Paragraph 1:10–13

When Jesus came into the world, some people accepted him but many did not.

1:10a

He was in the world: He refers to the Word. In some languages it may help to make this explicit. For example:

The Word was in the world. (Good News Translation)

Scholars disagree about the time this clause refers to. Many think that this refers to Jesus’ presence in the world in Old Testament times. Then verse 11 says that he came to his own, which refers to Jesus’ birth on earth. Many other scholars, however, think that this clause refers to his life on earth in the gospels. Verse 10 shows the reaction of the Gentiles, while verse 11 shows the reaction of the Jews. The Greek is not clear what time is meant. If possible, translate in a way that allows for both understandings.

in the world: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in the world refers mainly to the world as the place where people live.

1:10b

the world was made through Him: This refers back to 1:3a–b. See the notes there. Here is another way to translate this clause:

the world was made through him (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
the world was made by him (New Century Version)
-or-
God had made the world through his Word

1:10c

the world did not recognize Him: The clause the world did not recognize Him means “the people in the world did not know who Jesus was.” They did not recognize him as the Word, their Creator. In some languages it is more natural to include “people” here. For example:

The ⌊people of⌋ the world did not recognize him ⌊as the one who created them⌋ .

General Comment on 1:10a–c

1:10c tells something that is surprising or not expected in view of the information in 1:10a–b. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this by using the word “though.” Here are other ways to indicate this surprise:

He was in the world; but the world, though it existed only because of him, did not recognize him.
-or-
The Word was in the world, and though God made the world through him, yet the world did not recognize him. (Good News Translation)
-or-
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. (New Living Translation (2004))

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