John 3:16
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.
Word-by-Word Analysis
Cross References
Related verses that illuminate this passage (hover to preview):
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1
Romans 5:8
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.— God commendeth his love
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2
1 John 4:9
1 John 4:9
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.— God sent his only begotten Son
Analysis
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. This verse, often called the "Gospel in miniature," encapsulates the entire biblical narrative of redemption. The Greek construction emphasizes the manner and extent of God's love: houtōs (οὕτως, "so" or "in this way") points not merely to degree but to the specific manner—through sacrificial giving.
The phrase "only begotten" (monogenēs, μονογενής) literally means "one of a kind" or "unique," emphasizing Christ's distinctive relationship to the Father rather than necessarily temporal generation. This word appears five times in John's writings (John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18; 1 John 4:9), always highlighting Christ's unique divine sonship.
"The world" (kosmos, κόσμος) in John's Gospel typically refers to fallen humanity in rebellion against God (John 1:10; 15:18-19). That God loves this world—hostile, rebellious, and alienated—demonstrates the radical nature of divine grace. The purpose clause reveals God's desire: not condemnation but salvation, not death but eternal life.
Historical Context
Jesus spoke these words to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, during a nighttime conversation that reveals the tension surrounding Jesus' ministry. Nicodemus represented the religious elite who struggled to understand Jesus' revolutionary teachings about spiritual rebirth and salvation.
The context of Jesus' statement connects to the bronze serpent incident (Numbers 21:4-9), which Jesus had just referenced. In the wilderness, when venomous serpents bit the Israelites, God commanded Moses to make a bronze serpent and lift it up on a pole. Anyone who looked upon it would live. This historical parallel illustrates how Christ, lifted up on the cross, becomes the means of salvation for all who look to Him in faith.
For first-century Jews, the concept of God's love extending to "the world" (including Gentiles) was revolutionary. Jewish thought generally emphasized God's special love for Israel, making this universal scope of divine love a radical departure that would later become central to Paul's Gentile mission.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the phrase 'God so loved the world' challenge both ancient Jewish particularism and modern religious exclusivism?
- What does it mean that God 'gave' His Son, and how does this relate to theories of atonement and sacrifice?
- How should we understand 'eternal life' not just as quantity but quality of existence, beginning now rather than only in the future?
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