John 1:14

"who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

Key Reflection

In John 1:14, Jesus explains that true believers are born not of physical descent or human will, but by divine initiative. This was a radical idea for the first-century Jewish audience, who believed in the importance of lineage and the role of human choice in salvation. By emphasizing that new life comes from God alone, John challenges the prevalent views on how one could be considered part of God's chosen people, pointing instead to spiritual rebirth through faith in Jesus Christ.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 14. And the Word was made flesh. The word flesh, here, is evidently used to denote human nature or man. See Mt 16:17; 19:5; 24:22; Lu 3:6; Ro 1:3; 9:5. The "Word" was made man. This is commonly expressed by saying that he became incarnate. When we say that a being becomes incarnate, we mean that one of a higher order than man, and of a different nature, assumes the appearance of man or becomes a man. Here it is meant that "the Word," or the second person of the Trinity, whom John had just proved to be equal with God, became a man, or was united with the man Jesus of Nazareth, so that it might be said that he was made flesh . Was made. This is the same word that is used in Joh 1:3.

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