Charles Ellicott Commentary John 1:11

"He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not." — John 1:11 (ASV)

The phrase "He came," as distinct from the "was" of the previous verse, moves on to the historic advent. But since that advent was only the more distinct act of which there had been foreshadowings in every appearance and revelation of God, these Advents of the Old Testament are not excluded.

His own is neuter, and is the same word used in John 19:27, where it is translated "his own home." (Compare John 16:32, margin, and Acts 21:6.) What then was the "home?" It is distinguished from the "world" of John 1:10, and it must be that the home of Jewish thought was the land, the city, the temple, bound up with every Messianic hope. Traces of this abound in the Jewish Scriptures. Compare especially Malachi 3:1, The Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple. (See also Luke 2:49, Note.)

His own in the second clause is masculine—the dwellers in His own home, who were His own people, the special objects of His love and care. (Deuteronomy 7:6; Psalms 135:4; Isaiah 41:9, and Notes on Ephesians 2:19 and Titus 2:14.) We turn from the coldness of a strange world to the warmth and welcome of a loving home. The world did not know Him, and He came to His own, and they despised Him!

Received him not is stronger than "knew him not" of John 1:10. It is the rejection of those for whom no plea of ignorance can be urged, of those who see, and therefore their sin remaineth (John 9:41).

There has been an increasing depth in the tone of sadness which cannot now grow deeper. As the revelation has become clearer, as the moral power and responsibility of acceptance has been stronger, the rejection has passed into willful refusal. The darkness did not comprehend; the world did not know; His own did not receive.