the Master of the house.