John 3:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

NIV: For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

NASB: For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.

CSB: For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

NLT: God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

KJV: For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

NKJV: For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Verse 17 is a peaceful footnote to John 3:16. Jesus' earthly ministry, His "first coming" to earth, was for the purpose of saving people, not condemning them. In fact, mankind is sinful and all people are condemned for their sin (John 3:18). Those who don't believe will remain in that condition. According to the Bible, God doesn't want to see anyone destroyed (Ezekiel 18:23–32). Rather, He would prefer that everyone be saved (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4). However, for His own reasons, God seems to give us the dignity of our choices. How that allowance coordinates with His sovereignty and election (Ephesians 1:5; Romans 9:11) is the subject of much debate.

This salvation is offered to "the world," a phrase this verse uses three times. This is from the Greek root word kosmos, which sometimes refers to the God-hating system of human society. In this context, however, it means "all people." The meanings overlap in this case. The people Christ died for were—and are—sinners naturally separated from Him (Romans 5:12).

This verse also reiterates idea that salvation is through Christ, and nothing else (John 14:6). The offer of salvation is for everyone, but only those who accept it will be saved (John 3:36). Jesus' first coming was a humble work offering salvation; His second coming will bring eternal judgment (Revelation 19:11–16).

John 3:16–21 begins with the most easily recognized portion of any holy book on Earth: John 3:16. This is a one-sentence summary of the entire gospel. Still, the verses which follow are just as critical for understanding the Christian message. Christ wasn't sent to judge the world, but to bring salvation. This is an expression of God's incredible love. However, those who do not believe in Jesus Christ are condemned in the eyes of God. Human preference for sin causes many to choose darkness over the Light.

John chapter 3 is one of the most important passages in the entire gospel. Many crucial ideas are explained here, including the role of Jesus as Savior. After the loud, public commotion at the temple, John transitions to a quiet, nighttime discussion. The speakers are Jesus and a Pharisee, Nicodemus, who is sincerely interested in understanding Jesus' ministry. These verses make it clear that Christ—and Christ alone—is the means of salvation for the entire world. This text also states that those who reject Jesus are rejecting God.

The gospel of John intends to prove that Jesus is God. Chapter 3 contains some of the most direct, most important concepts in Christianity. The ideas of spiritual rebirth and the necessity of belief in Christ are reinforced by the rest of the information in this gospel. John continues to use contrast, moving from the loud and public temple cleansing to the quiet of this conversation. After Jesus injects humility into a powerful leader, chapter 4 will transition again, as Jesus gives dignity to an outcast stranger.

The disciple John wrote the gospel of John decades after the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls "signs"— to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.