"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life". Thus solemnly does the meek Lord Jesus unfold these two truths. But Jesus finds him in the temple, and said, "Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee." And John told us thatwe receive this gift by grace through faith so that all who believe in Jesus would not perish but have everlasting life. Thus we feed on Him and drink into Him, as man, unto life everlasting life in Him. He bore witness that: "The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." John was to bear witness that Jesus Christ came from heaven as the . Was this false and blasphemous in their eyes? The evangelist has used this encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus to bring forth some important points. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning, He that believeth on the Son Who is a proper object of faith and trust; which, if he was not truly and properly God, he would not be: and this is to be understood not of any sort of faith, a temporary, or an historical one; but of that which is the faith of God's elect, the gift of God, and the operation of his Spirit; by which a man sees the Son, goes unto him, ventures and relies upon him, and commits himself to him, and expects life and salvation from him; and who shall not be ashamed and confounded; for such an one. God does not here condescend to call it His, though, of course, it was His and holy, just, and good, both in itself and in its use, if used lawfully. They should have understood more about Him those that were specially favoured. The spreader's ergonomic handles mean the SaltDogg is as comfortable as it is easy to use. How singularly is the glory of the Lord Jesus thus viewed, as invested with the testimony of God and its crown! John 3 Bible Commentary - Matthew Henry (concise) - Christianity This testimony differs from the rest in having a more permanent character. John 1:19-34; 3:22-36 In our study of the story of Melchizedek, we have deliberately skipped over the fact that some theologians believe this ancient king was the pre-incarnate Jesus. How was this? The anger of God for sin. Apparently these Christians haven't bothered to read what comes before and after John 3:16-18. This question is raised, or rather settled, by the Lord in Jerusalem, at the passover feast, where many believed on His name, beholding the signs He wrought. Here, accordingly, it is not so much the means by which life is communicated, as the revelation of the full blessing of grace and communion with the Father and His Son by the Holy Ghost, in whom we are blessed. It is not here spoken of as coming upon them, or as passing from them. The word, which occurs only here in the Gospels, is not the same as that at the beginning of the verse, and shows that the faith there intended is the subjection of the . Let them learn, then, that as Son of man (for which nature they despised Him, and denied His essential personal glory) He will judge; and this judgment will be no passing visitation, such as God has accomplished by angels or men in times past. Not Jacob was there, but the Son of God in nothing but grace; and thus to the Samaritan woman, not to the teachers of Israel, are made those wonderful communications which unfold to us with incomparable depth and beauty the real source, power, and character of that worship which supersedes, not merely schismatic and rebellious Samaria, but Judaism at its best. Verse John 1:29 opens John's testimony to his disciples. Study Guide for John 3 by David Guzik - Blue Letter Bible God orders matters so that a favoured teacher of men, favoured as none others were in Israel, should come to Jesus by night. Life eternal is to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent. One must be born again. Thus we have here the other side of the truth: not merely what God is in life and light, in grace and truth, as revealed in Christ coming down to man; but man is now judged in the very root of his nature, and proved to be entirely incapable, in his best state, of seeing or entering the kingdom of God. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. . He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. John is not saying that Christ in himself is not already as great intrinsically as he could possibly be. Before the manner of His manifestation comes before us in verse 14, we have the secret explained why some, and not all, received Christ. The [REAL] Meaning of John 3:16 NIV KJV - Christian Walls They knew what they worshipped, but not the Father, nor were they "true." It is not simply the new birth such as a saint might, and always must, have had, in order to vital relations with God at any time. (Verses John 1:41-44), On the morrow Jesus begins, directly and indirectly, to call others to follow Himself. I do not mean by this all individuals, but creation; for nothing can be more certain, than that those who do not receive the Son of God are so much the worse for having heard the gospel. John 3:30 - Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary - StudyLight.org Accordingly, if the law raised the question of righteousness in man, the cross of the Lord Jesus, typifying Him made sin, is the answer; and there has all been settled to the glory of God, the Lord Jesus having suffered all the inevitable consequences. And He did accept that place thoroughly, and in all its consequences. What can be conceived more notably standing out in contrast with the governmental system God had set up, and man had known in times past? John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects (John 3:36 KJV), He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. Footnotes. Her life is laid before her by His voice, and she confesses to Him that God Himself spoke to her in His words: "Sir [said she], I perceive that thou art a prophet." Here there could not be more, and He would not give less: even "grace upon grace." The last two views are more common. Does John 3:5 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation? Such shall live. But if the Spirit speaks of the Son of God, the law dwindles at once into the smallest possible proportions: everything yields to the honour the Father puts oil the Son. (Verses John 5:1-7), On the other hand, the Lord speaks but the word: "Rise, take up thy couch and walk." Doesn't John 3:16 mean that anyone can freely believe? But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." God cannot require for justification (whether initial or "final") both a faith that works and a faith that does not work or is apart from works. Shall not see life. (John 3:36 KJV). Here the Lord was really owned by the multitudes as the great Prophet that should come; and this in consequence of His works, especially that one which Scripture itself had connected with the Son of David. But this is not the question of grace: not what she was, but what He is who was there to win and bless her, manifesting God and the Father withal, practically and in detail. He holds a seat on the (John 3:36 DBY), he who is believing in the Son, hath life age-during; and he who is not believing the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God doth remain upon him. His exaltation there is not without notice in the gospel, but exceptionally. It can have meaning in the secular world, such as a "born again" politician who changes political parties, or in the religious world, where "born again Christian" is sometimes used to differentiate one from a "regular" Christian. If she turned aside to questions of religion, with a mixture of desire to learn what had concerned and perplexed her, and of willingness to escape such a searching of her ways and heart, He did not refrain graciously to vouchsafe the revelation of God, that earthly worship was doomed, that the Father was to be worshipped, not an Unknown. And anyone who believes in God's Son has eternal life. By the grace of God, John had come to know and appreciate the true identity of Jesus Christ. Why is John 3:16 the most famous verse in the Bible? After this we have, suitably to this gospel, John's connection with the Lord Jesus. But John was not merely an earthly witness pointing us to Christ. Home COMMENTARY What is the meaning of John 3:36? For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. To the Pharisees, indeed, his words as to the Lord are curt: nor does he tell them of the divine ground of His glory, as he had before and does after. #1 "He must become greater;". The first . John 3:16 and Eternal Security | Catholic Answers John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times. (Verse John 3:16), Let it not be passed by, that while the new birth or regeneration is declared to be essential to a part in the kingdom of God, the Lord in urging this intimates that He had not gone beyond the earthly things of that kingdom. (SeePsalms 2:1-12; Psalms 2:1-12) But the Lord tells him of greater things he, should see, and says to him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, henceforth (not "hereafter," but henceforth) ye shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of man. It is the necessary aspect of love and holiness toward those who reject love, and wilfully sin. Subtitle: Theology Speaker: Dr. Toby B. Holt Broadcaster: First Presbyterian Church Event: Sunday Service Date: 5/20/2021 Bible: John 3; John 3:1 Length: 36 min. (Verses John 7:3-5) The Lord intimates the impossibility of anticipating the time of God; but then He does it as connected with His own personal glory. It is the revelation of God yea, of the Father and the Son, and not merely the detecter of man. Deeper questions demanded solution. Believing in the existence of Jesus does not result in eternal life, for the historical evidence of His existence (in both sacred and secular writings) is irrefutable. 1:29), grants us repentance (2 Tim. The distinctiveness of such a testimony to the Saviour's glory need hardly be pointed out. (John 3: 36) "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him" The sentence has both expressed and implied meaning. This brings all to a point; for the woman says, "I know that Messiah cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things." He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. It was worldliness in its worst shape, even to the point of turning the glory of Christ to a present account. abideth on himIt was on Him before, and not being removed in the only possible way, by "believing on the Son," it necessarily remaineth on him! John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. "For God," He says, "so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 7:37) It is not a question of eating the bread of God, or, when Christ died, of eating His flesh and drinking His blood. Compare Romans 1:5, the obedience of faith. Such is the miserable condition of the sinner! No such sounds, no such realities were ever heard or known in Israel. Her testimony bore the impress of what had penetrated her soul, and would make way for all the rest in due time. But then again, as science fiction wri ter Theodore Sturgeon once said, when asked why so much science fiction was garbage, 90% of everything is crap. The Syriac and Arabic versions render it, "shall abide upon him"; so some copies. (VersesJohn 5:8-12; John 5:8-12), But were the Jews mistaken after all in thinking that the seal of the first covenant was virtually broken in that deliberate word and warranty of Jesus? What does the number 36 mean biblically? - KnowledgeBurrow.com (Ver. Both of them were in relation to man on the earth; the one while He was here, the other from above. Thus, manifestly, the whole question is terminated at the very starting-point of our gospel; and this is characteristic of John all through: manifestly all is decided. It will abide or dwell there as its appropriate habitation. His opposition to sin, and its terrible effects in this world and the next. At once their malice drops the beneficent power of God in the case, provoked at the fancied wrong done to the seventh day. Nothing is said about the fan in His hand; nothing of His burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire. But even this sufficed not: the Son of man must be lifted up. In our text, John hits it once more (and it won't be the last time! The Father did not judge, but committed all judgment into the hands of the Son, because He is the Son of man. Jesus explains: "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. He acts as such. It is no question here of every man, but of such as believe. Even now faith knows, that instead of sin being the great object before God, ever since the cross He has had before His eyes that sacrifice which put away sin. It is His person as incarnate first, then in redemption giving His flesh to be eaten and His blood to be drank. Gospel of John of the New Testament, Chapter 3, Verse 16 (John 2:1-25) The change of water into wine manifested His glory as the beginning of signs; and He gave another in this early purging of the temple of Jerusalem. So on the last day, that great day of the feast (the eighth day, which witnessed of a resurrection glory outside this creation, now to be made good in the power of the Spirit before anything appears to sight), the Lord stands and cries, saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink." None else could do either work: for here we see His great work on earth, and His heavenly power. John the Baptist was the earthly witness that God used to present His dearly beloved Son to the world. John gives us this point of contact with them, though in an incident peculiar to himself. Nevertheless the Son had taken the place of being the sent One, the place of subordination in the earth, in which He would say, "My Father is greater than I." For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him." This leads Philip to Nathanael, in whose case, when he comes to Jesus, we see not divine power alone in sounding the souls of men, but over creation. John is clear about why he wrote his Gospel (20:31): "so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing, you may have life in His name.". In the Word was life, and the life was the light of men. It is not merely or most of all a great prophet or witness: He is the Son; and the Father has given all things to be in His hand. Indeed, Jesus is God the Son, son of God the Father. "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God." As there is no way of escaping the wrath of God but by the Lord Jesus Christ, so those who will not believe must go to eternity "as they are," and bear alone and unpitied all that God may choose to inflict as the expression of "his" sense of sin. Nicodemus, not understanding in the least such a want for himself, expresses his wonder, and hears our Lord increasing in the strength of the requirement. What does John 3:36 mean in the bible? - Quora not the Jews only; for, as far as intelligence went, it was little better with the disciples till He rose from the dead. Jason Robertson on Twitter: "Does anyone else find it odd that John None the less did the result of His death proclaim His Deity. (ver. {n} He that believeth Heb 2:4; Joh 3:15,16, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window). Abideth on him - This implies that he is "now" under the wrath of God, or under condemnation. (John 3:31) Referring to Jesus, John declares, "The one who comes from above is above allThe one who comes from heaven is above all" (verse 31). Bridgeway Bible Commentary. Thus former things pass away; the old man is judged, dead, and clean gone. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours." Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment; but is passed from death unto life. Shall not see life - Shall neither enjoy true life or happiness here nor in the world to come. Why should He not show Himself to the world? Observe, it is not (as is often very erroneously said or sung) a question of sins, but of the "sin" of the world. First, we must worship, if at all, in spirit and in truth. John 3:36 - George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary. John 1:17; John 1:17) The law, thus given, was in itself no giver, but an exacter; Jesus, full of grace and truth, gave, instead of requiring or receiving; and He Himself has said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. The Bible is an anthology - a compilation of texts of a variety of forms - originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek. While both . Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. How were they not enjoyed in despised Samaria those two days with the Son of God among them! There He supposes His full rejection and death. "Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." This we have had fully before. "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." God the Father forms a new family in, by, and for Christ. Lesson 20: Once More: Why Believe in Jesus? (John 3:31-36) They entered not into His words more than His grace, but thought and spoke, like the Samaritan woman, about things of this life. Disbelief is regarded in its active manifestation, disobedience. Eternal lifeis only received by believing that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners and that salvation is a gracious gift of God. Blessed servant he of an infinitely blessed and blessing Master! Hath everlasting life. what does john 3:36 mean | Future Property Exhibiitons The brethren of the Lord Jesus, who could see the astonishing power that was in Him, but whose hearts were carnal, at once discerned that it might be an uncommon good thing for them, as well as for Him, in this world. Compare wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:16). For nothing can be more observable than the way in which He becomes the centre round whom those that belong to God are gathered. Of this we learn nothing, here. The issue of all is, that the will of man is the real cause and spring of enmity. How blessed the contrast with the people's state depicted in this chapter, tossed about by every wind of doctrine, looking to "letters," rulers, and Pharisees, perplexed about the Christ, but without righteous judgment, assurance, or enjoyment! You don't know if they know, or know and don't care, or if they are just U2 and know, don't care and deep down don't . This is grace and truth. He who, living, was received for eternal life, is our meat and drink in dying, and gives us communion with His death. There is the nicest care to maintain His personal glory, no matter what the subject may be. "For God sent not his Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world through him might be saved." And such was Jesus. ): (Comp. But this, however worthy of God, and indispensable for man, could not of itself give an adequate expression of what God is; because in this alone, neither His own love nor the glory of His Son finds due display. He that believeth he that obeyeth not Spurgeon's Verse Expositions of the Bible. Judgment is the alternative for man: for God it is the resource to make good the glory of the Son, and in that nature, in and for which man blind to his own highest dignity dares to despise Him. This would make all manifest. God wants people to be saved . Such is God's vindication of His outraged rights; and the judgment will be proportionate to the glory that has been set at nought. Title: "Born Again" - What Does This Term Actually Mean? Neither does the Spirit say exactly as the English Bible says "sons," but children. Thus it is not only the person of our Lord viewed as divine, and coming down into the world. John was a voice crying in the wilderness: "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. The wrath of God. The Lord Jesus presents Himself as putting an end to all this now for the Christian, though, of course, every word God has promised, as well as threatened, remains to be accomplished in Israel by-and-by; for Scripture cannot be broken; and what the mouth of the Lord has said awaits its fulfilment in its due sphere and season. It's our responsibility to live John 3:16 to those around us, to shine God's light everywhere we go. The wrath of God: "The word does not mean a sudden gust of passion or a burst of temper. (Ver. (Verses John 6:59-71) What and if they should see Him, who came down and died in this world, ascend up where He was before? Hell will "abide" on the person who does not believe in the Son. Very remarkable are the following words of the Jews (b) concerning the Messiah, whom they call the latter Redeemer: "whosoever believes in him "shall" live; but he that believes not in him shall go to the nations of the world, and they shall kill him.''. Without sign, prodigy, or miracle, in this village of Samaria Jesus was heard, known, confessed as truly the Saviour of the world ("the Christ" being absent in the best authorities, ver. John 3:36 New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95) 36 "He who believes in the Son has eternal life ; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life , but the wrath of God abides on him." The Meaning of John 3:16 KJV & NIV This is the essence of Christianity and the most quoted scriptures in the bible. 1 John 3:15 Commentary | Precept Austin Here the unlimited scene is in view; not Israel, but the world. (Ver. The close of the chapter shows us the Lord in Galilee. Quite the contrary!