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.
John 3:21 in other translations
| BSB | But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.” |
|---|---|
| WEB | But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.” |
| ASV | But he that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, that they have been wrought in God. |
| YLT | but he who is doing the truth doth come to the light, that his works may be manifested, that in God they are having been wrought.' |
| DARBY | but he that practises the truth comes to the light, that his works may be manifested that they have been wrought in God. |
| BBE | But he whose life is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his acts have been done by the help of God. |
| Webster | But he that doeth truth, cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. |
What does John 3:21 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
Cometh to the light. Loves the truth, and seeks it more and more. By prayer and searching the Scriptures he endeavours to as certain the truth, and yield his mind to it.
May be made manifest. May be made clear or plain; or that it may be made plain that his deeds are wrought in God. He searches for truth and light that he may have evidence that his actions are right.
Wrought in God. That they are performed according to the will of God, or perhaps by the assistance of God, and are such as God will approve. The actions of good men are performed by the influence and aid of God, Php 2:12. Of course, if they are performed by his aid, they are such as he will approve. Here is presented the character of a good man and a sincere Christian. We learn respecting that character,
1st. He does truth. He loves it, seeks it, follows it.
2nd. He comes to the light. He does not attempt to deceive himself or others.
3rd. He is willing to know himself, and aims to do it. He desires to know the true state of his heart before God.
4th. An especial object of his efforts is that his deeds may be wrought in God. He desires to be a good man; to receive continual aid from God, and to perform such actions as he will approve. This is the close of our Lord's discourse with Nicodemus--a discourse condensing the gospel, giving the most striking exhibition and illustration of truth, and representing especially the fundamental doctrine of regeneration and the evidence of the change. It is clear that the Saviour regarded this as lying at the foundation of religion. Without it we cannot possibly be saved. And now it becomes every reader, as in the presence of God, and in view of the judgment-seat of Christ, solemnly to ask himself whether he has experienced this change? whether he knows by experience what it is to be born of that Spirit? If he does he will be saved. If not, he is in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity, and should give no sleep to his eyes till he has made his peace with God.
(s) "doeth truth" 1Jn 1:6 (t) "they are wrought" 3Jn 1:11
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
John 3:21 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for John 3:21
- 1 John 1:6
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
- Psalms 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
- 3 John 1:11
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
- Ephesians 5:9
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
- Philippians 2:13
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
- 1 John 4:15-16
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
- Psalms 119:105
נ NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
- 1 John 2:27-29
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
- Galatians 6:8
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
- John 1:47
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
- 1 Peter 1:22
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
- Philippians 1:11
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1:47; 5:39; Ps 1:1-3; 119:80,105; 139:23,24; Isa 8:20; Ac 17:11,12
1Jo 1:6
that his.
15:4,5; Isa 26:12; Ho 14:8; 1Co 15:10; 2Co 1:12; Ga 5:22,23; 6:8
Eph 5:9; Php 1:11; 2:13; Col 1:29; Heb 13:21; 1Pe 1:22; 2Pe 1:5-10
1Jo 2:27-29; 4:12,13,15,16; Re 3:1,2,15
they are.
3Jo 1:11
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- John 3:20
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
- John 3:21
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
- John 3:22
After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
John 3:21 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Mas el que obra verdad, viene á la luz, para que sus obras sean manifestadas que son hechas en Dios. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | mais celui qui pratique la vérité vient à la lumière, afin que ses œuvres soient manifestées, qu’elles sont faites en Dieu. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | wer aber die Wahrheit tut, kommt zu dem Lichte, auf daß seine Werke offenbar werden, daß sie in Gott gewirkt sind. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | qui autem facit veritatem, venit ad lucem, ut manifestentur opera ejus, quia in Deo sunt facta. |