John 1:3 kjv

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:3 nkjv

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

John 1:3 niv

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

John 1:3 esv

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:3 nlt

God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.

John 1 verses

John 1 3 Meaning

John 1:3 unequivocally states that the pre-existent Word, Jesus Christ, is the sole Creator of everything that exists. There are no exceptions; absolutely nothing in creation came into being without His direct involvement. This highlights His divine power, authority, and essential role in the cosmos.

John 1 3 Context

John 1:3 is a pivotal verse within the Gospel of John's opening prologue (1:1-18), which functions as a theological overture to the entire book. Unlike the other Gospels that begin with Jesus' genealogy or birth, John immediately presents Jesus' eternal, divine identity as the "Logos" or "Word." Verse 1 declares the Word's pre-existence ("In the beginning"), distinct personality ("with God"), and inherent divinity ("was God"). Verse 2 reiterates His pre-existence with God, and then verse 3 logically extends this by attributing all creation to this very Word. This establishes Jesus not merely as a human Messiah, but as the cosmic Creator through whom all things came into being, laying the foundation for His unique authority, miraculous power, and redemptive work.

Historically and culturally, John's prologue resonates with both Jewish and Greek thought while subtly refuting popular beliefs. For the Jewish audience, "the Word" (Logos) would echo the Old Testament concept of God creating by His spoken word (e.g., Gen 1; Psa 33:6) and the personified wisdom (e.g., Prov 8). For the Greek audience, "Logos" was a familiar philosophical term referring to cosmic reason or order. John skillfully uses this term but infuses it with a distinctly Christian meaning: not an impersonal philosophical principle, but a personal, divine Being. The strong declaration that "without Him was not anything made" directly confronts emerging dualistic heresies (proto-Gnosticism) which often taught that a lesser, imperfect deity or spirit (Demiurge) created the physical, supposedly evil world, separate from the supreme, good God. John's emphasis on one single Word creating all things—spiritual and physical, good and evil (in terms of potential misuse, not intrinsic evil)—affirms the unity and goodness of God's entire creation through the Son, unequivocally stating that the Word made everything.

John 1 3 Word analysis

• All things (πάντα - panta): This Greek term signifies absolute universality, encompassing literally "all" that exists—visible and invisible, material and immaterial, from the smallest particle to the largest galaxy, even angelic beings. There are no exclusions. This comprehensive scope underscores the absolute and exhaustive reach of the Word's creative power, leaving no room for any part of creation to be attributed to another source.

• were made (ἐγένετο - egeneto): This aorist indicative verb, from ginomai, means "came into being" or "were brought into existence." It emphasizes the actual act of creation, the bringing forth of something that previously did not exist. It points to a definitive, completed action in the past, establishing the origin of the cosmos.

• through Him (δι’ αὐτοῦ - di' autou): The Greek preposition dia (with the genitive case) denotes means or instrumentality. The Word (Him, referring to Jesus Christ) is presented as the active agent, the one through whom God the Father accomplished His creative purpose. This establishes the Son's indispensable role in creation, working in concert with the Father, thus revealing a co-operative divine activity within the Trinity. He is the active executor of the Father's creative will.

• and without Him (καὶ χωρὶς αὐτοῦ - kai chōris autou): This phrase provides a stark, emphatic negative restatement of the first part of the verse. Chōris means "apart from" or "separate from." This powerful negation eliminates any possibility of other creators or any part of creation having an independent origin outside of the Word's agency.

• was not anything made (οὐδὲ ἕν ἐγένετο - oude hen egeneto): The strong Greek double negative "not even one thing" (οὐδὲ ἕν) underscores the absolute exclusivity and necessity of the Word in creation. It explicitly states that there is not a single entity that came into being apart from His involvement. This forcefully refutes any polytheistic notions or concepts of independent forces in creation.

• that was made (ὃ γέγονεν - ho gegonen): The perfect tense of ginomai ("that which has come into being" and remains in existence) points to the current state of created reality. This clarifies that the preceding declaration applies to everything that presently exists as a result of a past act of creation. It removes any ambiguity, emphasizing that every single created thing—the entire existing cosmos—is a direct result of the Word's creative action.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "All things were made through Him": This declarative statement immediately sets the vast scope of the Word's creative power, attributing the origin of the entire universe to Him. It establishes Jesus Christ as the universal Creator and the active instrument by which God the Father brought everything into existence, affirming His essential and personal involvement.
  • "and without Him was not anything made that was made": This emphatic second clause serves as a powerful negation and reaffirmation, leaving no doubt about the absolute necessity and exclusivity of the Word's creative role. By using a strong double negative ("not even one thing"), it unequivocally rules out any other source, power, or demiurge involved in creation. This confirms the Word's unique status as the singular agent through whom the cosmos originated and holds together.

John 1 3 Bonus section

• Pre-existence and Deity of Christ: John 1:3 is a cornerstone verse for affirming both the pre-existence of Christ before creation and His inherent deity. Creative power (creatio ex nihilo) is exclusively an attribute of God. Attributing it fully to "Him" (the Word) underscores His divine nature, making Him distinct from any created being.
• Trinitarian Co-operation (Implication): While not explicitly defining the Trinity, this verse, combined with others, implies a collaborative work within the Godhead in creation. The Father's will (ultimate source, 1 Cor 8:6), the Son's active instrumentality ("through Him"), and the Spirit's brooding presence and empowerment (Gen 1:2) demonstrate a harmonious, unified action of the three Persons in bringing forth existence.
• Foundation for Incarnation: The fact that the Word who made all things later "became flesh" (John 1:14) reveals the immense condescension and love of God. The Creator stepped into His own creation as a man.
• Addressing Heresy (Further Detail): This verse was crucial in early Christian apologetics against groups like the Marcionites, who believed the Old Testament God (Creator) was different and inferior to the New Testament God (Redeemer). John explicitly links the God of creation (through the Word) with the God of redemption, showing a single, consistent divine nature and purpose.
• The Logos as Divine Order and Meaning: Beyond merely a sound, the Word here represents God's intelligent design, divine reason, and the coherent principle by which everything was ordered and continues to cohere (Col 1:17). Creation is not chaotic but imbued with divine purpose and structure from its origin in the Word.

John 1 3 Commentary

John 1:3 profoundly articulates the pre-eminence and divine nature of Jesus Christ. Following the assertion of the Word's pre-existence and deity, this verse firmly establishes Him as the cosmic Creator. This foundational truth elevates Jesus far beyond a mere prophet or historical figure, positioning Him as the active agent through whom God brought the entire universe into being. The sweeping universality of "all things" and the emphatic double negation "not anything... that was made" eliminate any alternative or independent creative forces, underscoring the Word's exclusive and absolute involvement. This declaration is crucial to John's theological framework, as it provides the ultimate basis for Christ's authority in salvation, resurrection, and judgment. The same power that called light from darkness is capable of bringing new life to humanity. Understanding Jesus as Creator instills a profound sense of awe and reinforces His unparalleled sovereignty over all creation, from the physical world to human lives. It encourages believers to trust in His omnipotent power not only for redemption but also for sustenance and ultimate victory over chaos.