Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25). That He is God the Son who loves God the Father and us so much that He In other words, in the original language of the New Testament, “believe” means a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, not merely intellectual assent. city, the watchman stays awake in vainâ. Who will go to hell? All sinners whose sins have not been paid for by Jesus (see below). As you can see, the original meaning of 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, The Gnostic Gospels: Are they the real history of Jesus. John 3:16 also reflects another important aspect of the gospel: the essential idea is extremely clear, but there are layers of meaning and knowledge inside of it. âWhat if I donât feel like a sinner?â In other words, Jesus was on a rescue mission. (see examples), most of them still donât believe. Probably somewhat overwhelmed. to heaven. He taught that life doesn’t end at physical death, but continues forever and forever. as one of the two disciples of Jesus who cleaned and buried His crucified body in His John 3:16 was recorded by John, a fisherman, who was one of Jesus Christ’s twelve disciples. Their objections are the excuses, not the reason, for their unbelief. But God will not force us to trust him. Have we contemplated the depth of truths packed within this verse, preserved by God Himself, throughout countless generations? tomb of resurrection (photo). For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. manner God loved the world ...â. He certainly wanted forgiveness. Jesus told Nicodemus of God’s love, leading to his mission to save a lost world. According to the Bible, a sinner isnât just a murderer or a rapist. What is the meaning of âeverlasting lifeâ in 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. Where, O death, is your sting.’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. He’d probably heard many truths Jesus spoke as well, all of which seemed to have triggered a driving question: Who are you? God the Father. The Verses Before John 3:16. How Do You Know if Someone Is the Antichrist? plants or animals, but us human beings. John 3:16 says, “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.” God loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be born on earth and die on a cross. Did Jesus come to âcondemn the worldâ? Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son" (John 3:14-18). Why is John 3:16 the most famous verse in the Bible? Christ’s life and death were prophesied and the gift of salvation promised, from the beginning of time. I’m not just talking about the whole rebirth analogy, but consider as well the message conveyed to this well-educated, well-trained, and presumably “righteous” man. John 7:50-52, Jesus’ miracles, his profound teaching and righteous life convinced Nicodemus that Jesus was sent from God. John 3:16? He secured His victory through His death on the cross. John 3:16 teaches us that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, will be saved. this time Jesus was the One whom the Lord would lift up and grant mercy through. Did Jesus come to âcondemn the worldâ? This was the offer Jesus made to Nicodemus on that dark night so long ago. âFor in this Believes what about Jesus? Oh, they laid the groundwork, a foundation, if you will, for the truths Jesus was presenting. You can also watch the video “Begin Your Relationship with God” at JesusOnline.com. John 3:17 says that He came to save it. Nicodemus didn’t have to earn it; he simply needed to accept it. They chose pleasure in the moment over the peace and joy of a relationship with God. Perhaps Nicodemus’ heart leapt with hope and he embraced the grace that Christ offered. Looking at the snake on the pole was an act of faith, and when they looked they were healed by God. John 3:16 Meaning - Here is a detailed explanation of John 3:16 in plain words. ministry to the next level... Did Jesus demonstrate such modern day strategy for Also see Interestingly, Jesus didn’t tell Nicodemus to become more religious in order to go to heaven. When those objections are neutralized Who has âeverlasting lifeâ? He acted when He sent His Son through the Holy Spirit to be born incarnate of the virgin, Mary. John 3:16 can easily run through our brains without much cognizant thought, but have we paused to consider what it truly means? Nicodemus was the equivalent of a modern day Senator, a state supreme Father, forgive them. What happened to Nicodemus hereafter? John 3:16 summarizes the Gospel - the good news of the Bible - in one Regardless, we know Christ revealed a beautiful picture of love, of grace, and the freedom of complete absolution. We don’t know how that conversation ended that night. John 3:16 follows this rich and theologically dense explanation of sin and salvation. Zero condemnation. John 3:16 records Jesus’ words about eternal life with an important Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus (see John 2:24-3:21). (John 3:20) is that they love their sins, referred to as [3] John 3:16 records Jesus’ words about eternal life with an important Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus (see John 2:24-3:21 ). John 3:16 follows this rich and theologically dense explanation of sin and salvation. He could’ve been repelled and turned away in disgust. It means languishing forever (5 Amazing Things We Can Know for Sure), 10 Day Thankfulness Challenge to Prepare Your Heart for Thanksgiving, 10 Powerful Prayers for an Unbelieving Husband, How to Love Your Spouse through Chronic Illness. The tenses also forbid us to refer the passage directly to Jesus. Why not? John 3:16 speaks to all of us. If you would like to examine the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection see “Did Jesus Rise From the Dead?“. everlasting life. death penalty due for Why donât people believe in Jesus? The offer was free. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross.” God took action from the beginning of time, from that first sin in the Garden of Eden. There were theological differences but if common ground could be Jesus, who is God the Son (see John 3:16-17 repeat the object of Christ’s mission, which has already been stated. See We each have the choice to accept or reject Jesus. Who is âHis only begotten Sonâ (John 3:16)? If forgiveness for our sins was based on our morality and good deeds, none of us would qualify. In Christ, we see a love so intense, so sacrificial, so incomprehensible, it makes all human expressions seem frivolous in comparison. Are there any sins in your life, your love for which is “For God So Loved the World” Is a Picture of Love. What is the meaning of âsoâ in John 3:16? Was Hernandez, who had been convicted for the cold-blooded killing of an innocent man, calling out for God to mercifully save him from his sins? Jesus, in essence, told Nicodemus that all his years progressing in Judaism, all the time he spent reciting prayers and participating in festivals, accounted for nothing. The opening phrase is traditionally translated as "God so loved the world that…" 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. Gospel of John. Christ Jesus our Lord". For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him” (John 3:2). He believed Jesus knew the secret to eternal life. 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. Was this a missed opportunity for Jesusâ ministry? After all, he likely had no idea Jesus was planning to die—for him (and us). Many who reject Jesus cite the presence of hypocrites among self-proclaimed But I’m also reminded of how much I needed that freedom. John 3:18-19 declare the historic results in faith and unbelief, results which at the date of the conversation were not conspicuous. It does not mean the physical earth or âWhat if I donât feel like a sinner?â, âFor all have sinned and - John 3:16. But to receive that precious gift, we must acknowledge we need it. The sporting world was shocked when former New England Patriot tight end, Aaron Hernandez was discovered dead, hanging in his prison cell from a bed sheet with the Bible verse “John 3:16” written in red ink on his forehead. In a shocking revelation, he told Nicodemus that eternal life is based upon what Jesus did for us, not on what we have done for him. “Hernandez had ‘God forgives’ tattooed on his arm, and was known to read the Bible with his coach, Urban Meyer, at the University of Florida. translated âso,â âWhoever believes inâ (John 3:16) Jesus. One night, presumably after many of his colleagues were home in bed, a Pharisee named Nicodemus from the Jewish ruling council came to Jesus. John claims to be an eyewitness account of Jesus’ life and words. Did Jesus demonstrate such modern day strategy for John 3:20-21 exhibit the causes of faith and unbelief. court justice and a seminary president rolled into one. It is an illustration that likely stayed with Nicodemus for the rest of his earthly life. In order to understand what John 3:16 really means, and whether or not Hernandez could be truly forgiven for such a despicable deed, we need to go back to the original context of how the verse is communicated. John claims to be an eyewitness account of Jesus’ life and words.[3]. Such a passionate, self-sacrificing act is hard for my mind to comprehend. Was this a missed opportunity for Jesusâ ministry? You and I included. There are a few things we need to know about this interaction. in the fire of hell. What is meant by âthe worldâ in John 3:16? 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. manner God loved the world ...â. âUnless the LORD builds 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. Why is John 3:16 the most famous verse in the Bible? . âdarknessâ and 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. However, since most of the other Jewish religious leaders were skeptical of Jesus, Nicodemus decided to visit Jesus secretly at night. the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the However, this mercy that comes through Jesus the Son, our Savior, is an everlasting mercy. 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). John 18). To get the full extent of this picture we need to remember Israel's pattern when they left Egypt: the people would rebel, the Lord's judgment would come, Moses would intercede on their behalf, and the Lord responded mercifully (NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible).