1 John 3:13 kjv

Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

1 John 3:13 nkjv

Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.

1 John 3:13 niv

Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.

1 John 3:13 esv

Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.

1 John 3:13 nlt

So don't be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.

1 John 3 verses

1 John 3 13 Meaning

First John 3:13 warns believers not to be astonished or troubled when they experience the world's hatred. This instruction immediately follows a clear distinction between the children of God and the children of the devil, marked by righteousness and love versus sin and animosity. John communicates that hostility from those who do not know God is an expected and natural consequence of identifying with Christ and living a righteous, loving life. It implies that such opposition confirms believers' distinct spiritual identity and separation from the world's values.

1 John 3 13 Context

1 John 3:13 is positioned within a vital passage that distinguishes between the two spiritual families: the children of God and the children of the devil. Preceding verses (3:1-3) emphasize the immense love of God in making us His children and our future hope of being like Him. Following this, John clarifies the practical implications of belonging to God through a focus on righteousness and the absence of continuous sin (3:4-9). Verse 10 explicitly states the clear markers of belonging: righteousness and, crucially, brotherly love. Verses 11 and 12 then establish love as the core command from the beginning, contrasting it with Cain's hatred-fueled murder of Abel, who was "of the evil one." Against this backdrop, verse 13 logically flows, addressing the expected hatred believers will face from the world precisely because of their distinct, Christ-like nature which aligns with love and righteousness and stands in opposition to the world's sin and hatred. Historically, early Christians faced significant societal disapproval, slander, and persecution, making John's warning highly relevant for his immediate audience and for believers throughout history.

1 John 3 13 Word analysis

• "Do not marvel" (μὴ θαυμάζετε - mē thaumazete):

  • mē: A prohibitory negative particle, translating to "do not."
  • thaumazete (from thaumazō): To wonder, be astonished, amazed, or surprised.
  • Significance: It's an instruction not to be shocked or bewildered by the world's reaction. John normalizes what might seem inexplicable or disheartening, implying that such animosity is a logical outcome rather than an unusual event, thus serving as a pastoral preparation for reality.

• "my brothers" (ἀδελφοί - adelphoi):

  • adelphoi: Literally "from the same womb"; here used metaphorically for fellow believers, forming a spiritual family.
  • Significance: A term of deep affection and solidarity. It highlights the familial bond within the Christian community, which stands in stark contrast to the external hostility from "the world." It reinforces the identity of believers as a united family facing external opposition.

• "if" (εἰ - ei):

  • ei: A conditional particle. While it can introduce uncertainty, in this Johannine context, especially following Jesus's teachings, it's often used to introduce a condition assumed to be true or a likely scenario, almost meaning "seeing that" or "given that."
  • Significance: It subtly suggests that the world's hatred is not a remote possibility but a near certainty for true believers. It underscores the expected nature of this spiritual conflict.

• "the world" (ὁ κόσμος - ho kosmos):

  • ho kosmos: In Johannine theology, "the world" often refers not to the physical creation but to fallen humanity organized in opposition to God, characterized by its sin, rebellion, and self-rule apart from divine truth.
  • Significance: This "world" is hostile to God and His kingdom (1 Jn 5:19). Its hatred is a direct manifestation of its alienation from God and its allegiance to the evil one, making its animosity toward believers understandable from a spiritual perspective.

• "hates you" (μισεῖ ὑμᾶς - misei hymas):

  • misei (from miseō): To detest, abhor, persecute, or have active hostility towards. It implies a deep-seated antagonism.
  • hymas: The direct object pronoun, referring to the believers.
  • Significance: This is not passive indifference but active enmity and dislike. The world's hatred is directed at believers because their lives and allegiance to Christ expose the world's darkness and challenge its values.

• "Do not marvel, my brothers, if the world hates you":

  • This phrase serves as a tender pastoral warning. John, with fraternal concern, preempts any confusion or discouragement believers might feel when facing societal scorn or outright persecution. By stating "do not marvel," he grounds this hatred in the reality of spiritual conflict, making it an anticipated mark of their true spiritual identity rather than a sign of their error. It's a call to resilience and understanding: genuine identification with Christ naturally sets believers apart from a world hostile to divine truth and love. This separation often provokes antagonism, validating believers' standing with God.

1 John 3 13 Bonus section

• This verse can be understood as a direct echo of Jesus's teachings in the Upper Room Discourse, particularly John 15:18-19, where He prepares His disciples for the world's animosity. John, as an apostle who heard these words directly, faithfully conveyed this truth to his community.
• The hatred faced by believers is often not primarily personal but an attack on the principles, values, and allegiance that believers embody. It is a reaction to the holiness and love of God reflected in their lives, which exposes the darkness and unrighteousness of the world.
• Understanding this truth can transform the experience of persecution from a cause for despair into a confirmation of genuine faith and separation unto God. It fosters a spirit of perseverance and reinforces the unique identity of Christ's followers.

1 John 3 13 Commentary

1 John 3:13 provides a critical lens through which believers are to view external opposition. Coming after the sharp distinction between those born of God (who practice righteousness and love) and those born of the devil (who practice sin and hatred, exemplified by Cain), John warns his audience not to be surprised by animosity from "the world." This "world" is not the created order, but fallen human society alienated from God, under the sway of evil. Their hatred stems from a fundamental spiritual conflict: light against darkness, love against selfish ambition, Christ's truth against the world's deception. For believers, being hated by the world is not an indication of failure but an affirmation of their true identity in Christ and their belonging to God's family, paralleling the world's hatred for Christ Himself. It encourages resilience and strengthens conviction, reminding them that their citizenship is elsewhere and their values diverge sharply from the ungodly world system. This understanding should foster a loving unity among believers, in stark contrast to the hatred outside.