John 3:20

Translations

Modern

Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

Traditional

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

Literal

For everyone practicing evil hates the Light and does not come to the Light, so that his works may not be exposed;

Latin

Omnis enim qui male agit, odit lucem, et non venit ad lucem, ut non arguantur opera ejus:

Interlinear

Greek

English

Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

Notes

John 3:19–20

When 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 (11:10). In the end, their sins will be revealed. God will judge all people (5:28–30; Revelation 20:11–15).

John 3:16–21

The original Greek text does not include quotation marks. Because of this, translators must decide where the words of Jesus end and where John's explanation begins. John 3:16–21 might be John’s explanation of what Jesus said.

Theme notes and profiles

Citizenship in the Kingdom Encounters with Jesus Misunderstanding in the Gospel of John The World

Events

Jesus and Nicodemusc. AD 27

Related verses

Ephesians 5:11–13
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
John 7:7
The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me, because I testify that its works are evil.
Job 24:13–17
Then there are those who rebel against the light, not knowing its ways or staying on its paths.
Proverbs 4:18
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.
Proverbs 1:29
For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD.
James 1:23–25
For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror,
1 Kings 22:8
The king of Israel answered, “There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me, but only bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” “The king should not say that!” Jehoshaphat replied.
Psalm 50:17
For you hate My instruction and cast My words behind you.
Amos 5:10–11
There are those who hate the one who reproves in the gate and despise him who speaks with integrity.
Proverbs 15:12
A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.
Proverbs 5:12
…and you will say, “How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof!
Luke 11:45
One of the experts in the law told Him, “Teacher, when You say these things, You insult us as well.”

John 3:20

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