📖 John — Chapter 3 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
John 3:2 The same Rcame to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, RExcept a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, RHow can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be Rborn of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:6 That which is Rborn of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:7 RMarvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
John 3:8 The Rwind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
John 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, RHow can these things be?
John 3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, RArt thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
John 3:11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, RWe speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
John 3:12 If I have told you Rearthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
John 3:13 And Rno man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, Reven so must the Son of man be lifted up:
John 3:15 That Rwhosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16 For RGod so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:17 For RGod sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him Ris 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 3:19 And Rthis is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 3:20 For Revery one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
John 3:21 But Rhe that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
John 3:22 After Rthese things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon Rnear to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
John 3:24 RFor John was not yet cast into prison.
John 3:25 Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews Rabout purifying.
John 3:26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, Rhe that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
John 3:27 John answered and said, RA man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
John 3:28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that RI said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
John 3:29 He that Rhath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
John 3:30 He Rmust increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: Rhe that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
John 3:32 And Rwhat he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
John 3:33 He that hath received his testimony Rhath set to his seal that God is true.
John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: Rfor God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
John 3:35 The RFather loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
John 3:36 He Rthat believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
John 3:1–15 — Nicodemus hears of new birth and the lifted Son of man
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Nicodemus recognizes a teacher from God, but Jesus speaks of being born again and the work of the Spirit. The lifted serpent supplies the comparison for the Son of man’s lifting and believing reception of life.
Key Truth: Do not reduce the need for new life to admiration of signs.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “There was a man of the ____ , named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:” (John 3:1)
Find it in John 3:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the ____ is spirit.” (John 3:6)
Find it in John 3:6 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal ____ .” (John 3:15)
Find it in John 3:15 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
John 3:16–21 — God’s love and the response to light
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The passage announces God’s gift of his Son and salvation through believing, while refusing belief leaves condemnation. Light exposes the difference between hiding evil and doing truth before God.
Key Truth: Respond to the Son with faith and an honest coming to the light.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “For God sent not his ____ into the world to condemn the world; but that the …” (John 3:17)
Find it in John 3:17 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “For every one that doeth ____ hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his …” (John 3:20)
Find it in John 3:20 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “But he that doeth ____ cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made …” (John 3:21)
Find it in John 3:21 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
John 3:22–36 — John rejoices as Jesus increases
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
A question about purification and Jesus’ growing following leads John to affirm that he is not the Christ. The bridegroom illustration expresses his joy, and the chapter closes with testimony concerning the Son, belief, and life.
Key Truth: Rejoice when attention moves toward Jesus rather than guarding your own prominence.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “After ____ things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of …” (John 3:22)
Find it in John 3:22 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the ____ of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly …” (John 3:29)
Find it in John 3:29 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “The Father loveth the ____ , and hath given all things into his hand.” (John 3:35)
Find it in John 3:35 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Numbers 21:9 — Jesus recalls the lifted serpent when describing the Son of man’s lifting.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What would coming honestly to the light change in your response to Jesus?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes John 3:1–15 (Nicodemus hears of new birth and the lifted Son of man) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes John 3:16–21 (God’s love and the response to light) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes John 3:22–36 (John rejoices as Jesus increases) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. How are God's love and the promised life connected?
5. How does John understand his relationship to Jesus' growing prominence?
Notes
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