John 3:17
What does John 3:17 mean?
A plain-English look at John 3:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 3:17 means
Jesus clarifies that God's primary intention in sending His Son was not to condemn or judge the already condemned world. Rather, His mission was one of salvation—to provide a way for humanity to be rescued from their sins and the wrath of God. While judgment is a reality for the unbelieving (as later verses explain), Christ's first coming emphasized grace, mercy, and the opportunity for divine deliverance, demonstrating the redemptive heart of God.
John 3:17 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 sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949God did not send his Son into the world to be judge of the world; he sent him so that the world might have salvation through him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862For God did not send His Son to the world that he may judge the world, but that the world may be saved through him;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For God sent not his Son into the world, to judge the world: but that the world may be saved by him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890ForGod has not sent his Son into the world that he may judge the world, but that the world may be saved through him.
Context
Building on the profound declaration of God's love, this verse further elaborates on the *purpose* of the Son's mission. It directly addresses a common misconception by stating that Christ's initial coming was not for judgment, but for salvation. This clarification is essential for understanding the nature of God's grace and mercy, and it sets up the unavoidable consequence of rejecting this offer, which is explored in the subsequent verses about belief and judgment.
v.16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
v.17This passage
v.18He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus,
- John 1:29
On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world!
- John 5:36
But the witness which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father hath given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
- John 6:57
As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he that eateth me, he also shall live because of me.
- John 17:8
for the words which thou gavest me I have given unto them; and they received them, and knew of a truth that I came forth from thee, and they believed that thou didst send me.
- John 20:21
Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace be unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
Sermon ideas from John 3:17
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 3:17 teaches us about new birth
What John 3:17 teaches us about the spirit
What John 3:17 teaches us about god's love for the world
What John 3:17 teaches us about faith and life
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