John 3:14
What does John 3:14 mean?
A plain-English look at John 3:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 3:14 means
Jesus likens His future crucifixion to the serpent Moses lifted up in the wilderness (Numbers 21). Just as the bronze serpent, when gazed upon with faith, brought physical healing to the bitten Israelites, so too must the "Son of man be lifted up" on the cross. This Old Testament parallel clearly points to Christ's atoning death. His elevation on the cross, a symbol of shame, would become the means of spiritual healing and salvation for all who look to Him in faith.
John 3:14 in context
John 3 — You Must Be Born Again
By night a Pharisee named Nicodemus comes to Jesus, half-confessing him as a teacher sent from God. Jesus cuts past the compliment: 'except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' Religion will not do; reformation will not do; only a new birth by water and the Spirit. The chapter rises to the most-quoted verse in the Bible — 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son' — and ends with John the Baptist's last public testimony: 'He must increase, but I must decrease.'
- New birth
- The Spirit
- God's love for the world
- Faith and life
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949As the snake was lifted up by Moses in the waste land, even so it is necessary for the Son of man to be lifted up:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And as Moses did lift up the serpent in the wilderness, so it behoveth the Son of Man to be lifted up,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of man be lifted up:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, thus must the Son of man be lifted up,
Context
Having established His divine origin and authority, Jesus now introduces the critical purpose of His coming: His crucifixion. This verse draws a powerful Old Testament parallel to the serpent in the wilderness, foreshadowing His elevation on the cross. This prophetic statement sets the immediate context for the declaration about the purpose of this lifting up, leading directly to the promise of eternal life through belief in Him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 4:27
for of a truth in this city against thy holy Servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together,
- Luke 24:20
and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
- 2 Kings 18:4
He removed the high places, and brake the pillars, and cut down the Asherah: and he brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made; for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it; and he called it Nehushtan.
- Psalms 22:16
For dogs have compassed me: A company of evil-doers have inclosed me; They pierced my hands and my feet.
- Luke 24:44
And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me.
- Numbers 21:7
And the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, because we have spoken against Jehovah, and against thee; pray unto Jehovah, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
Sermon ideas from John 3:14
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 3:14 teaches us about new birth
What John 3:14 teaches us about the spirit
What John 3:14 teaches us about god's love for the world
What John 3:14 teaches us about faith and life
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore John 3
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on John 3.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Being Born Again
Being born again refers to a spiritual rebirth, a transformative process initiated by God and experienced through faith in Jesus Christ.
Topic
Bible Verses About Eternal Life
Eternal life, a gift from God, is knowing Him and Jesus Christ, and living forever in His presence.
Topic
Bible Verses About the Love of God
Exploring God's boundless love for humanity, a central theme woven throughout all of Scripture, offering comfort and hope.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Losing a Loved One
When you can't stop imagining the worst — verses to put your loved one back in God's hands.
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Death
When you're afraid to die — what scripture promises about the last enemy.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Grief After Losing Someone You Love
When the room is empty — verses that grieve with you, not around you.