John 3:16

American Standard Version

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 (ASV)

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Study this verse in context

Read first The explanation stays close to the text and to the chapter’s movement.

Verse explanation

John 3:16 reveals that salvation begins in God’s initiative, not in human worthiness. The Son is given because the world is perishing, not because it is spiritually healthy.

Context in the chapter

Jesus is confronting Nicodemus with the necessity of new birth. The verse stands inside that confrontation and shows that divine love does not bypass the need for radical rebirth.

⚔️ Confrontation

This verse is often quoted for comfort while its diagnosis is ignored. It speaks of perishing, unbelief, and the necessity of God’s gift before it speaks of assurance.

🧭 Interpretive caution

“World” highlights the scope of God’s saving purpose, not the innocence of humanity. The verse magnifies grace precisely because the world is lost.

Connections to other Scriptures

Romans 5:8 Jump to text

Paul also roots salvation in God’s initiating love toward sinners.

1 John 4:9-10 Jump to text

John later expands the same logic: love is seen in God sending his Son for life and propitiation.

Teaching points

Salvation begins in God’s love, not in human deserving.
Faith receives the Son God gives; it does not invent its own ladder to life.
Eternal life matters because perishing is real apart from Christ.

Bible study questions

What does this verse expose about every attempt to gain life apart from God’s gift of the Son?
How does this verse change the way you talk about love, judgment, and salvation together?

John 3:14-18 Standard

Love is revealed in the giving of the Son

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God’s love here is not sentimental approval. It acts through the giving of the Son so that those already under judgment may live. Condemnation is not introduced by Christ’s coming; his coming provides the only escape from it.

Persons, places, events, and background

People

Nicodemus A serious religious teacher who still had to be told that life from above cannot be produced by religious status.

Events

The giving of the Son The verse anticipates the cross as the concrete revelation of God’s saving love.

Cultural background

Teacher of Israel Nicodemus represents covenant knowledge and public seriousness, which makes Jesus’ insistence on new birth even more exposing.

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Compare Translations

BBE

For God had such love for the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever has faith in him may not come to destruction but have eternal life.

BSB

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

DBY

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believes on him may not perish, but have life eternal.

DRA

For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting.

FBV

For God loved the world, and this is how: he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who trusts in him shouldn't die, but have eternal life.

GNV

For God so loued the worlde, that hee hath giuen his onely begotten Sonne, that whosoeuer beleeueth in him, should not perish, but haue euerlasting life.

KJV

¶ 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.

OJB

For Hashem so had ahavah [(agape)] for the Olam Hazeh that Hashem gave the matanah [(gift)] of Hashemʼs Ben Yechid, so that whosoever has emunah in him may not be ne'evad [(lost, perish, be ruined with destruction)], but find Chayyei Olam.