Bible Commentary

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 19. And this is the condemnation ] Rather, But the judgment is this; this is what it consists in: comp. Joh 15:12, Joh 17:3. and men loved darkness, &c.] The tragic … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 3:19”

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. 18. is not condemned is condemned already ] Better, is not judged hath been judged already. The change of tense from present to perfect … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 3:18”

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 17. the world ] Note the emphatic repetition: the whole human race is meant, as in Joh 3:16, not the Gentiles in particular. not to condemn ] This does not contradict Joh 9:39, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 3:17”

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. 16. For ] Explaining how God wills eternal life to every one that believeth. loved the world ] The whole human race: see on Joh 1:10. This would be a … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 3:16”

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 15. That ] The eternal life of believers is the purpose of the ‘ must ’ in Joh 3:14. For ‘should’ read may both here and in Joh 3:16. not perish, but ] These words are not genuine here, but have been taken … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 3:15”

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 14. the serpent ] We here have some evidence of the date of the Gospel. The Ophitic is the earliest Gnostic system of which we have full information. The serpent is the centre of the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 3:14”

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, [even] the Son of man which is in heaven. 13. no man hath ascended up to heaven ] No man has been in heaven, so as to see and know these heavenly things, excepting Christ. came down from heaven ] … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 3:13”

If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you [of] heavenly things? 12. earthly things ] Things which take place on earth, even though originating in heaven, e.g. the ‘new birth,’ which though ‘from above,’ must take place in this world. See notes on 1Co … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 3:12”

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 11. We speak that we do know ] The plural is no proof that any of the disciples were present, though S. John at least may have been; nor does it … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 3:11”

Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 10. Art thou a master of Israel ] Better, art thou the teacher of Israel, the well-known Rabbi, a representative of the supreme authority in the Church? Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges A master of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 3:10”