1 John 3:12
What does 1 John 3:12 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 John 3:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 John 3:12 means
Cain is the paradigm of lovelessness. He was “of the evil one,” showing his spiritual lineage, and he “slew his brother.” John probes the motive: Cain’s deeds were evil, and Abel’s were righteous; envy and resentment of righteousness bred violence. This warns believers not to imitate Cain by letting jealousy or pride ferment into hatred. The world often resents those whose lives expose its darkness. Cain’s way is the opposite of family love. By holding up this stark example, John teaches that true righteousness produces love, while wickedness resents and attacks what is good.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000not as Cain was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901not as Cain was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Not being of the Evil One like Cain, who put his brother to death. And why did he put him to death? Because his works were evil and his brother's works were good.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862not as Cain--of the evil one he was, and he did slay his brother, and wherefore did he slay him? because his works were evil, and those of his brother righteous.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Not as Cain, who was of the wicked one and killed his brother. And wherefore did he kill him? Because his own works were wicked: and his brother's just.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890not as Cain was of the wicked one, and slew his brother; and on account of what slew he him? because his works were wicked, and those of his brother righteous.
Context
John illustrates the command to love (verse 11) by pointing to its violation in Genesis’ first fratricide. This prepares readers for verse 13’s warning about the world’s hatred and for verse 14’s assurance linked to love. The logic is: do not be like Cain, expect the world’s hostility, and let love be the evidence of life, not hatred. Cain’s example roots John’s ethics in Scripture’s earliest narratives and aligns with the earlier contrast between God’s children and the devil’s offspring. The pathway of Cain exemplifies the devil’s works mentioned in verse 8.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 4:25
And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For, said she, God hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel; for Cain slew him.
- Luke 11:51
from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary: yea, I say unto you, it shall be required of this generation.
- 1 Peter 4:4
wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
- Psalms 38:20
They also that render evil for good Are adversaries unto me, because I follow the thing that is good.
- Proverbs 29:27
An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous; And he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.
- 1 Samuel 22:14
Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who among all thy servants is so faithful as David, who is the king’s son-in-law, and is taken into thy council, and is honorable in thy house?
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