Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 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." — John 1:13 (ASV)

Just as there is a sharp antithesis in vv.4–5 between darkness and light, so here is an equally direct contrast between rejection and reception. In spite of the many who rejected the Word, there were some who received him. This provides the initial definition of “believe” (GK 4409) by equating it with “receive.” When we receive a gift, we demonstrate our confidence in its reality and trustworthiness. We make it part of our own possessions. By being so received, Jesus gives to those who receive him a right to membership in the family of God.

“Become” indicates clearly that people are not the spiritual children of God by natural birth, for we cannot become what we already are. This verb implies a change of nature. “Not of natural descent” excludes a purely physical process; “nor of human decision” rules out the result of any biological urge; “or a husband’s will” shows that this kind of birth is not merely the outcome of a legal marriage. The relation is spiritual, not biological. There is a connection with the concept of the new birth as elaborated in Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus .