His own country represents the Greek “his own,” a neuter phrase in Greek. Although translators differ as to the specific way in which they render this phrase, most commentators indicate that the reference is specifically to his own country, perhaps to the region of Judea in particular, which, together with Jerusalem and the Temple, is placed in focus in John’s Gospel.

His own people is literally “his own,” a masculine expression in Greek. It is best taken as a reference to the Jewish people. It is possible, of course, to take the first expression as a reference to the world in general, and the second as a reference to the peoples of the world in general, but the more restricted choice is preferable. However, Goodspeed (“he came to his home, and his own family did not welcome him”), though possible, seems too narrowly restricted. Perhaps Goodspeed bases this interpretation on the fact that the neuter phrase “his own” is used in 19.27 as a reference to the disciple’s “own home.”

Should He came to his own country be interpreted as “the country which he possessed” or “the country to which he belonged”? If it is a reference to the land of the Jewish people and to his rejection by his own Jewish people, then “country” should be understood in the sense of the country to which he belonged. However, it is important to avoid any implication that it was a country to which he belonged prior to his coming to it.

Depending upon viewpoint, it may be necessary in some languages to say “he went to his country.” In saying “he came,” one might have to assume that the writer of this Gospel was actually in Palestine when he wrote the book.

His own people did not receive him may be rendered “the people of which he was a part did not welcome him.” It is often necessary to render his own people “the people of which he was a part” or “the people to which he belonged”; otherwise readers may think that these people were his own possession, either “his own slaves” or “those over whom he ruled.”

In some languages “to receive a person” may be expressed idiomatically as “to greet him in one’s home,” “to say welcome to him,” “to accept him with happiness,” or even “to greet him as a kinsman.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .