“He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him — the movement narrows from cosmic rejection to the particular rejection by Israel, Jesus' own people. "His own" (ta idia) suggests belonging, inheritance, and right—Jesus comes to those bound to him by covenant promise, yet faces refusal. The double meaning of "his own"—first neuter (things), then masculine (people)—deepens the pathos. This verse anticipates the Gospel's account of Jewish religious authorities' opposition.
Church Fathers on John 1:11
When He said that the world knew Him not, he c referred to the times of the old dispensation, but what follows H has reference to the time of his preaching; He came to his own.
By his own, understand either the world, or Judea, which He had chosen for His inheritance.
But if none at all received, none will be saved. For no one will be saved, but he who received Christ at His coming; and therefore he adds, As many as received Him.
Read all 14 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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