Today it is commonplace to speak of “receiving” Jesus into one’s life. This language is relatively rare in the New Testament (though cf. John 13:20 and Col 2:6), but it is important nonetheless. Reception is defined as “belief in his name,” which implies trust in his power or authority. Those who trust in Jesus acknowledge him as their master and become God’s spiritual children, with a new authority or status (NIV “right”) themselves. As the center of the chiasm, verses 12–13 create the climax of the prologue, which “by way of inclusio epitomizes the very purpose for which the Gospel was written: for people to ‘believe’ and have life ‘in his name’ (cf. 20:31).”
Blomberg, C. L. (2009). Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey (2nd Edition., p. 248). Nashville, TN: B&H Academic.
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