John 7:7

ὁ κόσμος. Unbelievers; the common use in S. John: in John 7:4 it meant all mankind (see on John 1:10). He takes up their word and gives it a meaning far deeper than theirs. The world cannot hate them because they are part of itself (John 15:19). Hence it is that they can always manifest themselves; they can always count upon a favourable reception. As in John 3:3; John 3:5; John 5:19; John 6:44; John 6:65, οὐ δύναται expresses a moral impossibility; comp. John 7:34; John 7:36; John 8:21; John 8:43; John 12:39; John 13:33; John 13:36; John 14:17; John 16:12. For μαρτυρῶ see on John 1:7.