Passage Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content
Previous Next
Add parallel Print Page Options

John 3:16-36
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

16 For God so loved the world that he gave[a] his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.(A) 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn[b] the world, but that the world might be saved through him.(B) 18 Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.(C) 19 [c]And this is the verdict,(D) that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.(E) 21 But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.(F)

Final Witness of the Baptist. 22 [d]After this, Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing.(G) 23 John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim,[e] because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, 24 [f](H)for John had not yet been imprisoned. 25 Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew[g] about ceremonial washings. 26 So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.”(I) 27 John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven.(J) 28 You yourselves can testify that I said [that] I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him.(K) 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man,[h] who stands and listens to him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete.(L) 30 He must increase; I must decrease.”(M)

The One from Heaven.[i] 31 The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven [is above all].(N) 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony.(O) 33 Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.(P) 34 For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift[j] of the Spirit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.(Q) 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.(R)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 3:16 Gave: as a gift in the incarnation, and also “over to death” in the crucifixion; cf. Rom 8:32.
  2. 3:17–19 Condemn: the Greek root means both judgment and condemnation. Jesus’ purpose is to save, but his coming provokes judgment; some condemn themselves by turning from the light.
  3. 3:19 Judgment is not only future but is partially realized here and now.
  4. 3:22–26 Jesus’ ministry in Judea is only loosely connected with Jn 2:13–3:21; cf. Jn 1:19–36. Perhaps John the Baptist’s further testimony was transposed here to give meaning to “water” in Jn 3:5. Jesus is depicted as baptizing (Jn 3:22); contrast Jn 4:2.
  5. 3:23 Aenon near Salim: site uncertain, either in the upper Jordan valley or in Samaria.
  6. 3:24 A remark probably intended to avoid objections based on a chronology like that of the synoptics (Mt 4:12; Mk 1:14).
  7. 3:25 A Jew: some think Jesus is meant. Many manuscripts read “Jews.”
  8. 3:29 The best man: literally, “the friend of the groom,” the shoshben of Jewish tradition, who arranged the wedding. Competition between him and the groom would be unthinkable.
  9. 3:31–36 It is uncertain whether these are words by the Baptist, Jesus, or the evangelist. They are reflections on the two preceding scenes.
  10. 3:34 His gift: of God or to Jesus, perhaps both. This verse echoes Jn 3:5, 8.
Next
John 2
John 4
Next
dropdown
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.