John 1:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Becoming a child of God is a new birth that only God Himself can give.
The Context of John 1:13
From the opening hymn of John's Gospel, describing those who receive Christ. The previous verse has just said that to as many as received Him, He gave power to become the sons of God (verse 12); this verse explains where that new standing comes from.
What Does John 1:13 Mean?
John pauses to make sure we understand how a person becomes God's child, and he does it by clearing away the usual ideas. It does not come "of blood," that is, by family line or ancestry; no one is born into God's family simply by inheritance. It does not come "of the will of the flesh," by mere human desire or effort. It does not come "of the will of man," by anyone else's deciding it for us. He keeps stripping away every human source so that one thing stands alone at the end.
"But of God." This birth has a single origin: God Himself. To belong to Him is something He brings about, a life He breathes into us that we could not produce or inherit or arrange. And that is deeply reassuring. Our place in His family does not rest on our pedigree, our striving, or anyone's approval. It rests on God, who gives this new birth to those who receive His Son. The One who made us is the same One who makes us His own.
John 1:13 in the Original Language
gennao (γεννάω), 'born' -- to be begotten or born, to come into being from a source; here a birth whose source is God.
How to Apply John 1:13 Today
When we wonder whether we truly belong to God, this verse settles it on the surest ground. Being His child is a birth He gives, not something we inherit or earn or receive from another person's say-so. Our place in His family rests on God Himself, who makes His own those who receive His Son.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 1:13
What does John 1:13 mean?
Becoming a child of God is a new birth that only God Himself can give.
What is the context of John 1:13?
From the opening hymn of John's Gospel, describing those who receive Christ. The previous verse has just said that to as many as received Him, He gave power to become the sons of God (verse 12); this verse explains where that new standing comes from.
How can I apply John 1:13 today?
When we wonder whether we truly belong to God, this verse settles it on the surest ground. Being His child is a birth He gives, not something we inherit or earn or receive from another person's say-so. Our place in His family rests on God Himself, who makes His own those who receive His Son.