Verse
Context
Jesus and Nicodemus
18Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.19And 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.20Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
This is the condemnation - That is, this is the reason why any shall be found finally to perish, not that they came into the world with a perverted and corrupt nature, which is true; nor that they lived many years in the practice of sin, which is also true; but because they refused to receive the salvation which God sent to them. Light is come - That is, Jesus, the Sun of righteousness, the fountain of light and life; diffusing his benign influences every where, and favoring men with a clear and full revelation of the Divine will. Men loved darkness - Have preferred sin to holiness, Belial to Christ, and hell to heaven. חשך chashac, darkness, is frequently used by the Jewish writers for the angel of death, and for the devil. See many examples in Schoettgen. Because their deeds were evil - An allusion to robbers and cut-throats, who practice their abominations in the night season, for fear of being detected. The sun is a common blessing to the human race - it shines to all, envies none, and calls all to necessary labor. If any one choose rather to sleep by day, that he may rob and murder in the night season, he does this to his own peril, and has no excuse: - his punishment is the necessary consequence of his own unconstrained actions. So will the punishment of ungodly men be. There was light - they refused to walk in it. They chose to walk in the darkness, that they might do the works of darkness - they broke the Divine law, refused the mercy offered to them, are arrested by Divine justice, convicted, condemned, and punished. Whence, then, does their damnation proceed? From Themselves.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
this is the condemnation, &c.--emphatically so, revealing the condemnation already existing, and sealing up under it those who will not be delivered from it. light is come into the world--in the Person of Him to whom Nicodemus was listening. loved darkness, &c.--This can only be known by the deliberate rejection of Christ, but that does fearfully reveal it.
John Gill Bible Commentary
For every one that doth evil, hateth the light,.... Every man, the series of whose life and conversation is evil, hates Christ and his Gospel, cause they make manifest his evil deeds, convict him of them, and rebuke him for them: neither cometh to the light; to hear Christ preach, or preached; to attend on the Gospel ministration and means of grace: lest his deeds should be reproved; or discovered, and made manifest, and he be brought to shame, and laid under blame, and advised to part with them, which he cares not to do; see Eph 5:11.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:19-20 When people live in spiritual darkness, they do not desire to be enlightened by Jesus, “the light of the world” (8:12; 9:5). Evil and darkness do not ignore the light; they wage war against it, trying to bring it down. But the darkness cannot extinguish the light (1:5). Those who refuse to believe live in darkness (cp. 13:30) and stumble because they cannot see (11:10). In the end, however, their sins will be exposed (5:28-30; Rev 20:11-15).
Jesus and Nicodemus
18Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.19And 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.20Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Greatest of These Is Love
By Corrie Ten Boom6.2K37:54LoveJHN 3:19JHN 12:46In this sermon transcript, the speaker shares their experiences and beliefs about the importance of spreading the word of God. They mention their work with feeble-minded children and how Jesus has a great love and concern for everyone in need. The speaker recounts a confrontation with a man who questions the value of converting abnormal individuals. The speaker also shares a story about saving Jewish people during the time of Adolf Hitler and the importance of winning souls for Jesus Christ. The transcript ends with a letter from a man sentenced to death, expressing gratitude for being able to share the message of salvation with his fellow inmates.
A Portrait No Artist Can Paint
By C.H. Spurgeon4.8K40:35MAT 5:14JHN 3:19REV 1:16The sermon transcript discusses the description of Jesus Christ as seen by John in the isle of Patmos. It emphasizes the impossibility of capturing the glory of Christ's face through any form of art. The sermon highlights the detestable nature of worshiping images of Christ, as it goes against the divine purpose. It also emphasizes the power of Christ's words, likening them to a sharp two-edged sword that can penetrate the hearts and minds of individuals. The sermon concludes by mentioning that Christ's presence brings purification and separation, separating the chaff from the wheat.
Light Rejected
By Keith Daniel3.2K1:10:00Rebellion Of ManMAT 6:33MAT 22:1JHN 3:16JHN 3:19JHN 3:212CO 3:18In this sermon, the preacher discusses the parable of the wedding feast from Matthew 22. He emphasizes that God has sent his servants to invite people to the wedding, but many have rejected the invitation. The preacher then highlights the famous verse, John 3:16, which speaks of God's love for the world and his gift of his only son for salvation. However, the following verses in John 3 reveal that people reject the light because they love darkness and their deeds are evil. The sermon concludes by discussing three responses to the light: rejection, neglect, and reflection.
Unpardonable Sin
By William P. Nicholson2.7K51:46PRO 1:20MRK 12:31LUK 18:11JHN 3:19In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the fact that preaching the gospel is a serious matter because it deals with the eternal destiny of human beings. He shares a story from the American Civil War to illustrate the urgency of the message. The preacher highlights the dangers of living in sin and the need for repentance and brokenness before God. He warns that sinning away the day of grace leads to a lack of recognition of one's need for salvation. The sermon emphasizes the importance of responding to the love of God and the means of grace provided by Him.
Reaching the Lost in Uncertain Times
By David Wilkerson2.5K30:46JHN 3:19JHN 17:21This sermon emphasizes the importance of unity and love among believers in reaching the lost in a world filled with darkness and tension. It highlights the need for Christians to love one another deeply, forgive, restore, and maintain unity as a powerful testimony to the world. The speaker urges the congregation to embrace unity and love as the key to penetrating the darkness and fulfilling the mission of sharing the Gospel.
Three Men Going to Hell
By Eli Brayley2.5K13:47HellJHN 1:9JHN 3:19In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of faith, stating that it is more precious than gold. He confronts a person named Mr. Obsonant, who refuses to walk in the light of God and obey His teachings. The preacher warns that on the judgment day, everyone's deeds will be exposed before God, man, and the angels. He also highlights the consequences of living in darkness and doing things that one knows are wrong, emphasizing the need to come into the light and follow God's truth.
Adamic Administration - Hamartology - Fall of Man
By John Murray1.8K50:08HamartologyGEN 3:10JHN 3:19In this sermon, the speaker discusses the radical revolution that occurred in the relationship between man and God after the events in the Garden of Eden. The speaker emphasizes the change in man's attitude towards God, as seen in Adam's fear and shame when he heard God's voice. This change in attitude resulted in a radical internal revolution within man, affecting his heart and mind. The speaker also highlights the consequences of this revolution, including the opening of man's eyes to their nakedness and the subsequent hiding from God's presence.
An Alarm to the Unconverted 3 of 5
By Joseph Alleine1.3K1:29:43Audio BooksJOL 3:16MAT 18:3MRK 16:16LUK 13:3JHN 3:19JHN 13:8ROM 8:13HEB 2:2HEB 10:28The sermon transcript emphasizes the importance of reading and understanding the word of God. It warns about the consequences of living in a state of sin and being unprepared for judgment. The speaker urges listeners to repent and turn to God, renouncing their idols and sinful practices. The sermon also highlights the power of the gospel to bring both salvation and condemnation, depending on one's response to it.
No Darkness in Him
By Erlo Stegen82500:00Character Of GodPSA 36:9MAT 6:33JHN 3:191JN 1:51JN 1:8In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of realizing that we will all die and have to give an account of our lives before God, who is our judge. The preacher shares a testimony of a person who had a moment of realization during a sermon that he too had to give an account of his life. The preacher quotes from the Bible, specifically 1 John 1:8-10, to highlight the need for confession of sins and the promise of forgiveness and purification from unrighteousness. The sermon also includes a story of a man who stole his neighbor's car but felt convicted and confessed his sin, illustrating the importance of repentance. The preacher encourages the listeners to accept God's word and to be transformed by the Gospel.
The Appearing of Resurrection and the Giving of Power
By Newman Sze8211:22:11MAT 28:1MAT 28:19MRK 16:15LUK 24:44JHN 20:19JHN 21:25In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the 40 days that Jesus spent on earth after His resurrection. He explains that during this time, Jesus trained His disciples to shift their focus from external things to internal revelation, from the flesh to the Holy Spirit, and from the law to life. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about a turbulent airplane ride to illustrate the need for Christians to rise above fear and rely on the Holy Spirit. He concludes by urging the audience to prioritize their personal encounter with the Lord and the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Before the Sanhedrin
By S. Lewis Johnson68350:11SanhedrinPSA 110:1MRK 14:53JHN 3:19In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of the kingdom of God and how it differs from the kingdom of men. He references the book of Daniel, specifically chapters 2 and 7, to explain the four great world empires and God's ultimate plan to bring in his kingdom. The sermon then shifts to the trial of Jesus Christ before the Sanhedrin, highlighting the irony and fulfillment of John 3:19. The trial is described as taking place in darkness and in a hurry, reflecting the condemnation of those who prefer darkness over light.
Crumbs for Dogs
By Phil Beach Jr.2054:41Christian LifeHumilityGrace and MercyJOB 42:6MAT 11:6MAT 15:21JHN 2:24JHN 3:19Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the profound love of Jesus for His enemies, illustrating how we often resist acknowledging our own sins and shortcomings. He reflects on the story of the Canaanite woman, who humbly accepted her status as a 'dog' in need of mercy, demonstrating that true faith comes from recognizing our need for grace. Beach challenges the congregation to confront their pride and self-righteousness, urging them to embrace humility and seek forgiveness at the foot of the cross. He reminds us that human love can turn to hatred when our self-image is threatened, but Jesus calls us to love our enemies as He loves us. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deep, honest relationship with God, where we acknowledge our sins and accept His mercy.
Why Revival Leaves
By Dean Taylor11SA 4:171SA 4:21ISA 42:8JER 1:10JER 8:7MAT 28:19JHN 3:19JHN 7:18JHN 16:82CO 12:7Dean Taylor delves into the topic of revival, exploring the reasons why revival tarries and why it eventually leaves. Drawing from historical accounts like the Lancaster revivals, Wesleyan revivals, and East African revivals, he emphasizes the dangers of pride, sin, and lack of discipleship in causing the departure of God's glory. Through the tragic story of Shiloh and the consequences of neglecting God's presence, he highlights the importance of obedience, humility, and continuous prayer in maintaining revival and preventing its departure.
Unbelief Not Ignorance!
By Rolfe Barnard1PRO 4:18JHN 3:19JHN 17:2ROM 1:18JAS 1:22Rolfe Barnard emphasizes the divine authority and power given to Jesus by God, highlighting the ultimate responsibility Jesus has in saving or condemning individuals. He stresses the importance of not altering or adding to the message of salvation through Christ. Barnard warns against rebellion and urges listeners to walk in the light and truth provided by God, as their response to God's truth will determine the path ahead.
Sinners Willful and Perverse
By Edward Payson0PRO 3:5MAT 21:28LUK 7:31JHN 3:191CO 1:18Edward Payson preaches about the unreasonableness and perverseness of sinners, likening them to children who refuse to participate in joyful or mournful activities. He emphasizes God's diverse efforts to persuade sinners to embrace the Gospel through various means and ministerial gifts. Despite God's abundant grace and the different approaches used by ministers, sinners often remain obstinate due to their own pride, selfishness, and opposition to God. Payson urges the congregation to examine their hearts and not deceive themselves with excuses for rejecting the Gospel, highlighting the importance of yielding to God's wisdom and grace.
A Word to the Unconverted
By James Smith0LUK 13:3JHN 3:19JHN 14:6ACT 4:12ROM 10:92CO 5:17GAL 2:20EPH 2:8PHP 1:21HEB 10:26James Smith passionately warns about the eternal consequences of sin and the urgent need for salvation through Jesus Christ. He emphasizes the reality of Hell and the importance of being born again to avoid everlasting destruction. Smith highlights the necessity of personally knowing and applying Jesus as Savior, emphasizing the need for repentance, faith, and surrender to Christ's lordship. He stresses the transformative power of Christ's blood, righteousness, grace, and Spirit in the life of a believer, urging a complete reliance on Jesus for salvation and sanctification.
Epistle 33
By George Fox0ISA 8:13MAT 18:20MAT 28:20JHN 3:19JHN 17:14ACT 26:18ROM 2:15ROM 5:17GAL 6:81PE 3:19George Fox preaches about the importance of waiting in the light of Christ, being guided by His power and wisdom, and manifesting the fear and dread of the Lord in all aspects of life. He emphasizes the need to be obedient to the power that comes from Christ, to avoid stumbling blocks, and to walk in righteousness and truth. Fox urges believers to condemn anything contrary to the light of Christ, to keep strife away, and to let the Prince of peace reign in their hearts.
Adore the Grace Which Opens Our Eyes
By Anne Dutton0PSA 27:14ISA 30:18MAT 13:11JHN 3:19Anne Dutton preaches about the importance of waiting on the Lord, even when it seems like He is silent, emphasizing that God's delays are not denials but opportunities for Him to display His infinite kindness and draw our hearts closer to Him. She encourages believers to trust in God's timing and to look forward to the rich answers to prayer that He is preparing in secret. Additionally, she highlights how the gospel reveals mysteries to the children of light, contrasting them with the children of darkness who are blinded by error and hatred for the light.
Before Pilate
By C.I. Scofield0PSA 119:30PSA 119:105PRO 23:23MAT 27:17JHN 3:19JHN 14:6JHN 18:37JHN 18:40C.I. Scofield delves into the profound lessons from the interaction between Jesus and Pilate, highlighting the nature of Christ's kingdom, the importance of truth, and the concept of substitution through Christ and Barabbas. The core of the lesson lies in understanding why Pilate, a man of great power, succumbed to fear and chose expediency over truth, reflecting the inner struggles of humanity in accepting and following Christ. Pilate symbolizes those who have given up on seeking truth, prioritize popularity over righteousness, and let unbelief extinguish their spiritual discernment, emphasizing the ongoing trial of Jesus in the hearts of individuals.
John 12:37-41. Some Refuse to Believe.
By Favell Lee Mortimer0EXO 33:18ISA 6:1LUK 2:32JHN 1:9JHN 3:19JHN 9:39JHN 12:402CO 3:162CO 4:61JN 1:5Favell Lee Mortimer delves into the perplexing concept of God blinding eyes and hardening hearts, explaining that it is a righteous judgment for those who love darkness and refuse to come to the light. The sermon emphasizes that all good comes from God, including righteous judgment, and explores the consequences of rejecting the light of Jesus. The glory of the Son of God is revealed through both divine power and human form, but only those whose eyes God has opened can truly behold this glory. The greatest calamity is being blind to the glory of the Redeemer, as believers cherish the goodness and love of God while unbelievers remain unable to comprehend it.
The Clean Water Sprinkled and the New Heart Given
By J.C. Philpot0PSA 51:7PSA 55:22PSA 110:3PRO 4:18ISA 1:18EZK 36:25JHN 3:19JHN 7:37ACT 9:6TIT 3:5HEB 9:11J.C. Philpot preaches about the cleansing power of God's clean water, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, to wash away filthiness and idols from the hearts of believers. He highlights the deep-rooted sins of unbelief and idolatry using examples from the children of Israel's history. Philpot emphasizes the need for the clean water to be sprinkled on the understanding, will, conscience, affections, and idols of individuals to bring about regeneration, sanctification, and a new heart and spirit. The sermon focuses on the transformative effects of God's clean water in cleansing, renewing, and purifying the innermost being of believers.
The Rejection of Gospel-Light, the Condemnation of Men
By Samuel Davies0MAT 11:21JHN 3:19JHN 8:12HEB 4:12Samuel Davies preaches about the condemnation of men who reject the light of the gospel due to their love for darkness, which stems from their evil deeds. He emphasizes that the entrance of light into the world should lead to enlightenment and salvation, but many choose ignorance and avoidance of the truth. The sermon delves into the reasons why people prefer darkness over light, highlighting the fear of exposure and the desire for ease and peace of mind. Davies warns of the self-condemnation and the aggravated condemnation in the eternal world for those who reject the light of the gospel, urging listeners to embrace the light and truth to avoid eternal darkness and punishment.
To Friends, Concerning the Light
By George Fox0Discernment in FaithThe Light of ChristJHN 3:19JHN 8:122CO 5:17George Fox addresses Friends everywhere, urging them to dwell in the light that comes from Christ, which enables them to see their Savior and grow spiritually. He emphasizes that those who are in Christ are new creations, free from condemnation, and can discern the deceivers and antichrists in the world. Fox warns against false teachers and those who exploit the faithful, asserting that true followers of Christ walk in the light and cannot be deceived by those who oppose it. He concludes by affirming that the light is the world's condemnation and will ultimately lead to the acknowledgment of God's just judgments.
From Him That Called You Into the Grace of Christ.
By Martin Luther0JHN 3:19ROM 6:14GAL 1:6GAL 5:1EPH 6:12Martin Luther emphasizes the importance of clinging to the grace of Christ, highlighting the benefits of Christ and the dangers of turning away from Him. He laments the world's rejection of the Gospel and its blessings, attributing it to the world being under the influence of the devil. Luther urges the Galatians to remain steadfast in the doctrine of grace and liberty in Christ, warning against being swayed by the demands of the law.
Epistle 54
By George Fox0JER 23:29MAT 24:11JHN 3:19JHN 15:1ACT 26:18ROM 13:12GAL 5:19EPH 5:11HEB 1:3HEB 4:121PE 1:232JN 1:7George Fox preaches to the babes of God, urging them to dwell in the eternal light of Christ, which comprehends the world and condemns all evil deeds and works of darkness. He emphasizes the importance of living in alignment with the light, which leads to Christ and exposes false prophets and antichrists who oppose it. Those who turn away from the light and rely solely on human wisdom are condemned, while those who dwell in the light receive knowledge from above and are guided by Christ's gentle wisdom.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
This is the condemnation - That is, this is the reason why any shall be found finally to perish, not that they came into the world with a perverted and corrupt nature, which is true; nor that they lived many years in the practice of sin, which is also true; but because they refused to receive the salvation which God sent to them. Light is come - That is, Jesus, the Sun of righteousness, the fountain of light and life; diffusing his benign influences every where, and favoring men with a clear and full revelation of the Divine will. Men loved darkness - Have preferred sin to holiness, Belial to Christ, and hell to heaven. חשך chashac, darkness, is frequently used by the Jewish writers for the angel of death, and for the devil. See many examples in Schoettgen. Because their deeds were evil - An allusion to robbers and cut-throats, who practice their abominations in the night season, for fear of being detected. The sun is a common blessing to the human race - it shines to all, envies none, and calls all to necessary labor. If any one choose rather to sleep by day, that he may rob and murder in the night season, he does this to his own peril, and has no excuse: - his punishment is the necessary consequence of his own unconstrained actions. So will the punishment of ungodly men be. There was light - they refused to walk in it. They chose to walk in the darkness, that they might do the works of darkness - they broke the Divine law, refused the mercy offered to them, are arrested by Divine justice, convicted, condemned, and punished. Whence, then, does their damnation proceed? From Themselves.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
this is the condemnation, &c.--emphatically so, revealing the condemnation already existing, and sealing up under it those who will not be delivered from it. light is come into the world--in the Person of Him to whom Nicodemus was listening. loved darkness, &c.--This can only be known by the deliberate rejection of Christ, but that does fearfully reveal it.
John Gill Bible Commentary
For every one that doth evil, hateth the light,.... Every man, the series of whose life and conversation is evil, hates Christ and his Gospel, cause they make manifest his evil deeds, convict him of them, and rebuke him for them: neither cometh to the light; to hear Christ preach, or preached; to attend on the Gospel ministration and means of grace: lest his deeds should be reproved; or discovered, and made manifest, and he be brought to shame, and laid under blame, and advised to part with them, which he cares not to do; see Eph 5:11.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:19-20 When people live in spiritual darkness, they do not desire to be enlightened by Jesus, “the light of the world” (8:12; 9:5). Evil and darkness do not ignore the light; they wage war against it, trying to bring it down. But the darkness cannot extinguish the light (1:5). Those who refuse to believe live in darkness (cp. 13:30) and stumble because they cannot see (11:10). In the end, however, their sins will be exposed (5:28-30; Rev 20:11-15).