John Chapter 3:1-36 King James Bible KJV

Jesus and Nicodemus, the Role of Faith, John Chapter 3:16 (God’s Love, Salvation, Judgement and Grace), John the Baptist’s Testimony

John Chapter 3:1-36 King James Bible KJV. John Chapter 3 is one of the most theologically rich and significant chapters in the Gospel of John. It contains key teachings of Jesus about spiritual rebirth, salvation, the overwhelming love of God in sending His Son for humanity’s salvation, and the call to faith and light in the face of judgment and darkness. The chapter is best known for John 3:16, which encapsulates the heart of the Gospel message.

• Spiritual Rebirth and Salvation: Central to this chapter is the idea of being “born again” through the Spirit, which is necessary for eternal life. Salvation comes through faith in Jesus, who was sent out of God’s love for the world. The chapter stresses that this spiritual transformation is a work of God, not something humans can achieve on their own.
• God’s Love and Grace: John 3:16 is a declaration of God’s universal love and grace. It shows that God’s ultimate desire is to save humanity through Jesus, not to condemn it.
• Judgment and Light: The chapter also presents a sober reality: while Jesus is the light of the world, people can choose to remain in darkness, and this choice results in judgment. There is a clear division between those who accept the light (Jesus) and those who reject it.
• Humility and Witness: John the Baptist’s example of humility and his testimony about Jesus remind readers of the importance of recognizing Jesus’ supremacy and being a witness to His truth.

John Chapter 3:1-36 King James Bible KJV
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Jesus and Nicodemus – verses 1 – 21
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council, comes to Jesus at night to inquire about His teachings. He recognizes that Jesus is a teacher sent by God because of the miracles He performs. In response, Jesus introduces the concept of being “born again” or “born from above” to see and enter the kingdom of God. Nicodemus struggles to understand this spiritual rebirth.

Being Born Again (verses 3-8): Jesus tells Nicodemus, “Unless someone is born again, they cannot see the kingdom of God.” The phrase “born again” refers to a spiritual rebirth, a transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit, not a physical birth. This rebirth is essential for salvation and entry into God’s kingdom.

• Water and Spirit: Jesus explains that to be “born of water and the Spirit” is necessary for new life, often interpreted as a reference to both baptism (water) and the Holy Spirit’s transformative work in a person’s life.
• The Wind and the Spirit: Jesus uses the metaphor of the wind (which blows where it pleases) to describe the movement of the Holy Spirit—unpredictable and unseen, but powerful and life-changing.

The Role of Faith (verses 14-16): Jesus references an Old Testament event when Moses lifted up a bronze serpent in the wilderness to heal the Israelites from snake bites (Numbers 21:4-9). He uses this story to foreshadow His own crucifixion, saying, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.”

John 3:16: One of the most well-known Bible verses, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This verse summarizes the heart of the Christian message:

• God’s Love: God’s love is universal and sacrificial—He gave His Son for the sake of humanity’s salvation.
• Salvation through Faith: Eternal life is offered to all who believe in Jesus. Faith, not works, is the key to salvation.
• Judgment and Grace: While salvation is available, those who reject Jesus remain in spiritual darkness and face judgment.

Light and Darkness (verses 19-21): Jesus speaks of light and darkness to describe the moral and spiritual condition of humanity. He is the “light” that has come into the world, but people often prefer darkness (sin) because their deeds are evil.

• Condemnation vs. Salvation: Jesus explains that He did not come to condemn the world, but to save it. However, those who reject the light (truth and salvation in Jesus) are condemned because they choose to stay in spiritual darkness.

John the Baptist’s Testimony – verses 22-36
The chapter then shifts to a scene where John the Baptist’s disciples express concern that people are now going to Jesus instead of coming to John for baptism. John responds by affirming Jesus’ superiority, humbly acknowledging his role as the forerunner to the Messiah.

John’s Humility (verses 27-30): John famously says, “He must become greater; I must become less.” John recognizes that his mission was to prepare the way for Jesus and now that Jesus’ ministry is growing, John’s role must diminish. His joy is in the success of Jesus’ mission.

Jesus’ Divine Origin (verses 31-36): John the Baptist declares that Jesus, who comes from above, speaks the words of God and has been given all things by the Father. He contrasts earthly things with heavenly things, showing that Jesus, being from heaven, is uniquely able to reveal God’s truth.

• Belief in the Son: The chapter concludes with a reiteration of the importance of faith: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”

John Chapter 3:1-36 King James Bible KJV

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judæa; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
23 And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
25 Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.