John 1:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

All things {G3956} were made {G1096} by {G1223} him {G846}; and {G2532} without {G5565} him {G846} was {G1096} not {G3761} any thing {G1520} made {G1096} that {G3739} was made {G1096}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing made had being.

Berean Standard Bible

Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.

American Standard Version

All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 1:3 profoundly declares the absolute and universal creative agency of Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of God. It asserts that every single thing in existence was brought into being through Him, and emphatically states that nothing created came into being apart from His direct involvement. This verse lays a foundational truth about the deity and pre-eminence of Christ, establishing His integral role in the very fabric of the cosmos before detailing His incarnation and redemptive work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 1:3 is an integral part of John's theological prologue (John 1:1-18), which introduces Jesus Christ as the pre-existent, divine "Word" (Greek: _Logos_). Following the profound declarations in [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God") that the Word was with God and was God, and [John 1:2](/john/1-2 "John 1:2 - The Word with God in the Beginning") confirming His eternal co-existence with God, verse 3 immediately establishes the Word's active role in creation. This placement is crucial, as it grounds the Word's divine identity not just in His relationship with God, but also in His sovereign power over all that exists. The subsequent verses in the prologue, such as [John 1:4-5](/john/1-4-5 "John 1:4-5 - Life and Light"), then elaborate on the Word as the source of life and light, further building on the foundation of His creative power. The prologue as a whole serves as a theological lens through which the entire Gospel narrative of Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection is to be understood, emphasizing His divine origin and cosmic significance from the outset.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of the "Logos" (Word) in John's prologue would have resonated with both Jewish and Hellenistic audiences. For Jewish readers, "Word" (Hebrew: _Davar_) often referred to God's active power in creation and revelation, as seen in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") where God creates by speaking, and in wisdom literature (e.g., [Proverbs 8:22-31](/proverbs/8-22-31 "Proverbs 8:22-31 - Wisdom's Role in Creation")) where Wisdom is personified as co-existent with God and instrumental in creation. For Hellenistic (Greek) thinkers, _Logos_ carried philosophical weight, often referring to the divine reason or principle that orders the universe. John masterfully employs this term, filling it with uniquely Christian meaning by identifying this cosmic _Logos_ as a distinct person, Jesus Christ, who became flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). By attributing all creation to the _Logos_ in verse 3, John asserts Christ's supremacy over all other philosophical concepts of a mediating principle, and over any created being or force, firmly placing Him as the uncreated Creator.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is foundational to several key theological themes within John's Gospel and broader Christian theology. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **The Deity of Christ**, unequivocally attributing the act of creation—a prerogative solely belonging to God—to the Word. This is a direct affirmation of Jesus' divine nature, reinforcing the claims made in [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"). Secondly, it highlights **Christ's Essential Role in Creation**, establishing Him not merely as a prophet or a wise teacher, but as the active agent through whom the entire cosmos came into being. This theme is echoed throughout the New Testament, as seen in [Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer") and [Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - God Speaks Through His Son"). Thirdly, the verse emphasizes **The Universality and Exclusivity of Christ's Creative Power**, using the comprehensive phrase "all things" and the emphatic double negative "without him was not any thing made that was made." This leaves no room for any aspect of creation, seen or unseen, to exist independently of Christ's agency, asserting His absolute sovereignty over all reality.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **All things (Greek, _pâs'_):** This word, G3956, signifies "all, any, every, the whole." In the context of John 1:3, its use is absolute and comprehensive, leaving no exceptions. It emphasizes the totality of creation—visible and invisible, material and spiritual—as having its origin in the Word. The breadth of this term underscores the boundless scope of Christ's creative power.
* **were made (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This verb, G1096, means "to cause to be," "to become," or "to come into being." It speaks to the active process of creation, not merely a passive state. The aorist tense (in the original Greek) indicates a completed action in the past, referring to the initial act of creation. The use of _gínomai_ here, rather than a verb like _poieō_ (to make or do), often emphasizes the origin or coming into existence of something, perfectly suiting the context of creation.
* **by (Greek, _diá'_):** This preposition, G1223, denotes the "channel of an act" or "through." It indicates the agency or instrumentality. When used with the genitive case (as it is with "him" in this verse), it signifies the means or instrument by which something is accomplished. Thus, "by him" means "through Him" or "by means of Him," clearly identifying the Word as the active agent or intermediary in the creative process, not merely a passive observer.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All things were made by him":** This opening clause asserts the universal scope of the Word's creative work. "All things" (Greek: _panta_) is an unqualified statement, encompassing the entire cosmos—from the smallest atom to the grandest galaxy, including all life and even spiritual realities (as understood in Colossians 1:16). The phrase "were made by him" (Greek: _di' autou egeneto_) signifies that the Word was the active, instrumental agent through whom everything came into being. This is a direct declaration of Christ's pre-existence and His essential, active role in the initial act of creation, establishing Him as the uncreated Creator.
* **"and without him was not any thing made that was made.":** This second clause functions as an emphatic reiteration and intensification of the first, using a strong double negative in the original Greek ("_ouden... ou_"). It means, literally, "and apart from him not even one thing came into being that has come into being." This serves to eliminate any possible exception to the Word's creative activity. It categorically denies the existence of anything that did not originate through Him, underscoring His absolute sovereignty and exclusivity in the creative process. The repetition of "made that was made" (Greek: _ho gegonen_) further emphasizes that every existing entity, every "thing that has come into being," owes its existence solely to the Word.

#### Literary Devices
John 1:3 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its profound theological truth. The most prominent is **Emphasis through Repetition and Negation**. The verse first states positively that "All things were made by him," and then immediately reinforces this with a strong negative assertion: "and without him was not any thing made that was made." This double affirmation, first positive then negative, creates an undeniable and absolute statement, leaving no room for exceptions. The use of the comprehensive term "**All things**" (Greek: _panta_) functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Universality**, ensuring that the reader understands the boundless scope of Christ's creative power. Furthermore, the phrase "that was made" (Greek: _ho gegonen_) at the end of the verse serves as a **Pleonasm** in a sense, but primarily as a device for **Intensification**, emphasizing that every single thing that has come into existence, without exception, did so through the Word. This precise and emphatic language underscores the Word's unique and indispensable role in creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 1:3 is a cornerstone of Christian theology, establishing the pre-existence and deity of Jesus Christ by attributing the very act of creation to Him. This aligns Christ directly with God the Father as the sole source of all being, challenging any notion that He is merely a created being or a lesser deity. Theologically, if all things were made through Him, then He is inherently superior to all creation, possessing divine authority and power. This truth underpins His redemptive work, for only the Creator could effectively redeem and reconcile His creation. It also implies His ongoing sustenance of the universe, as the one who brought it into being also upholds it. The verse thus lays the groundwork for understanding Jesus not just as a historical figure, but as the cosmic Christ, central to God's plan for creation and salvation.

* [Genesis 1:1](/genesis/1-1 "Genesis 1:1 - God Creates the Heavens and the Earth")
* [Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")
* [Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "God Speaks Through His Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Understanding that Jesus, the One who walked the dusty roads of Galilee, healed the sick, and ultimately died on a cross for our sins, is the very Creator of the universe, profoundly reshapes our perception of Him and our place in the world. This truth calls us to a deeper sense of awe and worship, recognizing His infinite power, wisdom, and sovereignty. If "all things were made by him," then every sunrise, every intricate living organism, every law of physics, every human life, bears the imprint of His design and purpose. This provides immense comfort and confidence, knowing that the Creator of the cosmos is intimately involved in our lives, capable of sustaining us through any circumstance and working all things according to His perfect will. It also challenges us to treat His creation with reverence and care, seeing it as a testament to His glory. Moreover, if we ourselves are "made by Him," then our very existence has divine purpose and meaning, inviting us to live in alignment with His creative intent for our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that "all things were made by him" impact your understanding of Jesus' authority and power in your own life?**
* **In what ways does recognizing Christ as Creator influence how you view the natural world and your responsibility towards it?**
* **If nothing was made without Him, what does this imply about the origin of evil or suffering, and how does this verse help or challenge your understanding?**

### FAQ
**Does "all things" include evil or sin?**

Answer: No, the phrase "all things" in [John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made By Him") refers to all created existence, the universe and everything in it, as originally brought into being by God. It speaks to the created order, the good and perfect world God intended. Evil and sin are not created entities; rather, they are the result of the corruption of good creation through the choices of moral agents (angels and humans) who rebelled against God's will. God created a world with the capacity for free will, and the misuse of that freedom introduced sin and evil, which are distortions of His good creation, not His direct creative acts.

**How does John 1:3 relate to God the Father's role in creation?**

Answer: John 1:3 affirms that "all things were made by him" (the Word), but this does not diminish the Father's role; rather, it clarifies the divine unity in creation. Christian theology understands creation as a work of the triune God. The Father is the ultimate source and planner of creation, the Son (the Word) is the active agent or instrument through whom creation occurs, and the Holy Spirit is the sustainer and enabler (as seen in [Genesis 1:2](/genesis/1-2 "Genesis 1:2 - Spirit Hovering Over Waters")). So, while the Father is the ultimate author, the Son is the one through whom the Father's creative will is executed. This verse highlights the Word's essential and active participation in the divine act of creation, demonstrating His co-equality and co-eternality with the Father.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 1:3, declaring Christ as the Creator of "all things," sets the stage for His ultimate work of redemption and new creation. The One through whom the cosmos was brought into being is also the One through whom it is reconciled and renewed. His creative power is not merely a historical fact but an ongoing reality that undergirds His capacity to save and transform. Just as He spoke the world into existence, He speaks new life into those who are spiritually dead ([John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Hearing His Word and Having Eternal Life")). The cosmic scope of His creative work foreshadows the cosmic scope of His redemptive work, where He is not only the Creator but also the Head of the new creation ([Colossians 1:15-20](/colossians/1-15-20 "Colossians 1:15-20 - Christ's Supremacy and Reconciliation")). The brokenness of the first creation due to sin is overcome by the perfect, redemptive work of the Creator Himself, who became flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")) to reconcile all things to Himself ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). Ultimately, the "all things" made by Him will be fully restored and brought to their glorious completion in Him, culminating in a new heaven and a new earth where He reigns supreme ([Revelation 21:1-5](/revelation/21-1-5 "Revelation 21:1-5 - New Heaven and New Earth")). Thus, the creative power revealed in John 1:3 is the very foundation of our hope for redemption and eternal life in Christ.

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

Colossians 1:16

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Colossians 1:17

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

1 Corinthians 8:6

But to us [there is but] one God, the Father, of whom [are] all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom [are] all things, and we by him.

Revelation 4:11

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Psalms 33:6

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

Genesis 1:26

¶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

John 1:10

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.