This verse reveals that spiritual birth is an act of God rather than a result of human or physical descent.
“who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (v.13)
The Apostle John, who likely wrote his Gospel sometime between AD 80-95, wants his readers to see that those who receive Jesus by faith enter a new kind of spiritual birth. He states that believers “were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” This underscores that becoming a child of God is not the result of earthly descent or human effort; rather, it is a supernatural birth into God’s family. This same point appears in the context of John 1:12: all who trust in Christ receive the authority to become God’s children, an authority which cannot be secured any other way. As part of the covenant God has opened to all through Christ, our sins are atoned for by the Lamb of God (Jesus), and we are welcomed into His household forever. This is consistent with the idea that being “born again” comes only from looking upon Jesus in faith (John 3:14-16).
By stating “who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man,” John emphasizes that Biology and nationality have no bearing on one’s standing with God. A person does not inherit salvation from family or tribe. Moreover, no personal decision of the “flesh,” no religious striving, can produce this spiritual birth. Instead, it happens “of God,” through His grace and power. Jesus came into the world (John 1:9-11), was cast out by many, but for those who receive Him, He grants a membership within the divine household, freely given. Sheep belong to their shepherd not by their own choice but by the shepherd’s call, paralleling this idea that becoming children of God is entirely by God’s action and authority.
This truth also appears elsewhere, such as the “new birth” of John 3, or in passages like Ephesians 2:8-9, pointing to salvation as purely a gift of God. Once someone is born into His family, the bond is permanent. It fulfills God’s promise of redemption not merely for a nation but for all who believe. In that sense, every believer’s spiritual identity is rooted in Him who calls us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
All who place their faith in Jesus are spiritually reborn into God’s family, entirely by His power and grace.
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John 1:13 meaning
“who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (v.13)
The Apostle John, who likely wrote his Gospel sometime between AD 80-95, wants his readers to see that those who receive Jesus by faith enter a new kind of spiritual birth. He states that believers “were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” This underscores that becoming a child of God is not the result of earthly descent or human effort; rather, it is a supernatural birth into God’s family. This same point appears in the context of John 1:12: all who trust in Christ receive the authority to become God’s children, an authority which cannot be secured any other way. As part of the covenant God has opened to all through Christ, our sins are atoned for by the Lamb of God (Jesus), and we are welcomed into His household forever. This is consistent with the idea that being “born again” comes only from looking upon Jesus in faith (John 3:14-16).
By stating “who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man,” John emphasizes that Biology and nationality have no bearing on one’s standing with God. A person does not inherit salvation from family or tribe. Moreover, no personal decision of the “flesh,” no religious striving, can produce this spiritual birth. Instead, it happens “of God,” through His grace and power. Jesus came into the world (John 1:9-11), was cast out by many, but for those who receive Him, He grants a membership within the divine household, freely given. Sheep belong to their shepherd not by their own choice but by the shepherd’s call, paralleling this idea that becoming children of God is entirely by God’s action and authority.
This truth also appears elsewhere, such as the “new birth” of John 3, or in passages like Ephesians 2:8-9, pointing to salvation as purely a gift of God. Once someone is born into His family, the bond is permanent. It fulfills God’s promise of redemption not merely for a nation but for all who believe. In that sense, every believer’s spiritual identity is rooted in Him who calls us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
All who place their faith in Jesus are spiritually reborn into God’s family, entirely by His power and grace.