John 3:21

Authorized King James Version

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But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Original Language Analysis

ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 1 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δὲ But G1161
δὲ But
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 19
but, and, etc
ποιῶν he that doeth G4160
ποιῶν he that doeth
Strong's: G4160
Word #: 3 of 19
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀλήθειαν truth G225
ἀλήθειαν truth
Strong's: G225
Word #: 5 of 19
truth
ἔρχεται cometh G2064
ἔρχεται cometh
Strong's: G2064
Word #: 6 of 19
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
πρὸς to G4314
πρὸς to
Strong's: G4314
Word #: 7 of 19
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 8 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φῶς the light G5457
φῶς the light
Strong's: G5457
Word #: 9 of 19
luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
ἵνα that G2443
ἵνα that
Strong's: G2443
Word #: 10 of 19
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
φανερωθῇ may be made manifest G5319
φανερωθῇ may be made manifest
Strong's: G5319
Word #: 11 of 19
to render apparent (literally or figuratively)
αὐτοῦ his G846
αὐτοῦ his
Strong's: G846
Word #: 12 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὰ G3588
τὰ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔργα deeds G2041
ἔργα deeds
Strong's: G2041
Word #: 14 of 19
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
ὅτι that G3754
ὅτι that
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 15 of 19
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 16 of 19
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
θεῷ God G2316
θεῷ God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 17 of 19
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἐστιν they are G2076
ἐστιν they are
Strong's: G2076
Word #: 18 of 19
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
εἰργασμένα wrought G2038
εἰργασμένα wrought
Strong's: G2038
Word #: 19 of 19
to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with, etc

Analysis & Commentary

'But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.' The contrast is complete: evil-doers flee light; truth-doers come to it. The phrase 'doeth truth' combines action and truth—genuine living, not mere profession. Such people welcome exposure because their deeds are 'wrought in God'—accomplished through divine enablement. They're not sinless but Spirit-empowered, and they welcome light's scrutiny.

Historical Context

The phrase 'wrought in God' emphasizes that good works are divinely produced. Coming to light proves nothing to hide (not sinlessness, but confession and dependence on grace). The contrast between verses 19-20 and 21 distinguishes those who resist Christ from those who embrace Him—the difference is moral disposition toward truth and light.

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