New English Translation
John 3:19
19Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds 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
17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. 18The one who believes in him is not condemned. The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil. 20For everyone who does evil deeds hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed. 21But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, so that it may be plainly evident that his deeds have been done in God.
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 1:4In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind.
- John 8:12Then Jesus spoke out again, “I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
- John 9:39Jesus said,] “For judgment I have come into this world, so that those who do not see may gain their sight, and the ones who see may become blind.”
- John 15:22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. But they no longer have any excuse for their sin.
- Matthew 11:20Then Jesus began to criticize openly the cities in which he had done many of his miracles, because they did not repent.
- Luke 10:11‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this: The kingdom of God has come.’
- Luke 12:47That servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or do what his master asked will receive a severe beating.
- Romans 1:32Although they fully know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them.
- 2 Corinthians 2:15For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing –
- 2 Thessalonians 2:12And so all of them who have not believed the truth but have delighted in evil will be condemned.
- Hebrews 3:12See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has an evil, unbelieving heart that forsakes the living God.
- John 5:44How can you believe, if you accept praise from one another and don’t seek the praise that comes from the only God?
- John 7:17If anyone wants to do God’s will, he will know about my teaching, whether it is from God or whether I speak from my own authority.
- John 8:44You people are from your father the devil, and you want to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
- John 10:26But you refuse to believe because you are not my sheep.
- John 12:43For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
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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