John 3 20

John 3:20 kjv

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

John 3:20 nkjv

For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

John 3:20 niv

Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.

John 3:20 esv

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

John 3:20 nlt

All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.

John 3 verses

John 3 20 Meaning

John 3:20 articulates that those who habitually engage in evil actions actively dislike and avoid the divine light, personified by Christ. Their motivation is to prevent their wicked deeds from being revealed, reproved, and convicted by this truth-exposing light. This aversion to light reveals their love for darkness and is a form of self-judgment.

John 3 20 Context

John chapter 3 presents a dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and ruler of the Jews. Jesus speaks of spiritual rebirth as essential for entering the kingdom of God (3:3-8). This then transitions to a broader discourse on God's profound love in sending His Son (3:16-17) and the resulting judgment for those who reject Him (3:18). Verse 20 elaborates on the reason for this rejection: it is a moral decision stemming from a preference for darkness, driven by the desire to conceal wicked actions. The "light" Jesus refers to is not merely intellectual understanding but the illuminating truth of God, embodying God's standards and ultimately Himself. The historical-cultural context suggests that in the ancient world, "light" symbolized truth, revelation, goodness, and divine presence, while "darkness" symbolized ignorance, evil, concealment, and judgment. People in ancient societies were accustomed to seeking refuge or committing clandestine acts under the cover of night. John applies this physical concept to the spiritual realm, illustrating humanity's innate desire to hide moral failures from the divine gaze.

John 3 20 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): Introduces the reason or explanation for the statement made in the preceding verse (Joh 3:19). It explains why people loved darkness.
• everyone (πᾶς - pas): Denotes universality. This is a general truth applying to all who fall into this category, without exception, highlighting the pervasive nature of this human condition.
• who does evil (ὁ πράσσων φάυλα - ho prassōn phaula):
  • does (πράσσων - prassōn): A present participle, indicating a continuous, habitual, or characteristic action. It's not about a single act but a consistent way of living.
  • evil (φάυλα - phaula): Signifies that which is base, vile, worthless, or morally depraved. It points to deeds that are inherently wrong in God's eyes, actions that cannot withstand divine scrutiny.
• hates (μισεῖ - misei): A strong verb indicating active hostility and aversion, not mere indifference. It describes a conscious opposition and a passionate dislike for the truth and exposure that the light brings.
• the light (τὸ φῶς - to phōs): In John's Gospel, "the light" primarily refers to Christ Himself, who is the embodiment of truth, life, and divine revelation (Joh 1:4-9). It represents God's moral and spiritual standard.
• and does not come (οὐκ ἔρχεται - ouk erchetai): Reinforces the hatred by describing a deliberate avoidance. They actively resist approaching or embracing the light. This is a willful act of withdrawal.
• to the light (πρὸς τὸ φῶς - pros to phōs): Towards or in the presence of the light. Implies not engaging with it, not seeking its presence, and certainly not living according to it.
• lest (ἵνα μὴ - hina mē): A conjunction introducing a negative purpose clause. It indicates the motive behind their action—to prevent a specific undesirable outcome.
• his deeds (αὐτοῦ τὰ ἔργα - autou ta erga): Refers to a person's works, actions, or conduct. These are the practical outworkings of their internal moral state.
• should be exposed (ἐλεγχθῇ - elenchthē): An aorist passive subjunctive from ἐλέγχω (elenchō). This word is critical; it means "to be convicted, reproved, refuted, or shown to be guilty." It's not merely being seen, but being called out and proven wrong by the light. The passive voice suggests the light itself does the exposing.

Word-group analysis

• "For everyone who does evil hates the light": Establishes a fundamental, moral opposition. Those whose lives are characterized by unrighteousness develop an inherent antagonism toward divine truth and Christ. This is not ignorance, but a deliberate rejection.
• "and does not come to the light": This phrase emphasizes the practical outcome of the hatred. The aversion leads to an active withdrawal, a refusal to step into the realm of God's truth, fearing its consequences.
• "lest his deeds should be exposed": This reveals the core motivation: self-preservation of their unrighteousness. They fear the light's power to convict and unveil their moral reality, which would lead to guilt, shame, or condemnation.

John 3 20 Bonus section

This verse underscores the ethical dimension of unbelief. It implies that a significant barrier to receiving Christ is not intellectual difficulty but moral reluctance. The human conscience, when confronted with the purity of divine light, recognizes its own impurity, and the natural sinful inclination is to flee rather than embrace that truth which demands repentance and change. The desire for concealment suggests an awareness, however suppressed, of wrongdoing. This "love for darkness" is an act of spiritual self-will, choosing the comfort of deceit over the uncomfortable reality of divine truth. This forms a spiritual principle: continued engagement in darkness hardens the heart against the light, making conversion increasingly difficult, a tragic cycle of moral aversion.

John 3 20 Commentary

John 3:20 penetrates to the heart of human resistance to divine truth. It presents the unsettling truth that people's rejection of God's light (Jesus Christ) is not primarily due to a lack of evidence or understanding, but a moral choice rooted in their sinful nature. The word "evil" (phaula) refers to actions that are vile, worthless, and morally corrupt, characterizing a life lived against God's standards. The consistent nature of "does evil" (prassōn phaula) implies a lifestyle or habitual practice of such deeds. Such individuals actively "hate" the light because it threatens their self-justification and exposes their true spiritual condition. The term "exposed" (elenchthē) carries the powerful sense of being "convicted" or "reproved." The light doesn't just reveal; it shines so brightly that it brings forth an undeniable truth about one's actions, leading to moral conviction. This verse explains the judgment mentioned in the previous verse (Joh 3:19): the judgment is inherently present when Light enters a world that prefers darkness for the sake of hidden sin.