Devine Scripture

John 3:20

What does John 3:20 mean?

A plain-English look at John 3:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 3:20 means

This verse explains *why* individuals prefer darkness: "every one that doeth evil hateth the light." True light exposes sin and calls for repentance, which those who practice evil resent. They avoid coming to the light precisely "lest his works should be reproved." This highlights the pride and self-preservation that often prevent people from confronting their sin and embracing the truth and cleansing that Christ offers.

John 3:20 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 · 2000

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, lest his works should be reproved.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, lest his works should be reproved.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The light is hated by everyone whose acts are evil and he does not come to the light for fear that his acts will be seen.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for every one who is doing wicked things hateth the light, and doth not come unto the light, that his works may not be detected;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For every one that doth evil hateth the light and cometh not to the light, that his works may not be reproved.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For every one that does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light that his works may not be shewn as they are;

Context

Building on the explanation that judgment comes from loving darkness, this verse delves deeper into the motivations of those who avoid the light. It explains the inherent conflict between evil works and the light, showing why individuals actively resist exposure. This provides a stark contrast to the person who desires truth, setting up the description of how one who does the truth will respond to the light.

v.19And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.

v.20This passage

v.21But he that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, that they have been wrought in God.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Job 24:13

    These are of them that rebel against the light; They know not the ways thereof, Nor abide in the paths thereof.

  • Proverbs 15:12

    A scoffer loveth not to be reproved; He will not go unto the wise.

  • James 1:23

    For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror:

  • Proverbs 4:18

    But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

  • Proverbs 1:29

    For that they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of Jehovah,

  • 1 Kings 22:8

    And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Jehovah, Micaiah the son of Imlah: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

Sermon ideas from John 3:20

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What John 3:20 teaches us about new birth

  • What John 3:20 teaches us about the spirit

  • What John 3:20 teaches us about god's love for the world

  • What John 3:20 teaches us about faith and life

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