John 3 19

John 3:19 kjv

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 nkjv

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

John 3:19 niv

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

John 3:19 esv

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

John 3:19 nlt

And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.

John 3 verses

John 3 19 Meaning

John 3:19 declares the fundamental basis for condemnation: it is not God's arbitrary decree, but rather humanity's deliberate and conscious choice to reject Jesus Christ, who is the Light revealing truth. When this divine light entered the world, people willingly preferred spiritual and moral darkness over the illuminating truth, precisely because their actions and lifestyle were steeped in wickedness and benefited from concealment. The verse thus highlights human responsibility for judgment, rooted in a love for sin over righteousness.

John 3 19 Context

John 3:19 concludes a pivotal discourse by Jesus, initiated during His nocturnal conversation with Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee. While beginning with the necessity of spiritual rebirth ("born again" or "born from above"), the conversation quickly expands to fundamental truths about salvation, belief, and judgment. Verses 16-18 established God's incredible love in sending His Son not to condemn but to save, clarifying that condemnation results from unbelief in the Son. Verse 19 then elaborates on why people disbelieve: it is a volitional rejection of truth motivated by a love for their own evil deeds, which thrive in darkness.

Historically, this verse addresses a spiritual worldview common in the Hellenistic world that sometimes involved dualistic concepts of light and darkness. However, John's Gospel strongly distinguishes biblical truth from such philosophical systems. For John, darkness is not a cosmic force equal to light but is the moral state of fallen humanity, characterized by sin and ignorance. Jesus' arrival is the definitive "Light" for a world enmeshed in moral "darkness." The polemic here is against those, particularly in Jewish leadership, who witnessed Jesus' divine signs and heard His teachings yet chose to reject Him, demonstrating that their lack of belief was due to an ethical preference for their sinful lives rather than genuine intellectual struggle.

John 3 19 Word analysis

• And this is: Links to the preceding verses, signaling a conclusion or clarification of the "condemnation" previously mentioned in Jn 3:18. It presents the fundamental principle or basis of judgment.
• the condemnation: (Greek: κρίσις, krisis). This term signifies judgment, separation, decision, or crisis. It is not primarily about predestined damnation, but rather the verdict, the process of distinction, or the crucial point of decision that occurs because the Light has arrived. The "condemnation" is inherent in the human response to the Light, not arbitrarily imposed by God.
• that the light: (Greek: φῶς, phōs). In John's Gospel, "the Light" preeminently refers to Jesus Christ Himself (Jn 1:4-9, 8:12, 12:46). He embodies divine truth, revelation, purity, and life, making God's nature and humanity's spiritual state clearly visible.
• is come: Indicates the historical event of the incarnation of Christ, the advent of divine revelation in human form, making truth accessible and undeniably present in the "world."
• into the world: (Greek: κόσμος, kosmos). Here refers to humanity, particularly mankind in its fallen, unregenerate state, characterized by moral darkness and rebellion against God. The Light came specifically to where darkness prevailed.
• and men loved: (Greek: ἠγάπησαν, ēgapēsan from agapaō). This verb denotes a deep, chosen, and often rational affection or preference. It's a striking and powerful word choice, indicating not mere preference or habit, but an active, deliberate devotion to darkness. It signifies volitional allegiance.
• darkness: (Greek: σκοτία, skotia). Represents moral evil, spiritual ignorance, sin, corruption, and the absence of divine truth and goodness. It's the sphere where evil deeds can thrive undetected.
• rather than light: Emphasizes a deliberate and decisive rejection, a preference against the clear truth and holiness offered by Christ. It is an act of opposition to God's self-revelation.
• because their deeds: (Greek: ἔργα, erga). Refers to actions, works, behaviors, or conduct. The emphasis is on people's moral and ethical practices. The reason for preferring darkness is deeply rooted in their active sinfulness.
• were evil: (Greek: πονηρά, ponēra). Signifies wicked, base, malignant, morally corrupt. The nature of their actions was inherently bad and preferred concealment from the exposing truth of the Light.

Words-group Analysis

• "And this is the condemnation, that the light is come into the world...": This phrase connects the cosmic event of the Light's arrival with the moral reality of human judgment. The very presence of truth serves as the catalyst and basis for condemnation, exposing who one truly is and what one genuinely prefers. It's not a new decree of condemnation but the revelation of pre-existing darkness, creating a moment of 'krisis' or decision.
• "...and men loved darkness rather than light...": This is the core statement about human responsibility. It refutes any idea that people are condemned purely by fate or divine caprice. Their condemnation stems from an active, internal inclination, a deep-seated affection and preference for what is false and morally corrupt over what is true and good. This love is a deliberate ethical choice.
• "...because their deeds were evil.": This provides the foundational motivation for the preference. People clung to darkness not out of ignorance but because their actions were wicked. The light exposes wrongdoing, causing discomfort and accountability. They instinctively retreat from the light that would reveal their depravity, demonstrating that their inner evil informs their rejection of Christ. This is the polemic against those who claim ignorance; it highlights willful blindness driven by active sin.

John 3 19 Bonus section

The concept of krisis (condemnation/judgment) in John is often presented as a present reality rather than exclusively a future event. For those who reject the Light, judgment begins now because their refusal to believe in Christ effectively cuts them off from life and truth, plunging them further into self-chosen darkness. The "condemnation" described is an immediate spiritual separation that naturally unfolds due to a continued choice of rebellion. It underscores that spiritual transformation involves not merely accepting a creed but embracing a new moral orientation that welcomes truth and righteousness, allowing the Light to illuminate and transform one's life.

John 3 19 Commentary

John 3:19 powerfully explains why some reject Christ and face judgment: the issue is ethical, not merely intellectual. The arrival of Jesus, the very "Light" of truth, love, and righteousness, serves as a crucial spiritual test for humanity. Condemnation, or "judgment," doesn't emanate from God's desire to punish, but rather from people's chosen response to this Light. Faced with the stark contrast between God's truth and their own sinful practices, many actively choose to embrace "darkness." This preference isn't accidental; it's driven by the desire to continue living a life characterized by "evil deeds" that cannot withstand the purifying gaze of divine truth. They are self-condemned because they find comfort and concealment for their unrighteousness in spiritual obscurity, actively spurning the revelation that would bring life and expose their corruption. The verse ultimately highlights profound human moral culpability: we are condemned because we love our sin more than we love the God who brings truth and salvation.

• Example: A person committing fraud avoids official audits. Spiritually, someone living a deceptive life avoids the biblical truth that would expose their inner motivations and actions.