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.
John 3:19 in other translations
| BSB | And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. |
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| WEB | This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil. |
| ASV | And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. |
| YLT | ‘And this is the judgment, that the light hath come to the world, and men did love the darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil; |
| DARBY | And this is the judgment, that light is come into the world, and men have loved darkness rather than light; for their works were evil. |
| BBE | And this is the test by which men are judged: the light has come into the world and men have more love for the dark than for the light, because their acts are evil. |
| Webster | And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men have loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. |
What does John 3:19 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 3:17-21
17-21. not to condemn, &c.--A statement of vast importance. Though "condemnation" is to many the issue of Christ's mission (Joh 3:19), it is not the object of His mission, which is purely a saving one.
Barnes' Notes
That light is come. Light often denotes instruction, teaching, doctrine, as that by which we see clearly the path of duty. All the instruction that God gives us by conscience, reason, or revelation may thus be called light; but this word is used peculiarly to denote the Messiah or the Christ, who is often spoken of as the light. See Isa 60:1, 9:2. Compare Mt 4:16; also Jn 1:4. It was doubtless this light to which Jesus had particular reference here.
Men loved darkness. Darkness is the emblem of ignorance, iniquity, error, superstition--whatever is opposite to truth and piety. Men are said to love darkness more than they do light when they are better pleased with error than truth, with sin than holiness, with Belial than Christ.
Because their deeds are evil. Men who commit crime commonly choose to do it in the night, so as to escape detection. So men who are wicked prefer false doctrine and error to the truth. Thus the Pharisees cloaked their crimes under the errors of their system; and, amid their false doctrines and superstitions, they attempted to convince others that they had great zeal for God.
Deeds. Works; actions.
(q) "light is come into the world" Jn 1:4,9-11
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
John 3:19 in the original Greek
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Cross references for John 3:19
- John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:12
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
- John 9:39-41
And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
- Romans 2:8
But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
- John 12:43
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
- John 5:44
How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
- Romans 1:32
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
- 2 Peter 3:3
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
- John 15:22-25
If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
- Luke 12:47
And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
- John 1:4
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
- Hebrews 3:12-13
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- John 3:18
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.
- 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.
- John 3:20
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
John 3:19 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Y esta es la condenación: porque la luz vino al mundo, y los hombres amaron más las tinieblas que la luz; porque sus obras eran malas. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Or c’est ici le jugement, que la lumière est venue dans le monde, et que les hommes ont mieux aimé les ténèbres que la lumière, car leurs œuvres étaient mauvaises; |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Dies aber ist das Gericht, daß das Licht in die Welt gekommen ist, und die Menschen haben die Finsternis mehr geliebt als das Licht, denn ihre Werke waren böse. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Hoc est autem judicium: quia lux venit in mundum, et dilexerunt homines magis tenebras quam lucem: erant enim eorum mala opera. |