John 1:10

Berean Standard Bible
He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.
 
King James Bible
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
 
NET Bible
He was in the world, and the world was created by him, but the world did not recognize him.
 
Greek Text:
ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ ἦν, καὶ ὁ κόσμος δι' αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο, καὶ ὁ κόσμος αὐτὸν οὐκ ἔγνω.
 
Transliteration:
en tō kosmō ēn, kai ho kosmos di' autou egeneto, kai ho kosmos auton ouk egnō.
 
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Study Bible:
 
He was in the world
This phrase introduces the profound mystery of the Incarnation, where the eternal Word, Jesus Christ, entered the temporal realm. The Greek word for "world" is "kosmos," which often refers to the created order, including humanity. Theologically, this emphasizes the humility and condescension of Christ, who, though divine, chose to dwell among His creation. Historically, this reflects the period of Jesus' earthly ministry, a pivotal moment in salvation history.
 
and though the world was made through Him
Here, the text affirms the pre-existence and creative power of Christ. The Greek word "dia" (through) indicates that Jesus was the agent of creation, aligning with Genesis 1:1 and Colossians 1:16. This underscores His divine nature and authority over all creation. Theologically, it highlights the paradox of the Creator entering His creation, a profound act of love and redemption.
 
the world did not recognize Him
This phrase captures the tragic irony of the Incarnation. Despite being the Creator, Jesus was not acknowledged by His own creation. The Greek word "egnō" (recognize) implies a failure to perceive or understand. This reflects the spiritual blindness and hardness of heart prevalent in humanity. Scripturally, it echoes themes from Isaiah 53:3, where the Messiah is described as despised and rejected. This rejection is a central theme in the Gospel narrative, illustrating the need for divine revelation and grace for true recognition of Christ.
 
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Commentary:
 
He was in the world - This refers to Jesus Christ being present in the physical world. The Gospel of John, particularly in its opening chapter, emphasizes the pre-existence of Christ, suggesting that Jesus, described here as the Word (Logos in Greek), was not only with God from the beginning but was also God (John 1:1). His incarnation, where the divine becomes human, is a key doctrine in Christianity.
 
The world was made through Him - This part echoes the creation narrative where all things were made through the Word. John 1:3 states, "All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made." This underscores the belief in Jesus' role in creation, aligning with the theological idea that Jesus is the agent through whom God created the universe.
 
The world did not know Him - This is a poignant statement about the human condition and the reception of Jesus. Despite Jesus being the creator and sustainer of the world, humanity largely did not recognize or acknowledge His divine nature. This can be interpreted in various ways:
 
Historical - During Jesus' time, many did not recognize Him as the Messiah or the Son of God.
 
Spiritual - It points to the spiritual blindness or ignorance of humanity in recognizing divine truth.
 
Ongoing - Even today, many do not acknowledge or understand Jesus' significance according to Christian belief.
 
This verse sets up the narrative of Jesus' rejection by the very world He came to save, which is a theme that runs throughout the Gospel of John. It prepares the reader for the tension between light and darkness, belief and unbelief, which are recurring motifs in John's Gospel.
 
In summary, John 1:10 is a theological statement about the identity of Jesus, His relationship to creation, and the tragic irony of His unrecognized presence among humanity.