King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Complete Jewish Bible:
For everyone who does evil things hates the light and avoids it, so that his actions won’t be exposed.
Berean Standard Bible:
Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
American Standard Version:
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, lest his works should be reproved.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
For{G1063} every one{G3956} that doeth{G4238} evil{G5337} hateth{G3404} the light{G5457}, neither{G2532}{G3756} cometh{G2064} to{G4314} the light{G5457}, lest{G3363} his{G846} deeds{G2041} should be reproved{G1651}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Ephesians 5:11
- And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].
Ephesians 5:13
- But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
John 7:7
- The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
Proverbs 4:18
- But the path of the just [is] as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Job 24:13
- ¶ They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.
Job 24:17
- For the morning [is] to them even as the shadow of death: if [one] know [them, they are in] the terrors of the shadow of death.
Proverbs 1:29
- For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
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Commentary for John 3:20
John 3:20 is a verse from the New Testament of the Christian Bible, specifically from the Gospel of John. This Gospel is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle and is known for its theological depth and symbolic language. The verse is part of a larger discourse between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council, who visits Jesus under the cover of darkness to inquire about the teachings of Jesus.
In the historical context, the Pharisees were a religious sect within Judaism known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the oral traditions. They often found themselves at odds with Jesus, who challenged their interpretations and practices. The theme of light and darkness is recurrent in the Gospel of John, symbolizing truth and ignorance or evil, respectively.
The verse itself speaks to the human tendency to avoid exposure and judgment of one's wrongdoings. It suggests that those who engage in evil acts are naturally averse to the light—a metaphor for truth, righteousness, and divine judgment—because the light reveals and condemns their deeds. The implication is that such individuals prefer to remain in darkness, where their actions can go unchallenged and unseen. This aversion to light is equated with hatred for the light, indicating a fundamental opposition to the principles of goodness and truth that the light represents.
In a broader theological context, this verse underscores the idea that revelation and salvation are found in Jesus, who is often described as the "light of the world" in the Gospel of John. It challenges believers to examine their own actions and motivations, encouraging them to live transparently and righteously rather than hiding in the shadows of sin and deceit. The verse also foreshadows the ultimate judgment that will come with the full revelation of Jesus Christ, urging individuals to confront their own darkness before it is exposed by the divine light.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G1063
There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γάρ
Transliteration: gár
Pronunciation: gar
Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet. - Strong's Number: G3956
There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πᾶς
Transliteration: pâs
Pronunciation: pas
Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever. - Strong's Number: G4238
There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πράσσω
Transliteration: prássō
Pronunciation: pras'-so
Description: a primary verb; to "practise", i.e. perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from ποιέω, which properly refers to a single act); by implication, to execute, accomplish, etc.; specially, to collect (dues), fare (personally):--commit, deeds, do, exact, keep, require, use arts. - Strong's Number: G5337
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φαῦλος
Transliteration: phaûlos
Pronunciation: fow'-los
Description: apparently a primary word; "foul" or "flawy", i.e. (figuratively) wicked:--evil. - Strong's Number: G3404
There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μισέω
Transliteration: miséō
Pronunciation: mis-eh'-o
Description: from a primary (hatred); to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less:--hate(-ful). - Strong's Number: G5457
There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φῶς
Transliteration: phōs
Pronunciation: foce
Description: from an obsolete (to shine or make manifest, especially by rays; compare φαίνω, φημί); luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative):--fire, light. - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος. - Strong's Number: G2064
There are 604 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔρχομαι
Transliteration: érchomai
Pronunciation: el'-tho
Description: middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) , or (active) , which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set. - Strong's Number: G4314
There are 674 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πρός
Transliteration: prós
Pronunciation: pros
Description: a strengthened form of πρό; 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, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at. - Strong's Number: G3363
There are 95 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἵνα μή
Transliteration: hína mḗ
Pronunciation: hin'-ah may
Description: i.e. ἵνα and μή; in order (or so) that not:--albeit not, lest, that, no(-t, (-thing)). - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G2041
There are 161 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔργον
Transliteration: érgon
Pronunciation: er'-gon
Description: from a primary (but obsolete) (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act:--deed, doing, labour, work. - Strong's Number: G1651
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐλέγχω
Transliteration: elénchō
Pronunciation: el-eng'-kho
Description: of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish:--convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove.