God’s Word Translation
John 3:19
19This is why people are condemned: The light came into the world. Yet, people loved the dark rather than the light because their actions were evil.
John 3:19 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
- New International Version (NIV)This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Context of John 3:19
17God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save the world. 18Those who believe in him won’t be condemned. But those who don’t believe are already condemned because they don’t believe in God’s only Son. This is why people are condemned: The light came into the world. Yet, people loved the dark rather than the light because their actions were evil. 20People who do what is wrong hate the light and don’t come to the light. They don’t want their actions to be exposed. 21But people who do what is true come to the light so that the things they do for God may be clearly seen.
Read all of John 3John 3:19 word by word
αὕτη δέ ἐστιν ἡ κρίσις ὅτι τὸ φῶς ἐλήλυθεν εἰς τὸν κόσμον, καὶ ἠγάπησαν οἱ ἄνθρωποι μᾶλλον τὸ σκότος ἢ τὸ φῶς· ἦν γὰρ αὐτῶν πονηρὰ τὰ ἔργα.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Andδέde · thenG1161
- thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- the condemnationὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the condemnationκρίσιςkrisis · judgmentG2920
- thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
- lightφῶςphōs · lightG5457
- is comeἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
- intoεἰςeis · towardG1519
- the worldκόσμοςkosmos · worldG2889
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- menἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
- lovedἀγαπάωagapaō · to loveG25
- darknessσκότοςskotos · darknessG4655
- ratherμᾶλλονmallon · more: ratherG3123
- thanἤē · orG2228
- becauseγάρgar · forG1063
- theirαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- deedsἔργονergon · workG2041
- evilπονηρόςponēros · evil/badG4190
Cross-references for John 3:19
- John 1:4He was the source of life, and that life was the light for humanity.
- John 8:12Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have a life filled with light and will never live in the dark.”
- John 9:39Then Jesus said, “I have come into this world to judge: Blind people will be given sight, and those who can see will become blind.”
- John 15:22If I hadn’t come and spoken to them, they wouldn’t have any sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin.
- Matthew 11:20Then Jesus denounced the cities where he had worked most of his miracles because they had not changed the way they thought and acted.
- Luke 10:11‘We are wiping your city’s dust from our feet in protest against you! But realize that God’s kingdom is near you!’
- Luke 12:47“The servant who knew what his master wanted but didn’t get ready to do it will receive a hard beating.
- Romans 1:32Although they know God’s judgment that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do these things but also approve of others who do them.
- 2 Corinthians 2:15To God we are the aroma of Christ among those who are saved and among those who are dying.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:12Then everyone who did not believe the truth, but was delighted with what God disapproves of, will be condemned.
- Hebrews 3:12Be careful, brothers and sisters, that none of you ever develop a wicked, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
- John 5:44How can you believe when you accept each other’s praise and don’t look for the praise that comes from the only God?
- John 7:17Those who want to follow the will of God will know if what I teach is from God or if I teach my own thoughts.
- John 8:44You come from your father, the devil, and you desire to do what your father wants you to do. The devil was a murderer from the beginning. He has never been truthful. He doesn’t know what the truth is. Whenever he tells a lie, he’s doing what comes naturally to him. He’s a liar and the father of lies.
- John 10:26However, you don’t believe because you’re not my sheep.
- John 12:43They were more concerned about what people thought of them than about what God thought of them.
Commentaries on John 3:19
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19This 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…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19This is the condemnation - This is the cause of condemnation; or this is the reason why men are punished. That light is come - Light often denotes instruction, teaching, doctrine, as that by which we see clearly the path of duty. all the instruction that God gives us by conscience, reason, or revelation may thus be called light; but this word is used especially to denote the Messiah or the Christ, who is often spoken of as “the light.” See Isaiah 60:1…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19-20When people live in spiritual darkness (a life separated from God), they do not want the light that Jesus brings. Jesus called himself "the light of the world" (8:12; 9:5). His light shows truth and exposes sin. Darkness does not simply ignore the light. It resists it and tries to overcome it. But the darkness cannot defeat the light (1:5). Those who refuse to believe continue to live in darkness (13:30). They stumble because they cannot see clearly…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 17-2117-21. not to condemn, &c.--A statement of vast importance. Though "condemnation" is to many the issue of Christ's mission (Joh 3:19), it is not the object of His mission, which is purely a saving one.Read the comment
Topics related to John 3:19
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on John 3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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