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1 John 3:13 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
¹³Do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you.

Do not be surprised. Do not think it so unusual or so little to be expected as to excite astonishment.

If the world hates you. The emphasis here is to be placed on the word you. The apostle had just adverted to the fact that Cain hated Abel, his brother, without cause, and he says that they were not to deem it strange if the world hated them in like manner. The Savior (John 15:17-18) introduced these subjects in the same connection. In enjoining the duty of brotherly love on his disciples, he adverts to the fact that they must expect to be hated by the world and tells them to remember that the world hated him before it hated them. The object of all this was to show more clearly the necessity of strong and tender mutual affection among Christians since they could hope for none from the world.

The friendship of the world they were not to expect, but they were not to be deterred from their work by its hatred. They had seen the example of Jesus. No opposition of the proud, the wealthy, the learned, or the men of power, no persecution or taunts, had deterred him from his work. Remembering this and having his example steadily in the eye, they were to labor not less because wicked men should oppose and deride them. It is enough for the disciple to be as his Master and the servant as his Lord, Matt. 10:25.

By Albert Barnes and Edward D. Andrews