John 3:18 kjv
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 3:18 nkjv
"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:18 niv
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
John 3:18 esv
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
John 3:18 nlt
"There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son.
John 3 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 3:15 | Whoever believes in him may have eternal life. | Believing leads to eternal life |
| John 5:24 | Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. | Hearing and believing leads to life |
| John 10:10 | I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. | Jesus brings abundant life |
| Acts 4:12 | And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. | Salvation is only in Jesus’ name |
| Romans 8:1 | There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. | No condemnation for believers in Christ |
| Romans 10:9 | If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. | Confession and belief for salvation |
| 1 John 5:10 | Whoever believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself. | Belief in the Son confirms truth |
| Mark 16:16 | Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. | Belief and baptism essential; unbelief condemns |
| John 1:12 | But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, | Receiving and believing grants sonship |
| John 3:36 | Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but rather the wrath of God that remains on him. | Belief in Son equals eternal life; disobedience incurs wrath |
| Acts 16:31 | And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." | Believe in Lord Jesus for salvation |
| John 12:48 | The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. | Unbelief results in judgment |
| 1 Peter 4:17 | For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? | Judgment begins with God's people |
| Rev 20:11-15 | And I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. ... And the sea gave up its dead ... and death and Hades gave up their dead ... and they were judged, each one according to his works. | Final judgment of all |
| Luke 10:16 | The one who listens to you listens to me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me. | Rejecting Jesus' messengers is rejecting Jesus |
| John 1:4 | In him was life, and the life was the light of men. | Jesus is the source of life and light |
| John 1:9 | The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. | Jesus is the light for all humanity |
| 1 John 5:11 | And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. | Eternal life is found in God's Son |
| 2 Cor 4:4 | In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. | Satan blinds unbelievers to the gospel |
| Heb 12:14 | Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. | Holiness is required to see the Lord |
John 3 verses
John 3 18 Meaning
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of God's only Son.
John 3 18 Context
This verse is part of Jesus' discourse with Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader, in Jerusalem at night. Nicodemus has come to Jesus acknowledging His divine authority, stating that no one can do the miracles He performs unless God is with him. Jesus responds by emphasizing the necessity of being born again, or born from above, to see or enter the Kingdom of God. This concept initially confuses Nicodemus, who thinks in physical terms. Jesus then clarifies that being "born of the Spirit" is a spiritual rebirth, not a physical one. John 3:18 directly follows Jesus’ explanation about God sending His Son into the world not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. The verse thus presents a stark dichotomy: belief leads to salvation and life, while unbelief leads to condemnation and judgment.
John 3 18 Word Analysis
- Whoever (Ὁ πιστεύων - Ho pisteuōn): "The believing one" (present active participle, masculine singular). This emphasizes a continuous state of trust and reliance.
- believes (πιστεύων - pisteuōn): To have faith, to trust in, to believe. It's more than intellectual assent; it's a deep-seated trust that leads to action. This word group is foundational in the Gospel of John, defining the core requirement for salvation.
- in him (εἰς αὐτόν - eis auton): "Into Him." The preposition "eis" denotes movement or direction, indicating trust directed toward Jesus.
- is not (οὐ κρίνεται - ou krinetai): "Not is judged/condemned." Present passive indicative of κρίνω (krino). The passive voice indicates that God is the ultimate judge. The present tense suggests this state is immediately true for the believer, as they are shielded from condemnation.
- condemned (κρίνεται - krinetai): To judge, to condemn, to discern. This word carries the weight of divine judgment. The focus here is on escaping this negative outcome.
- but (δὲ - de): A particle indicating contrast, used here to introduce the alternative to belief.
- whoever (ὁ δὲ μὴ πιστεύων - ho de mē pisteuōn): "But the not believing one." This phrase directly contrasts with the previous clause, highlighting the negative path.
- does not believe (μὴ πιστεύων - mē pisteuōn): "Not believing." Again, the present participle emphasizes an ongoing state of disbelief.
- is condemned already (ἤδη κέκρται - ēdē kekritai): "Already has been judged/condemned." The perfect passive indicative of κρίνω (krino). The perfect tense is crucial, indicating a state that has been established in the past and continues into the present due to the existing condition of disbelief. This isn't a future penalty for a future act of unbelief, but the present reality for those who reject God's provision.
- because (ὅτι - hoti): "Because," introducing the reason for the existing condemnation.
- he has not believed (οὐ πέστευκεν - ou peplūsteuken): "Has not believed." The perfect active indicative of πιστεύω (pisteuō). The perfect tense here signifies a settled state of unbelief resulting from a past decision.
- in (εἰς - eis): "Into."
- the name (τὸ ὄνομα - to onoma): "The name." In biblical usage, "name" signifies the whole character, authority, and essence of a person. Believing in the name of Jesus means believing in His identity, His person, and His divine authority as God's Son.
- of God's only Son (τοῦ μονογενοῦς υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ - tou monogenous huiou tou Theou): "Of the only-begotten Son of God."
- only-begotten (μονογενοῦς - monogenous): From monos (only) and genos (kind, offspring). This term emphasizes Jesus' unique, singular nature as God's Son, not merely a favored human, but the One who shares the very essence of God. It highlights His divine pre-existence and unique relationship with the Father. This points to His deity and the unique revelation God provides through Him.
Word-Group Analysis
- "Whoever believes in Him...is not condemned": This phrase establishes a condition (belief in Jesus) and a positive outcome (freedom from condemnation). The emphasis is on the immediate security and justified status of the believer.
- "whoever does not believe... is condemned already": This clause presents the antithesis, establishing the consequence of rejecting Jesus. The "already" (ἤδη - ēdē) is vital; it means the state of condemnation is current for the unbeliever, a direct result of their continued rejection of God's offer of salvation in His Son.
John 3 18 Bonus Section
The term "only-begotten" (μονογενής - monogenēs) used for God's Son in this passage highlights Jesus' unique status within the Godhead and in relation to creation. It doesn't imply that God created Jesus or that Jesus is subordinate to God in essence, but rather signifies His singular, uncreated, and eternally unique relationship as the Son of God. This unique sonship is why faith in Him is the decisive factor in escaping condemnation. Scholars point out that the present tenses and perfect tenses in the verse convey an immediate and enduring spiritual reality regarding judgment. The "name" of Jesus is central; to believe in His name is to have confidence in His full divine authority and saving power.
John 3 18 Commentary
John 3:18 articulates a pivotal truth about salvation: it is a present reality determined by one's relationship with Jesus Christ. The choice is absolute, leading to either the absence of condemnation for the believer or the existing state of condemnation for the unbeliever. The condemned state for the non-believer is not a future punishment that hasn't yet occurred, but a present reality stemming from their refusal to accept God's singular provision for salvation—His Son. Believing in the "name" of Jesus means more than just acknowledging His existence; it encompasses trusting in His identity, His authority, His work of salvation, and His unique relationship as God's only Son. This verse underscores that rejecting Jesus is equivalent to rejecting God Himself.