When the gospel writer John speaks of “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being” (v.3), he emphasizes that Jesus, referred to here as the Word (John 1:1), is not just a messenger but the originator of all creation. This statement shows that everything in the universe owes its existence to Him, reinforcing His divinity and pre-existence before the world began. Many early Christian communities saw this teaching as central, highlighting that Jesus is more than a teacher; He is the creative power behind the cosmos (Colossians 1:16).
In “All things came into being through Him” (v.3), the term “through Him” conveys that the Word is the instrument of creation, in perfect unity with God the Father. Nothing in this verse identifies a specific geographic location, but the setting is timeless—referring to the moment of creation itself. Historically, Jesus of Nazareth, born around 4 BC to AD 6 (as there is debate over exact birth dates) and crucified around AD 30-33, is here declared to be present from eternity past, coexisting with God before any location or timeline even existed.
When John adds “apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being” (v.3), he underscores that no creature or created thing is outside the work of Christ. This inclusion of all things, encompassing both spiritual and physical realms, lifts Jesus above every created reality. This sweeping statement of His authority helps us see prophecy in the Old Testament (Micah 5:2) fulfilled in the New Testament, where Jesus is revealed as the sovereign Lord over all.
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John 1:3 meaning
When the gospel writer John speaks of “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being” (v.3), he emphasizes that Jesus, referred to here as the Word (John 1:1), is not just a messenger but the originator of all creation. This statement shows that everything in the universe owes its existence to Him, reinforcing His divinity and pre-existence before the world began. Many early Christian communities saw this teaching as central, highlighting that Jesus is more than a teacher; He is the creative power behind the cosmos (Colossians 1:16).
In “All things came into being through Him” (v.3), the term “through Him” conveys that the Word is the instrument of creation, in perfect unity with God the Father. Nothing in this verse identifies a specific geographic location, but the setting is timeless—referring to the moment of creation itself. Historically, Jesus of Nazareth, born around 4 BC to AD 6 (as there is debate over exact birth dates) and crucified around AD 30-33, is here declared to be present from eternity past, coexisting with God before any location or timeline even existed.
When John adds “apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being” (v.3), he underscores that no creature or created thing is outside the work of Christ. This inclusion of all things, encompassing both spiritual and physical realms, lifts Jesus above every created reality. This sweeping statement of His authority helps us see prophecy in the Old Testament (Micah 5:2) fulfilled in the New Testament, where Jesus is revealed as the sovereign Lord over all.