john-3:16

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - John 3:1-36

SECOND VISIT TO JUDEA With reference to what occasion, and hence at what period of the year, did this visit take place (John 2:13 )? With what display of Jesus’ authority and power is it associated (John 2:14-17 )? Comparing this with Matthew 21:12-13 , it would seem that this transaction was repeated at the last Passover. In what manner did He refer at this time to His death and resurrection (John 2:18-22 ) ? What great discourse of Jesus is associated with this second visit to Judea (John... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - John 3:1-36

Nicodemus John 3:0 Let us consider how possible it is to be much, and yet to be nothing. In other words, let us consider how possible it is to be near, and yet to be at an infinite distance. If we could make this idea perfectly clear to ourselves we should begin to ask great questions; we should indeed inaugurate in our own souls the only temper in which it is possible to study the greatest theme with advantage and success. What did Nicodemus want? He impresses us favourably at every point. He... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - John 3:9-21

Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? (10) Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? (11) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. (12) If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things? (13) And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - John 3:16-17

Give his only begotten Son --- God sent not his Son into the world. He was then his Son, his only begotten Son, before he sent him into the world. He was not, therefore, his Son, only by the incarnation, but was his Son from the beginning, as he was also his word from all eternity. This was the constant doctrine of the Church, and of the Fathers, against the heresy of the Arians, that God was always Father, [1] and the Son always the eternal Son of the eternal Father. See note on chap. i.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - John 3:1-21

1-8 Nicodemus was afraid, or ashamed to be seen with Christ, therefore came in the night. When religion is out of fashion, there are many Nicodemites. But though he came by night, Jesus bid him welcome, and hereby taught us to encourage good beginnings, although weak. And though now he came by night, yet afterward he owned Christ publicly. He did not talk with Christ about state affairs, though he was a ruler, but about the concerns of his own soul and its salvation, and went at once to them.... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - John 3:1-99

John 3 THIS CHAPTER REALLY begins with a word, which may be translated, But, though it is omitted in the Authorised Version. Nicodemus was amongst those impressed with the miracles, but in his case something further existed. The signs he had witnessed had led him in his thoughts to God, and after God he sought. The orthodox way of seeking God was to go to the Temple, and that Nicodemus would have done by day. He chose the unorthodox way of seeking an interview with this “Teacher come from... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - John 3:14-17

The purpose of Christ's coming: v. 14. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, v. 15. that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. v. 16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. v. 17. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. The act of... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - John 3:1-21

VJESUS IN JERUSALEM, AND NICODEMUS AS A WITNESS OF THE FIRST POWERFUL IMPRESSION OF JESUS UPON THE PHARISEES. THE CONVERSATION OF CHRIST WITH NICODEMUS BY NIGHT CONCERNING THE HEAVENLY BIRTH AS THE CONDITION OF ENTRANCE INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. SYMBOLISM OF WATER, WIND, AND THE BRAZEN SERPENT.John 3:1-21(John 3:1-15, Gospel for Trinity Sunday; John 3:16-21, Gospel for 2nd Pentecost)1[But]1 there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2The same came to Jesus [him]2 by... read more

Alexander MacLaren

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture - John 3:16

John THE LAKE AND THE RIVER Joh_3:16 . I venture to say that my text shows us a lake, a river, a pitcher, and a draught. ‘God so loved the world’-that is the lake. A lake makes a river for itself-’God so loved the world that He gave His . . . Son.’ But the river does not quench any one’s thirst unless he has something to lift the water with: ‘God so loved the world that He gave His . . . Son, that whosoever believeth on Him.’ Last comes the draught: ‘shall not perish, but have everlasting... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - John 3:9-21

Love’s Great Gift: Received or Rejected John 3:9-21 Though physically on earth, our Lord was spiritually in touch with the heavenly realities. He was living among them and bore witness to them. Notice that must, John 3:14 . He was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, and the divine purpose of redemption would fail unless He fulfilled His part in the eternal compact. That which had been resolved upon before the foundations of the hills were laid must be carried out in all its... read more