The Gospel of John
Chapter 3
Verses 17 – 36
Verses 17 – 21
Jesus said, “God did not send his son into the world to condemn (blame) the world, but that the world through him (the son) would be saved.”
“He that believes on him (the son) is not condemned (blamed, judged), but he that believes not is condemned (blamed, judged) already, because he has not believe on the only begotten Son of God.”
In other words, if you do not believe in Jesus, God’s Son, you will be blamed because you do not believe in him.
Believing in Jesus and accepting him as your Savior is the only way to eternal life.
Verse 19, 20 And this blame or judgment is because, Light (Jesus and Truth) has come into the world, men loved darkness more than light because they did things that were evil and sinful,
Everyone who does evil (sin) hates the light, he does not come to the light, because he does not want his sin to be shown or found out.
Verse 21 He that does the truth (does right) comes to the light, so things he does can be shown that he is doing right and doing what pleases God.
Verses 22 – 35
After this happened with Nicodemus, Jesus and his disciples went to Judea. They stayed there awhile. They baptized people there. Jesus, himself did not baptize the people—his disciples baptized them.
(See Chp. 4: 2)
John was baptizing people in another place.
Verse 25 Some of the Jews were asking questions of John’s followers. These Jews talked to John and said, “The man you said was the Messiah is over in another place baptizing people. Everyone is going over there to him.”
John said, “God gives to every person his own work to do. I told you before that I am not the Messiah. I am here to make the way ready for him.
A bride goes where the bridegroom is. (People who believe are the “bride” —they will want to be near Jesus)
John said, He is the bridegroom and I am his friend. I am happy about his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”
The work that God gave John to do was to make people ready to listen to Jesus when he came. So John’s work was now coming to an end. Jesus would get the crowds of people. That is the way is was planned to be.
John said, He has come from heaven and he is greater than anyone. I am from the earth and I can only understand things of the earth. He tells us what he has seen and heard from heaven. Now, few people believe what he tells them. Those who believe will find that what he says is true.
God has sent him and he speaks God’s words. God has given him the Holy Spirit in full—-no limit. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hands.
Verse 36 He who believes on the Son, has everlasting life. He who does not believe the Son, will not have life, but the anger and judgment of God is on him.