John 1:3 (KJV)

What does John 1:3 mean?

John 1:3 says that the Word was involved in the making of everything that came into existence. The verse presents the Word as the one through whom all created things came to be, with no created thing left outside that account.

The narrator calls the Word “him,” referring back to the opening lines of John’s account. John 1:3 makes its point first with “all things,” then reinforces it with “without him,” leaving no exception.

The Greek behind John 1:3

• “made” — γίνομαι (ginomai): This word can carry the sense of “come into being.” Here, it points to things coming into existence, rather than only to the shaping of material already there.

• “thing” — εἷς (heis): This word can mean “one.” In the phrase “not any thing,” it gives the sense that not even one thing that came into being was an exception.

Why John 1:3 matters

• John identifies the Word with a person later in the passage. John 1:14 says that “the Word was made flesh,” and John 1:17 names Jesus Christ.

• John 1:3 places the Word on the side of the one through whom things were made. The verse speaks of “all things” coming to be through him, rather than presenting him as one of those things.