John 1:13
New International Version
children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

New Living Translation
They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

English Standard Version
who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Berean Standard Bible
children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.

Berean Literal Bible
who were born not of blood, nor of will of flesh, nor of will of man, but of God.

King James Bible
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

New King James Version
who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

New American Standard Bible
who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God.

NASB 1995
who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

NASB 1977
who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Legacy Standard Bible
who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Amplified Bible
who were born, not of blood [natural conception], nor of the will of the flesh [physical impulse], nor of the will of man [that of a natural father], but of God [that is, a divine and supernatural birth—they are born of God—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].

Christian Standard Bible
who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.

American Standard Version
who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Contemporary English Version
They were not God's children by nature or because of any human desires. God himself was the one who made them his children.

English Revised Version
which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
These people didn't become God's children in a physical way-from a human impulse or from a husband's desire [to have a child]. They were born from God.

Good News Translation
They did not become God's children by natural means, that is, by being born as the children of a human father; God himself was their Father.

International Standard Version
who were born, not merely in a genetic sense, nor from lust, nor from man's desire, but from the will of God.

Majority Standard Bible
children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.

NET Bible
--children not born by human parents or by human desire or a husband's decision, but by God.

New Heart English Bible
who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Webster's Bible Translation
Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Weymouth New Testament
who were begotten as such not by human descent, nor through an impulse of their own nature, nor through the will of a human father, but from God.

World English Bible
who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
who were begotten, not of blood, nor of will of flesh, nor of will of man, but of God.

Berean Literal Bible
who were born not of blood, nor of will of flesh, nor of will of man, but of God.

Young's Literal Translation
who -- not of blood nor of a will of flesh, nor of a will of man but -- of God were begotten.

Smith's Literal Translation
They were not born of bloods, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
These are born, not of blood, nor of the will of flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

New American Bible
who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.

New Revised Standard Version
who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Those who are not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but born of God.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Those who had not been born of blood, nor of the desire of the flesh, nor of the desire of a man, but of God.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
who were begotten, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Godbey New Testament
who were born not of bloods, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Haweis New Testament
who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Mace New Testament
a birth which they had not from circumcision, nor from the constitution of the body, nor the institution of man, but from God.

Weymouth New Testament
who were begotten as such not by human descent, nor through an impulse of their own nature, nor through the will of a human father, but from God.

Worrell New Testament
who were born, not of bloods, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Worsley New Testament
who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Witness of John
12But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God. 14The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.…

Cross References
John 3:5-6
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. / Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit.

1 Peter 1:23
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

James 1:18
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.

Romans 9:16
So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

Galatians 4:29
At that time, however, the son born by the flesh persecuted the son born by the Spirit. It is the same now.

1 John 3:9
Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.

Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast.

Titus 3:5
He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

1 John 5:1
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves those born of Him.

1 Corinthians 4:15
Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

Matthew 16:17
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.

Romans 8:16
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Ezekiel 36:26-27
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.

Jeremiah 31:33
“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.

Isaiah 43:7
everyone called by My name and created for My glory, whom I have indeed formed and made.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

were.

John 3:3,5
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…

James 1:18
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

1 Peter 1:3,23
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, …

not.

John 8:33-41
They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? …

Matthew 3:9
And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Romans 9:7-9
Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called…

nor of the will of the.

Genesis 25:22,28
And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the LORD…

Genesis 27:4,33
And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die…

Romans 9:10-16
And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; …

nor of the will of man.

Psalm 110:3
Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

Romans 9:1-5
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, …

Romans 10:1-3
Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved…

of God.

John 3:6-8
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit…

Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

1 John 2:28,29
And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming…

Jump to Previous
Begotten Birth Blood Born Children Decision Descent Desire Flesh Human Husband's Impulse Natural Nature
Jump to Next
Begotten Birth Blood Born Children Decision Descent Desire Flesh Human Husband's Impulse Natural Nature
John 1
1. The divinity, humanity, office, and incarnation of Jesus Christ.
15. The testimony of John.
39. The calling of Simon and Andrew, Philip and Nathanael














children
The term "children" in this context refers to those who have become part of God's family through spiritual rebirth. The Greek word used here is "τέκνα" (tekna), which emphasizes the relationship and connection to God as a parent. This highlights the intimate and personal nature of the believer's relationship with God, contrasting with a mere legal or formal association. In the broader biblical narrative, being called "children of God" signifies a transformation and adoption into a divine family, underscoring the grace and love bestowed upon believers.

born not of blood
The phrase "born not of blood" signifies a birth that transcends natural lineage or ancestry. The Greek word for "blood" is "αἱμάτων" (haimatōn), which can refer to physical descent or heritage. This indicates that spiritual birth is not dependent on human ancestry or ethnic background. In the historical context of the Jewish people, who often traced their identity through lineage, this statement is radical, emphasizing that spiritual rebirth is available to all, regardless of their earthly heritage.

nor of the desire
The word "desire" here is translated from the Greek "θελήματος" (thelēmatos), which can mean will, desire, or intention. This phrase suggests that spiritual birth is not the result of human passion or emotional longing. It underscores the idea that becoming a child of God is not something that can be achieved through human effort or desire alone. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching that salvation and spiritual rebirth are acts of divine grace rather than human achievement.

or will of man
The "will of man" refers to human decision-making or planning. The Greek word "ἀνδρός" (andros) specifically denotes a male, but in this context, it represents humanity in general. This phrase emphasizes that spiritual rebirth is not a product of human decision or planning. It is not something that can be orchestrated or controlled by human beings, highlighting the sovereignty and initiative of God in the process of salvation.

but born of God
The phrase "born of God" encapsulates the divine origin of spiritual rebirth. The Greek word "ἐγεννήθησαν" (egennēthēsan) is used here, which means to be born or begotten. This emphasizes that the new birth is a supernatural act initiated by God Himself. It is a work of the Holy Spirit, as described in other parts of Scripture, such as John 3:5-8. This divine birth is transformative, bringing individuals into a new life and relationship with God, characterized by His love, grace, and truth. This concept is central to the Christian faith, underscoring the belief that salvation is a gift from God, not earned by human effort.

(13) Which were born.--The result of receiving Him remains to be explained. How could they become "sons of God?" The word which has been used (John 1:12) excludes the idea of adoption, and asserts the natural relation of child to father. The nation claimed this through its descent from Abraham. But they are Abraham's children who are of Abraham's faith. There is a higher generation, which is spiritual, while they thought only of the lower, which is physical. The condition is the submissive receptivity of the human spirit. The origin of life is "not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[children]
οἳ (hoi)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

born
ἐγεννήθησαν (egennēthēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1080: From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate.

not
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

of
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

blood,
αἱμάτων (haimatōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 129: Blood, literally, figuratively or specially; by implication, bloodshed, also kindred.

nor
οὐδὲ (oude)
Conjunction
Strong's 3761: Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.

of
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

[the] desire
θελήματος (thelēmatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2307: An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination.

[or]
οὐδὲ (oude)
Conjunction
Strong's 3761: Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.

will
θελήματος (thelēmatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2307: An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination.

of man,
ἀνδρὸς (andros)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.

but [born]
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

of
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

God.
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.


Links
John 1:13 NIV
John 1:13 NLT
John 1:13 ESV
John 1:13 NASB
John 1:13 KJV

John 1:13 BibleApps.com
John 1:13 Biblia Paralela
John 1:13 Chinese Bible
John 1:13 French Bible
John 1:13 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: John 1:13 Who were born not of blood (Jhn Jo Jn)
John 1:12
Top of Page
Top of Page