John Calvin Commentary John 1:10

"He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not." — John 1:10 (ASV)

He was in the world. He accuses men of ingratitude because, of their own accord, as it were, they were so blinded that the source of the light they enjoyed was unknown to them.

This extends to every age of the world. Before Christ was manifested in the flesh, His power was everywhere displayed; therefore, those daily effects ought to have corrected the stupidity of men.

What can be more unreasonable than to draw water from a running stream and never to think of the fountain from which that stream flows?

It follows that no proper excuse can be found for the world's ignorance in not knowing Christ before He was manifested in the flesh. This ignorance arose from the indolence and wicked stupidity of those who had opportunities of seeing Him always present by His power.

The whole may be summed up by saying that Christ was never so absent from the world that men, aroused by His rays, were not still obligated to raise their eyes toward Him. Therefore, the blame must be imputed to themselves.