Early Christian writers of the second century A.D. suggested that John wrote this book at Ephesus in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). John 3:16 is the most famous and the most well-known verse from the Christian Bible. Speaking of Jesus, Philippians 2:6-8 says, “being in very nature God, [He] did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. As recorded in the Book of Numbers, a book Nicodemus would have been extremely familiar with, the Israelites chose rebellion and were punished for it in the form of venomous snake bites. But how, in practical terms, can we compensate for the loss of perfect human life? Let’s take a look at that verse now. “Rabbi,” he said, “we know that You are a teacher who comes from God. We find John 3:16, perhaps one of the clearest presentations of the gospel, tucked in a conversation between Jesus and a prestigious religious ruler. And further, explain the way that we can each achieve the full benefit of what God has done for us by one simple act, believing in him. They chose pleasure in the moment over the peace and joy of a relationship with God. Jesus lived a perfect life, but his death is just important. 15:55-57). John and his brother James are fishermen. . He will in turn take over and draw them closer to Him. In Genesis 3:15, He said, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (ESV). The verse is synonymous with the teachings of Christianity itself … "'Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.' In this article let's see what does John 3:16 mean... One of the more commonly known verses is John 3:16. 1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love [of God] The phrase "of God" is not in the Oriental versions, nor in the Greek copies, but is in the Complutensian edition, and in the Vulgate Latin version, and is favoured by the Syriac version, which reads, "by this we know his love to … For Christians, particularly evangelicals, John 3:16 has become perhaps the most important passage in the Bible, Stone said. But to receive that precious gift, we must acknowledge we need it. He sent the Holy Spirit to help us obey His Word and live by it daily. It’s something that even young children, learning the Bible for the first time, can understand. These verses herald the end of war, famine, sickness, and death. It is our hope that these will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of God's Word in relation to your life today. Whenever I think of the cross, I’m reminded of the price Christ paid so I could be free. For God so loved the world, &c. — Here our Lord proceeds to inform Nicodemus, that men owed the blessings above mentioned to the free and immense love of God the Father, who desired their salvation with such ardency, that he sent his only-begotten Son to bestow it upon them; and that it is designed for all that will accept of it in the way God hath appointed. He sent you Me” (paraphrased). See John 6:33; John 17:21. This Bible verse, found in chapter 3, verse 16 of the Gospel of John, of the New Testament) encapsulates a portion of the discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus, ruler of the Jews. God knew how helpless we were. The apostle John wrote this verse. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Christ’s life and death were prophesied and the gift of salvation promised, from the beginning of time. Rather, they’re using this reference as a way to spread the Bible itself to those who are watching the game. God wants the faithful one "not to perish, but have everlasting life.". To receive healing, they had to look at a bronze snake on a pole. But on one condition: obey him. This is painful. , No matter what is happening in your life, this verse is going to give you the ability to continue on and that’s the most important thing. John 3:16 is a widely quoted Bible verse that summarizes the cornerstone Christian belief that their God sacrificed his son for the salvation of humanity. The proposed dates for its writing range from 60 AD to 100 AD. It’s a simple message that means a great deal. Football players including Tim Tebowhave used this reference in games. When Nicodemus heard about Jesus' death on the cross, you can imagine his memory of these words. 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. How should we live in light of John 3:16? In so doing, it is possible to have the everlasting life that was promised. There are some that nearly everyone can quote or could explain, and there are some that are a little less familiar. “He gave His one and only Son.” Through His death, Christ revealed what pure, unfathomable love looks like. It’s like walking out of a dark theater into a bright sunny day. In Christ, we see a love so intense, so sacrificial, so incomprehensible, it makes all human expressions seem frivolous in comparison. Available for free download on the app store. It is an illustration that likely stayed with Nicodemus for the rest of his earthly life. But He did more than that. The Bible verse John 3:16 tells us about God’s love for all the people of the world. It tells that Christ died a sacrificial death on the cross, to pay the price for our sin and break its power in our lives. Light hurts. The idea that God loves all of us so much that he would make such an immense sacrifice seems unimaginable, and yet, it’s something that this particular Bible verse makes very clear. ‘Where, O death, is your victory? They chose their will and their wants, over trusting and obeying their God, and in this, they tried to elevate themselves above the very Creator who had loved them so faithfully. We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, … The first thing God did was to remove the tree of life, lest we be trapped in a life of sin forever. We believe that God is a gracious Lord of love. You and I included. His holiness demands that the sinner be purified and His justice demands that sins be punished. Only freedom, light, and life, and all because God so loved this world. But we do have that knowledge, thanks to Scripture. It’s actually fans and those fans are not always using it in support of particular players or even the game itself. Have we contemplated the depth of truths packed within this verse, preserved by God Himself, throughout countless generations? John 3:16 tells us of the love God has for us and the extent of that love—so great that He sacrificed His only Son on our behalf. He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. John 3:16 is a widely quoted Bible verse that summarizes the cornerstone Christian belief that their God sacrificed his son for the salvation of humanity. Adam and Eve rebelled against their good, attentive, and faithful Father. This verse, which appears in the King James Version of the Bible is one of the most famous and it’s actually considered to be the very essence of Christianity. Let me give you two steps you can take. By applying the legal principle of "life for life," he balanced the two scales of justice, thereby restoring to obedient humans the possibility of everlasting life. The discussion pertains to who could ‘see the kingdom of God’ and of salvation and condemnation. In fact, this particular scripture explains the immense sacrifice God made in sacrificing not just something of himself, but his only child. What does John 3:16 mean? Here is the passage together with some of its context: John 3:14-18 "And 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. And He acted when His Son was laid upon the cross, offering a sacrifice of His perfect life for our stained lives, which was the payment for sin. A life of equal value to Adam's had to be offered, or sacrificed a perfect human life. After all, he likely had no idea Jesus was planning to die—for him (and us). "For God so loved the world...". Perhaps you’ve asked God that yourself. It appears on bumper stickers, T-shirts, coffee mugs, bracelets and pendants, and Gospel tracts. He loves us so much that He gave the ultimate gift of God, His one and only son to pay the price of freedom with His perfect life. Everyone knows about… 10 Marriage Goals Every Couple Should Have for 2021, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright © 2021, Crosswalk.com. John 3:16, ESV: "“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." The verse is part of the New Testament narrative in the third chapter of John in the discussion at Jerusalem between Jesus and Nicodemus, who is called a "ruler of the Jews". Judge for yourself by reading these passages: Psalm 37:9-11; 46:8, 9; 72:7, 8, 16; Isaiah 35:5, 6; 65:21-23; Matthew 5:5; John 5:28, 29; Revelation 21:4. Although we see and hear the words God gave us in John 3:16 we rarely take time to reflect on it’s meaning. On top of that, it’s also a message that seems so powerful and beautiful all at the same time. Watching us hurt, manipulate, use, and kill one another, God could’ve left us to our destruction. Anywho have children of their own can understand how immense this sacrifice would be. Related words: Austin 3:16; books of the Bible; Jesus piece; The Ten Commandments; Tim Tebow Tim Tebow wore eye black with the inscription “John 3:16” in … Now, it’s not just sports personalities and players that are using the reference. While all those who read the Bible understand that God has sacrificed and given of himself to help them, there is more to it than that as well. When we step into God’s light he’s going to illuminate some painful parts of our life. He acted throughout history, weaving a plan and keeping His promise to save His people. IS IT THE GOSPEL OF GRACE? Instead, He drew near. A. You might have seen the verse at a football game, but what does it mean? . What Does Jesus Really Mean by 'the Ends of the Earth' in Acts 1? In the first place, many people believe that “world” means all people without exception. This allows all who believe in Christ to say, “Death has been swallowed up in victory. We don’t know how that conversation ended that night. God reached out, expecting nothing in return, and emptied Himself completely, for the very ones who spurned Him. By holding up signs from the stands they’re hoping to be seen not only by the thousands of people at the game, but the millions who could potentially be watching the game on TV, either live or through replays. Reading this message truly makes people think twice about their beliefs and their sense of themselves. We want to provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture's context. He didn’t understand that Christ would, quite literally, be lifted on a pole, just as the snake had been, and that Christ’s death and resurrection, not well-spoken prayers or good deeds, would bring life. What is the meaning of “world” in this passage? Jesus was a perfect, sinless person who was both fully man and fully God. He’d probably heard many truths Jesus spoke as well, all of which seemed to have triggered a driving question: Who are you? Talk about John 3:16. Just like the rebellious Israelites in the desert, Nicodemus needed an intercessor so that he could have salvation and be 'born again.' In this, God promised sin would not win; though a battle would rage between light and dark, between good and evil, Christ would ultimately prevail, and He did. Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25). C. That Whosoever Believeth in Him Shall not Perish, B. St Pauls Cathedral Choir - God So Loved The World. ✝. If you want to explain this verse, explain the immense love of a parent for their child and the even stronger love that God must have had for the people of our world to be willing to sacrifice that child. It begins with the well know phrase about Jesus, " For God so loved... What John 3 16 really means, may surprise you. “This,” Jesus said, “is how much God loves you. Beneath his words of affirmation, of wonderment, Nicodemus appears to be investigating Jesus’ identity. . Who Is the Author of the Book of Proverbs? John 3:16 teaches us that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, will be saved. Austin 3:16 said I just whipped your a**. Those who see the signs and advertisements for this Bible verse are likely to search for it. No bloodshed is necessary for salvation. John 3:16 is the most popular Bible verse. To which Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” (John 3:6). That’s hard because it pricks against our pride. It shows up on signs, cards, posters, billboards, t-shirts and even at football games. 21:4-9). John 3:16, KJV: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not … In the first place, many people believe that “world” means all people without exception. So, just why is this particular Bible verse so popular? Colossians 2:15 puts it this way, “He disarmed the rulers and authorities” of darkness “and put them to open shame, triumphing over them” (ESV). ουτως (houtos), the original Greek word translated “so,” means “in this manner” and is actually the first word in John 3:16, a more literal translation of which would begin, “For in this manner God loved the world … But His love has provided a means so that the guilty can be purified, forgiven and justified. But I’m also reminded of how much I needed that freedom. It does not mean any particular part of the world, but man as man - the race that had rebelled and that deserved to die. 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