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John 3:16 in Context

JohnGospelSalvation

The gospel in one verse

John 3:16 is the best-known verse in the Bible. But it sits inside a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus about being born again — which gives it its full depth.

Key truths

  • You must be born again to see the kingdom of God (v3, v5)

  • God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (v16)

  • God sent His Son to save, not to condemn (v17)

  • Light has come into the world — we are called out of darkness (v19, v21)

Application

Read verse 16 as if for the first time. “Whosoever” includes you. How does God's love, given at such cost, change the way you live today?

Reflection

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…” — John 3:16

Key verses (6)

John 3:3

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Ye must be born again

John 3:5

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Born of water and of the Spirit

John 3:16

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.

God so loved the world

John 3:17

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Sent to save, not condemn

John 3:19

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Light is come into the world

John 3:21

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Doing truth, coming to the light