John Chapter 3

New Testament · Greek original · 36 verses

John 3 opens with a Pharisee named Nicodemus visiting Jesus under cover of darkness. Their conversation moves from physical birth to the necessity of being born from above, and culminates in the declaration that the Son of Man must be lifted up like the serpent in the wilderness, so that whoever believes may have eternal life.

The second half turns to John the Baptist, whose disciples are troubled by Jesus's growing popularity. John's answer, that his joy is complete in hearing the bridegroom's voice, and that he must decrease while the other increases, ties the chapter together around the central call: to believe in the one sent from above, or to remain under judgment.

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