Devine Scripture

1 John 3:13

What does 1 John 3:13 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 John 3:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 John 3:13 means

“Marvel not” alerts believers to adjust expectations. If the world hated the righteous brother and favored the murderous Cain, it will hate those who belong to God. The world—organized society apart from God—does not recognize the Father (verse 1) and so does not welcome His children. Hostility is not a sign of failure but a confirmation of identity. This sober realism steadies believers. Instead of seeking the world’s applause, they rest in the Father’s love and the fellowship of the brethren. Their call is to love in a loveless world, even when that love is met with contempt.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Marvel not, brethren, if the world hateth you.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Marvel not, brethren, if the world hateth you.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world has no love for you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Do not wonder, my brethren, if the world doth hate you;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Wonder not, brethren, if the world hate you.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Do not wonder, brethren, if the world hate you.

Context

After recalling Cain’s hatred (verse 12), John normalizes the world’s hostility. This clears the ground for positive assurance in verse 14, where love for fellow believers evidences life. The sequence contrasts external opposition with internal confirmation: do not be surprised by hatred from without; be assured by love within. This prepares for the strong statement in verse 15 that hatred is akin to murder and incompatible with eternal life. John is helping his readers navigate a hostile environment without losing heart or altering the gospel’s ethic.

v.12not 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.

v.13This passage

v.14We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in death.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 8:7

    because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be:

  • Luke 6:22

    Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.

  • John 17:14

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

  • John 16:2

    They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God.

  • James 4:4

    Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God.

  • John 3:7

    Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born anew.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore 1 John 3

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on 1 John 3.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to 1 John 3:13.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary