John 3:36
He that 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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πιστεύων
He that believeth
G4100
πιστεύων
He that believeth
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
2 of 24
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
εἰς
on
G1519
εἰς
on
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
3 of 24
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱῷ
the Son
G5207
υἱῷ
the Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
5 of 24
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
ἔχει
hath
G2192
ἔχει
hath
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
6 of 24
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
αἰώνιον·
everlasting
G166
αἰώνιον·
everlasting
Strong's:
G166
Word #:
8 of 24
perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπειθῶν
he that believeth not
G544
ἀπειθῶν
he that believeth not
Strong's:
G544
Word #:
11 of 24
to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱῷ
the Son
G5207
υἱῷ
the Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
13 of 24
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
ὄψεται
see
G3700
ὄψεται
see
Strong's:
G3700
Word #:
15 of 24
to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
17 of 24
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀργὴ
the wrath
G3709
ὀργὴ
the wrath
Strong's:
G3709
Word #:
19 of 24
properly, desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e., (by analogy), violent passion (ire, or (justifiable) abhorrence); by implicati
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
21 of 24
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
μένει
abideth
G3306
μένει
abideth
Strong's:
G3306
Word #:
22 of 24
to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)
Cross References
John 5:24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.John 1:12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:Ephesians 5:6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.1 Thessalonians 5:9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,Romans 5:9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.John 8:51Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.John 3:3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.John 10:28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.Revelation 21:8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.1 Thessalonians 1:10And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
Historical Context
This verse summarizes John 3's message. The alternatives are absolute: life or wrath. The wrath 'abides'—it's humanity's natural condition, only removed by faith. This isn't God becoming angry at unbelievers; it's describing the state of those who remain in sin, refusing the remedy. John the Baptist ends his testimony with this solemn declaration.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that God's wrath 'abides' on unbelievers rather than merely awaits them?
- How does this verse present eternal life as present possession rather than merely future hope?
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Analysis & Commentary
'He that 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.' The chapter concludes with the starkest contrast possible. Belief brings present possession of eternal life; unbelief means never seeing life while God's wrath 'abides'—continues to remain—upon the unbeliever. This isn't mere future consequence but present spiritual reality. Two conditions, two outcomes, no middle ground.