Bible Strands
1 John 3:13
So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The author of 1 John addresses fellow believers immediately after contrasting Abel's righteous deeds with Cain's evil actions. He speaks to the Christian community at a moment when external hostility is expected.
The words — The imperative μὴ θαυμάζετε (mē thaumazete) commands "do not be surprised," while μισεῖ (misei) denotes the active "hates" directed toward the readers. These verbs establish the hostility as a predictable outcome rather than an unexpected event.
The thread — This expectation of hostility appears in John 15:18, which notes the world hated Jesus first, and John 17:14, which states the world hates believers because they are not of it. It parallels Luke 21:17, which predicts universal hatred because of his name.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to accept persecution as a standard result of living righteously rather than a sign of failure. It demands a continued commitment to loving fellow believers despite external opposition.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
Cross-references
- John 15:18 If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first.
- John 17:14 I have given them Your word and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
- Luke 21:17 And you will be hated by everyone because of My name.
- Mark 13:13 You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.
- Luke 6:22 Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man.
- 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
- James 4:4 You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.
- Ecclesiastes 5:8 If you see the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished at the matter; for one official is watched by a superior, and others higher still are over them.
- Matthew 10:22 You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.
- Matthew 24:9 Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.