John 1:10 — What Did John Really Mean?

A Study of the Greek Word ἐγένετο (egeneto)

Research by Simon Brown

John 1:10 is one of the most frequently quoted passages by Trinitarians in an attempt to prove that Jesus created the Genesis world.

Most modern Bible translations render the verse something like this:

"He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him."

Because of this wording, millions of Christians naturally conclude that John is speaking about the original creation recorded in Genesis.

But is that really what John wrote?

I believe this verse deserves much closer examination.

The Key Word

The Greek word translated "was made" is:

ἐγένετο (egeneto)

This single word is the foundation of the entire discussion.

The Greek verb ἐγένετο occurs over 200 times throughout the New Testament and carries a wide range of meanings, including:

• came to pass
• happened
• occurred
• became
• took place
• came about
• was fulfilled

Notice that these meanings do not automatically refer to the creation of something. Instead, they frequently describe events taking place or prophecies being fulfilled.

Matthew 1:22

One clear example is found in the account of Jesus' birth.

"Now all this has come to pass (ἐγένετο), so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled."

(Matthew 1:22)

Here the same Greek word ἐγένετο clearly means:

"came to pass."

It certainly does not mean:

"came into existence."

Nor does it describe the creation of anything.

Instead, it describes God's prophetic plan being fulfilled exactly as He promised.

My Understanding of John 1:10

After comparing the use of ἐγένετο throughout the New Testament, I believe John may be using the word in exactly the same prophetic sense.

For this reason, my own understanding of John 1:10 is:

"He was in the world, and through Him the world came to pass, yet the world did not know Him."

In other words, I understand John to be saying that God's purpose for the world is accomplished through His Messiah.

The entire plan of redemption, foretold by the prophets for centuries, reaches its fulfilment through Jesus Christ.

The world's salvation, God's Kingdom, the New Covenant, the resurrection, eternal life, and the New Creation all come to pass through Him.

Yet despite His coming, the world failed to recognise Him.

Does This Agree With Other Scriptures?

I believe it does.

Paul writes:

"Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we exist."

(1 Corinthians 8:6)

Notice Paul's careful distinction.

There is:

One God—the Father—from whom are all things.

And there is:

One Lord—Jesus Christ—through whom are all things.

Throughout Paul's writings, Christ is repeatedly presented as the One through whom God carries out His redemptive work.

Everything in God's plan comes through His Son.

The New Creation

The New Testament continually teaches that God's new creation comes through Christ.

Paul writes:

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation."

(2 Corinthians 5:17)

Likewise,

"He has rescued us from the authority of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son."

(Colossians 1:13)

Everything associated with God's eternal purpose comes through Jesus Christ.

This includes salvation.

The Kingdom of God.

The resurrection.

The New Covenant.

The New Creation.

In this sense, I believe John is saying that the world, as God intended it to become through His Messiah, comes to pass through Christ.

Jude Confirms the One True God

Jude concludes his letter by writing:

"To the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."

(Jude 1:25)

Notice the order.

The Father alone is called:

"the only God."

Yet all glory is given through Jesus Christ our Lord.

This perfectly reflects the consistent New Testament pattern.

The Father is the source.

The Son is God's appointed Messiah through whom His purposes are accomplished.

The Birth of Jesus

Matthew again uses the same Greek word when describing the fulfilment of prophecy.

"Now all this has come to pass (ἐγένετο), so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled."

(Matthew 1:22)

Matthew immediately quotes Isaiah's prophecy:

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel."

Again, ἐγένετο means "came to pass."

It refers to God's promises becoming reality.

My Conclusion

After studying the use of ἐγένετο throughout the New Testament, I believe John 1:10 has often been understood too narrowly.

Rather than describing the Genesis creation, I believe John may be speaking about the fulfilment of God's redemptive purpose through His Messiah.

Accordingly, I understand John 1:10 to read:

"He was in the world, and through Him the world came to pass, yet the world did not know Him."

This understanding harmonises, in my view, with passages such as Matthew 1:22, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Colossians 1:13, and Jude 1:25, all of which present the Father as the one true God who accomplishes His eternal purpose through His Son.

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