John 3:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

NIV: Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.

NASB: For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, so that his deeds will not be exposed.

CSB: For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.

NLT: All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.

KJV: For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

NKJV: For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

Light is an important symbol in the Bible. Jesus is described as "the Light" in several passages (John 1:9, 19). Light reveals things, and some of what it uncovers we would rather keep a secret. Those who commit sin would prefer that sin stay hidden, and not be exposed.

The Greek term here translated as "evil," or "wicked," is phaula, which also means "worthless," "base," or "no good." A life without God may seem satisfying for a while (Hebrews 11:25). But it's ultimately hopeless, worthless, and ends in disaster (Mark 8:36; Proverbs 8:35–36). This is not just a Christian opinion. Many atheists grudgingly subscribe to this idea, as well. They seek ways to avoid living as though life has no meaning but recognize that without God there is no sensible purpose to life. To live a life of purpose, rationally, a person must believe in purpose.

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.

Accessed 11/23/2024 7:54:05 AM