John 3:13-21 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 3:19

And this is the condemnation ,.... Of him that believes not in Christ; that is, this is the matter and cause of his condemnation, and by which it is aggravated, and appears to be just: that light is come into the world : by which is meant, not natural or corporeal light; though natural darkness is, by some, preferred to this, being more convenient for their evil works; as by thieves, murderers, and adulterers: nor is the light of nature designed, with which every man is enlightened that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 3:20

For every one that doth evil, hateth the light ,.... Every man, the series of whose life and conversation is evil, hates Christ and his Gospel, cause they make manifest his evil deeds, convict him of them, and rebuke him for them: neither cometh to the light ; to hear Christ preach, or preached; to attend on the Gospel ministration and means of grace: lest his deeds should be reproved ; or discovered, and made manifest, and he be brought to shame, and laid under blame, and advised to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 3:21

But he that doth truth ,.... That which is true, right and good: "he whose work is just", as the Ethiopic version renders it; or, "he that does that which is right", so the Persic; that which is according to the will of God, and from a principle of love to him, and with a view to his glory: cometh to the light ; to Christ, and to his word, and ordinances: that his deeds may be made manifest ; being brought to the light, to the test, and standard, whether they, are right, or wrong;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:13

No man hath ascended - This seems a figurative expression for, No man hath known the mysteries of the kingdom of God; as in Deuteronomy 30:12 ; Psalm 73:17 ; Proverbs 30:4 ; Romans 11:34 . And the expression is founded upon this generally received maxim: That to be perfectly acquainted with the concerns of a place, it is necessary for a person to be on the spot. But our Lord probably spoke to correct a false notion among the Jews, viz. that Moses had ascended to heaven, in order to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:14

As Moses lifted up - He shows the reason why he descended from heaven, that he might be lifted up, i.e. crucified, for the salvation of man. kind, and be, by the appointment of God, as certain a remedy for sinful souls as the brazen serpent elevated on a pole, Numbers 21:9 , was for the bodies of the Israelites, which had been bitten by the fiery serpents in the wilderness. It does not appear to me that the brazen serpent was ever intended to be considered as a type of Christ. It is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:15

That whosoever believeth - Bp. Pearce supposes that this verse is only the conclusion of the 16th, and that it has been inserted in this place by mistake. The words contain the reason of the subject in the following verse, and seem to break in upon our Lord's argument before he had fully stated it. The words, μη αποληται αλλα , may not perish but, are omitted by some very ancient MSS. and versions. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:16

For God so loved the world - Such a love as that which induced God to give his only begotten son to die for the world could not be described: Jesus Christ does not attempt it. He has put an eternity of meaning in the particle οὑτω , so, and left a subject for everlasting contemplation, wonder, and praise, to angels and to men. The same evangelist uses a similar mode of expression, 1 John 3:1 ; : Behold, What Manner of love, ποταπην αγαπην , the Father hath bestowed upon us. From the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:17

For God sent not, etc. - It was the opinion of the Jews that the Gentiles, whom they often term the world, עלמה olmah , and העולם אומות omoth haolam , nations of the world, were to be destroyed in the days of the Messiah. Christ corrects this false opinion; and teaches here a contrary doctrine. God, by giving his Son, and publishing his design in giving him, shows that he purposes the salvation, not the destruction, of the world - the Gentile people: nevertheless, those who will not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:18

He that believeth - As stated before on John 3:16 . Is not condemned - For past sin, that being forgiven on his believing in Christ. But he that believeth not - When the Gospel is preached to him, and the way of salvation made plain. Is condemned already - Continues under the condemnation which Divine justice has passed upon all sinners; and has this superadded, He hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God, and therefore is guilty of the grossest insult to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:19

This is the condemnation - That is, this is the reason why any shall be found finally to perish, not that they came into the world with a perverted and corrupt nature, which is true; nor that they lived many years in the practice of sin, which is also true; but because they refused to receive the salvation which God sent to them. Light is come - That is, Jesus, the Sun of righteousness, the fountain of light and life; diffusing his benign influences every where, and favoring men with a... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 3:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 3:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 3:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:19

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