1 John 3:13

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Marvel {G2296} not {G3361}, my {G3450} brethren {G80}, if {G1487} the world {G2889} hate {G3404} you {G5209}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don’t be amazed, brothers, if the world hates you.

Berean Standard Bible

So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you.

American Standard Version

Marvel not, brethren, if the world hateth you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 John 3:13 serves as a sobering yet foundational warning to believers, urging them not to be surprised or dismayed by the world's inevitable hostility. This verse underscores the inherent spiritual conflict between the children of God and a world system alienated from divine truth, setting an expectation for opposition that paradoxically affirms a believer's distinct identity and alignment with Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a crucial section of John's first epistle that delineates the characteristics of true believers versus those who do not belong to God. Immediately preceding [1 John 3:13](/1_john/3-13 "1 John 3:13 - The World's Hatred"), John has just declared the astonishing truth that believers are "children of God" ([1 John 3:1](/1_john/3-1 "1 John 3:1 - We Are Children of God")), a profound identity that carries with it both privilege and responsibility. He then contrasts righteous living with sin, stating that "everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him" ([1 John 2:29](/1_john/2-29 "1 John 2:29 - Practicing Righteousness")). The chapter moves to distinguish between those who practice righteousness and those who practice sin, culminating in the stark example of Cain and Abel, where Cain's hatred of Abel is presented as a paradigm of the world's animosity towards the righteous ([1 John 3:12](/1_john/3-12 "1 John 3:12 - Cain Kills Abel")). Thus, [1 John 3:13](/1_john/3-13 "1 John 3:13 - The World's Hatred") logically follows, explaining *why* such hatred exists and why believers should not be surprised by it.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Christian communities to whom John wrote faced significant external pressures and internal challenges. They lived in a Greco-Roman world that was largely pagan, often hostile to monotheism, and particularly suspicious of a new, rapidly growing movement that challenged traditional deities and social structures. Christians were often misunderstood, accused of various crimes (like cannibalism for communion, or atheism for rejecting Roman gods), and subjected to persecution, ranging from social ostracism to violent martyrdom. Furthermore, within the church, false teachers (likely Gnostics or proto-Gnostics) were spreading doctrines that denied the true humanity of Christ and promoted a dualistic worldview, leading to moral laxity or spiritual elitism. John's epistle, therefore, served as both a theological corrective and a pastoral encouragement, fortifying believers against both external antagonism and internal doctrinal corruption.
* **Key Themes:** [1 John](/1_john/1 "The First Epistle of John") is replete with foundational themes that resonate within [1 John 3:13](/1_john/3-13 "1 John 3:13 - The World's Hatred"). A primary theme is the **distinction between light and darkness**, where believers are called to walk in the light, while the world remains in darkness ([1 John 1:5-7](/1_john/1-5-7 "1 John 1:5-7 - Walking in the Light")). Closely related is the theme of **true sonship and identity in Christ**, emphasizing that those born of God will live righteously and love one another ([1 John 2:29-3:10](/1_john/2-29-3-10 "1 John 2:29-3:10 - Children of God and Practice of Righteousness")). The verse also highlights the **spiritual conflict** inherent in the Christian life, where the "world" (understood as a system opposed to God) will inevitably persecute those who bear God's image. Finally, the overarching theme of **love** is crucial; while the world hates, believers are commanded to love one another, demonstrating their divine origin ([1 John 3:11-18](/1_john/3-11-18 "1 John 3:11-18 - Love for One Another")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Marvel (Greek, _thaumázō'_):** From *thaûma*, meaning "to wonder" or "to be astonished." John's use of this word in the imperative, "Marvel not" (with the negative particle *mḗ*), is a direct command to avoid surprise or shock. It implies that the hatred from the world is not an anomaly but a predictable and expected reality for those who follow Christ. The command is not to be emotionally indifferent, but to be spiritually prepared and not caught off guard.
* **World (Greek, _kósmos'_):** This term, derived from the base of *komízō* (to care for, arrange), signifies an "orderly arrangement" or "decoration." However, in Johannine theology, *kósmos* often takes on a moral and spiritual connotation, referring to the fallen human system, alienated from God, under the sway of sin and darkness. It is humanity organized apart from God, embodying values and desires contrary to His will. This is distinct from the physical creation, which God loves ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")).
* **Hate (Greek, _miséō'_):** From a primary root signifying "hatred," this verb means "to detest," "to abhor," or "to persecute." It describes a deep-seated animosity, not merely dislike or disagreement. In this context, it refers to the active hostility and opposition directed by the world system against believers, stemming from a fundamental spiritual incompatibility and rejection of God's truth and light.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Marvel not, my brethren":** This opening phrase is a direct, pastoral exhortation from John to his fellow believers. "Marvel not" (μὴ θαυμάζετε, *mē thaumázete*) is an imperative, a command to cease being surprised or astonished. It sets a tone of realistic expectation, indicating that the subsequent condition is not an aberration but a predictable outcome. The address "my brethren" (ἀδελφοί μου, *adelphoí mou*) emphasizes the familial bond and shared experience within the Christian community, softening the potentially harsh reality of the warning and fostering solidarity.
* **"if the world hate you":** The conditional particle "if" (ἐάν, *ean*, here from *ei* G1487) introduces a premise that is not merely hypothetical but assumed to be true or highly probable. It functions more like "since" or "in the event that." "The world" (ὁ κόσμος, *ho kósmos*) here refers to the system of human society and values that is estranged from God and operates in opposition to His will. This "world" is characterized by its rejection of Christ and His followers. "Hate you" (μισῇ ὑμᾶς, *misē hūmâs*) describes the active, often intense, animosity that this world system directs toward those who belong to Christ. This hatred is not arbitrary but flows from the world's inherent darkness and opposition to divine light.

#### Literary Devices
John employs several literary devices to convey his message powerfully. The use of the **Imperative Mood** ("Marvel not") immediately establishes a direct, authoritative, and pastoral tone, commanding the readers' attention and shaping their perspective. There is a strong **Contrast** or **Antithesis** drawn between "my brethren" (those who belong to God) and "the world" (that which is alienated from God). This stark opposition highlights the fundamental spiritual divide. The phrase "if the world hate you" functions as a form of **Foreshadowing** or **Proleptic Statement**, preparing the audience for an inevitable reality rather than a mere possibility. This prepares them emotionally and spiritually for future persecution. Furthermore, the verse carries a **Didactic Tone**, instructing believers on how to interpret and respond to external hostility, ensuring they are not spiritually derailed by it.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the inherent spiritual conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness, a theme woven throughout biblical theology. The world's hatred of believers is not a personal affront but a manifestation of its rejection of Christ Himself. Just as Cain hated Abel because Abel's deeds were righteous and Cain's were evil ([Genesis 4:8](/genesis/4-8 "Genesis 4:8 - Cain Kills Abel")), so too does the world hate those who walk in God's light because their righteous lives expose the world's darkness and sin. This truth serves as a vital reminder that suffering for righteousness' sake is a mark of genuine discipleship, aligning believers with the suffering of Christ.

* [John 15:18-19](/john/15-18-19 "John 15:18-19 - The World Hates You")
* [Matthew 10:22](/matthew/10-22 "Matthew 10:22 - Hated by All")
* [Luke 6:22](/luke/6-22 "Luke 6:22 - Blessed When Hated")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 John 3:13 offers a profound lens through which believers can understand their experience in a world often hostile to their faith. It calls us to a posture of realistic expectation, reminding us that opposition is not an anomaly but a predictable consequence of our distinct identity in Christ. When we face misunderstanding, ridicule, or outright animosity for our beliefs, this verse encourages us not to be surprised or disheartened, but to recognize it as a sign of our alignment with God's truth. It compels us to examine our lives: if we are truly living as children of God, embodying righteousness and love, then the world's hatred becomes an ironic affirmation of our spiritual authenticity. This understanding should not lead to bitterness or isolation, but rather to a deeper reliance on God and a renewed commitment to the love that distinguishes us as Christ's followers, especially towards one another.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways have you experienced the "world's hatred" for your faith, and how did you respond?**
* **How does understanding the spiritual nature of this hatred change your perspective on it?**
* **What does it mean to "marvel not" in practical terms when facing opposition?**
* **How can the community of believers better support one another when facing external hostility?**

### FAQ
**Why does "the world" hate believers, according to John?**

Answer: According to John, "the world" (referring to humanity organized apart from God and under the sway of sin) hates believers primarily because it first hated Jesus Christ ([John 15:18](/john/15-18 "John 15:18 - The World Hates Jesus")). Believers are chosen "out of the world" ([John 15:19](/john/15-19 "John 15:19 - Chosen Out of the World")) and bear the light of Christ, which exposes the world's darkness and evil deeds ([John 3:19-20](/john/3-19-20 "John 3:19-20 - Men Loved Darkness Rather Than Light")). This hatred is not merely personal animosity but a spiritual conflict stemming from the world's rejection of God's truth, righteousness, and the very nature of divine love that believers are called to embody.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 John 3:13 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. His life was the quintessential demonstration of righteousness in a fallen world, and consequently, He was the primary object of the world's hatred. Jesus Himself warned His disciples, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you" ([John 15:18](/john/15-18 "John 15:18 - The World Hates Jesus")). He came into the world, yet "the world did not know him" ([John 1:10](/john/1-10 "John 1:10 - The World Did Not Know Him")), and ultimately, "his own people did not receive him" ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - His Own Did Not Receive Him")). The cross stands as the supreme testament to the world's hatred for divine truth and love, as it crucified the very Son of God. Therefore, when believers experience the world's animosity, they are not experiencing something new or unexpected, but are rather participating in the suffering of Christ ([Philippians 3:10](/philippians/3-10 "Philippians 3:10 - Sharing in His Sufferings")), bearing witness to His truth, and identifying with the One who was "despised and rejected by men" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected")). This shared experience of rejection, paradoxically, deepens our union with Him and foreshadows the ultimate triumph of His kingdom over the world's system ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Has Become the Kingdom of Our Lord")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 15:18

¶ If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you.

John 15:19

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

John 17:14

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Luke 21:17

And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake.

James 4:4

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

2 Timothy 3:12

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Mark 13:13

And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.