John 1:11

1:11 He came to what was his own, but his own people did not receive him.

tn Grk “to his own things.”

tn Grk “and,” but in context this is an adversative use of καί (kai) and is thus translated “but.”

tn “People” is not in the Greek text but is implied.

sn His own people did not receive him. There is a subtle irony here: When the λόγος (logos) came into the world, he came to his own (τὰ ἴδια, ta idia, literally “his own things”) and his own people (οἱ ἴδιοι, Joi idioi), who should have known and received him, but they did not. This time John does not say that “his own” did not know him, but that they did not receive him (παρέλαβον, parelabon). The idea is one not of mere recognition, but of acceptance and welcome.