John 3:20 NIV

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 3:20-21

John 3:20-21. For every one that doeth evil That is conscious to himself that he lives in known sin, and is inclined to continue to do so; hateth the light Which would detect and expose his evil practices, and thereby cause anguish and shame to his guilty mind; neither cometh to the light But keeps aloof from it, being unwilling, not desirous, to know his true character, and the dangerous and miserable condition which he is in. Thus Christ, and his genuine gospel, is hated, because sin... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 3:1-21

21. Jesus and Nicodemus (3:1-21)Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish Council, or Sanhedrin, was impressed with Jesus’ miracles, but faith based on miracles alone is not enough. There must be inner cleansing, a complete change of heart brought about by the creative power of the Spirit of God. Only then can a person enter the kingdom of God (John 3:1-5; cf. Ezekiel 36:25-27).Jews prided themselves that they were born Jews, and thought this guaranteed their entrance into the kingdom of God. Jesus was... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 3:20

doeth = practises, or (habitually) does. Greek. prasso evil. Greek. phaulos = worthless, base. Occurs only here; John 5:29 . Titus 2:8 . James 3:16 , in Rec. Text, but in Romans 9:11 . 2 Corinthians 5:10 , in most texts for kakos. Here, plural worthless things. neither = and . . . not. Greek. ou. App-105 . reproved = brought home to him. Compare John 16:8 (convince). read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 3:20

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, lest his works should be reproved. But he that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, that they have been wrought in God.These two verses are a further explanation of John 3:19, spelling out the universal law regarding the hatred of evil men for the truth of God, called here "the light." Also, there is the converse of it, namely, that good men seek and desire the truth. The whole... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 3:20

20. reproved—by detection. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 3:1-21

3. Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus 3:1-21John now presented evidence that Jesus knew people as no others did and that many believed in His name (John 2:23). This constitutes further witness that He is the Son of God. John summarized several conversations that Jesus had with various individuals in the next few chapters. They were remarkably different types of people, yet they all responded positively to Jesus. The first man was a representative of Pharisaic Judaism. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 3:13-36

C. Jesus’ first visit to Jerusalem 2:13-3:36John is the only evangelist who recorded this trip to Jerusalem and the things that happened then."In distinction from the Synoptics, John’s record focuses mostly on events in Jesus’ life that took place in Jerusalem, and especially at the Passover feasts." [Note: Bailey, p. 164.] Josephus indicated that as many as three million Jews occupied Jerusalem during the Passover feasts. [Note: Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, 6:9:3; cf. 2:14:3.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 3:20

Not only do evildoers love darkness (John 3:19), they also hate the light. The Greek word translated "evil" is phaula, meaning "worthless." Evildoers avoid the light that Jesus brings, and Jesus Himself (cf. John 1:9-11), because it exposes the vanity of their lives. It shows that they have no meaning, worthy goal, or hope for the future. They know that coming to the light would convict them. Immorality lies behind much unbelief. read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - John 3:20

3:20 are; (d-26) Elenko . to show the true character of anything, so as to convict, and hence reprove by showing a man's fault. It is used in chs. 8.46, 'convinces;' 16.8, 'bring demonstration;' Ephesians 5:11 ,Ephesians 5:13 , 'reprove' and 'expose.' read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:1-36

The New Birth. John’s Testimony to Jesus1-15. Conversation with Nicodemus. The ministry at Jerusalem, though disappointing, was not fruitless. Christ’s miracles and teaching had made an impression, not only on Nicodemus, but as Nicodemus himself says (John 3:2, cp. John 12:42), on other members of the Sanhedrin. This interview took place by night, on account of the timidity of Nicodemus (cp. John 7:50), and probably in St. John’s house at Jerusalem, the evangelist himself being present.... read more

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 3:20-21

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 3:1-21

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 3:20

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 3:20

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 3:20

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 3:1-21

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 3:13-36

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 3:20

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - John 3:20

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:1-36

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