John 3:16

What does John 3:16 mean?

Jesus said these words to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews who came to him by night (John 3:1–2). Just before, Jesus compares himself to the serpent Moses lifted up in the wilderness. The verse sums up the gospel: God's love for the whole world moved him to give his Son, so that whoever believes in him has everlasting life.

How can I apply John 3:16 today?

Read verse 17 alongside it: God “sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world”. If you feel God is mainly disappointed in you, start from this verse instead. Read it slowly with your own name in place of “the world”, and answer with simple trust in Jesus.

In context · John 3:14–18

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Topics

Love · Christmas

Verse of the day

Friday, October 9, 2026