John 3:16
What does John 3:16 mean?
A plain-English look at John 3:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 3:16 means
This verse, arguably the most famous in the Bible, encapsulates the Gospel: God's immeasurable love for humanity (the "world") led Him to give His "only begotten Son." This giving implies His sacrifice on the cross. The purpose is redemptive: that anyone who "believeth on him" will not and cannot perish in judgment but will instead "have eternal life." It emphasizes God's initiative, the preciousness of the gift (His Son), and the simple condition for receiving salvation (faith).
John 3:16 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 · 2000For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For God had such love for the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever has faith in him may not come to destruction but have eternal life.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for God did so love the world, that His Son--the only begotten--He gave, that every one who is believing in him may not perish, but may have life age-during.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son: that whosoever believeth in him may not perish, but may have life everlasting.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890ForGod so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believes on him may not perish, but have life eternal.
Context
Following the declaration of eternal life for those who believe in the lifted-up Son, this verse expands on the ultimate motivation behind such a sacrifice. This famous statement articulates the depth of God's love for the world, providing the foundational reason for the Father sending His Son. This profound declaration of divine love sets the stage for understanding the purpose of Christ's mission and the contrast between salvation and judgment that follows.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
- 1 John 4:19
We love, because he first loved us.
- Romans 5:10
For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life;
- John 3:15
that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life.
- Matthew 9:13
But go ye and learn what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice: for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
- John 1:18
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Sermon ideas from John 3:16
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 3:16 teaches us about new birth
What John 3:16 teaches us about the spirit
What John 3:16 teaches us about god's love for the world
What John 3:16 teaches us about faith and life
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Bible Verses About the Love of God
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