John 3:14

KJV

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} as {G2531} Moses {G3475} lifted up {G5312} the serpent {G3789} in {G1722} the wilderness {G2048}, even so {G3779} must {G1163} the Son {G5207} of man {G444} be lifted up {G5312}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Just as Moshe lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up;

Berean Standard Bible

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,

American Standard Version

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In this pivotal conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus draws a profound analogy between a historical event in Israel's wilderness journey and His own impending destiny. He declares that just as Moses elevated a bronze serpent to offer physical healing to those afflicted by venomous bites, so too must the Son of Man be "lifted up" to provide spiritual and eternal salvation to all who believe. This statement serves as a crucial bridge, connecting Old Testament typology with the New Testament reality of Christ's atoning work and setting the stage for the Gospel's core message of salvation through faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 3:14 is nestled within Jesus' nocturnal dialogue with Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and Jewish leader, recorded in [John 3:1-21](/john/3-1-21 "Jesus' Conversation with Nicodemus"). The conversation begins with Nicodemus's inquiry about Jesus' divine authority, leading Jesus to introduce the concept of spiritual rebirth ("born again") in [John 3:3-8](/john/3-3-8 "The Necessity of Being Born Again"). Nicodemus struggles to grasp this spiritual truth, prompting Jesus to pivot from the necessity of new birth to the means by which it is made possible: His own sacrificial death. Verse 14 acts as a foundational premise, explaining *how* eternal life (mentioned in [John 3:15](/john/3-15 "Eternal Life Through Belief")) is secured, directly preceding the beloved [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God's Love and the Gift of His Son"), which encapsulates the Gospel message. This progression highlights the divine plan for salvation, moving from the *what* (new birth) to the *how* (Christ's crucifixion) and the *why* (God's love).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The analogy Jesus employs directly references an event from Israel's wilderness wanderings, specifically recorded in [Numbers 21:4-9](/numbers/21-4-9 "The Bronze Serpent in the Wilderness"). After the Israelites complained against God and Moses, the Lord sent venomous "fiery serpents" among them, causing many to die. When the people confessed their sin, God commanded Moses to make a bronze serpent and mount it on a pole. Anyone who had been bitten and looked at the bronze serpent would live. This historical account would have been well-known to Nicodemus, a teacher of Israel. The act of "looking" was not a magical incantation but an act of obedient faith in God's prescribed means of healing. Culturally, serpents often symbolized evil or divine judgment (as seen in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "The Fall of Humanity")), making God's use of a serpent for healing a striking paradox that foreshadows Christ's work.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes within John's Gospel and broader biblical theology. The most prominent is the **Parallel of the Serpent and Christ**, where Jesus directly equates His "lifting up" with Moses lifting the serpent. This establishes a profound **Typology**, where the Old Testament event serves as a prefigurement of the New Testament reality. The phrase "even so **must** the Son of man be lifted up" underscores the **Divine Necessity** of Christ's suffering and death, indicating it was not an accident but a predetermined part of God's redemptive plan (as also seen in [Luke 24:26](/luke/24-26 "Did not the Christ have to suffer?")). Furthermore, the analogy implicitly highlights **Salvation Through Faith**, as just looking at the serpent brought physical life, so "looking" (believing) in the lifted-up Son of Man brings eternal life. This theme is explicitly developed in the subsequent verses, particularly [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God's Love and the Gift of His Son"), where belief is the condition for receiving eternal life. This "lifting up" also carries a double meaning of physical crucifixion and ultimate **Exaltation and Glorification**, a theme echoed in passages like [John 12:32-33](/john/12-32-33 "Jesus Foretells His Glorification Through Death") and [Philippians 2:8-9](/philippians/2-8-9 "Christ's Obedience and Exaltation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **must (Greek, _deî'_):** This word, derived from `G1163`, signifies divine necessity or obligation. It indicates that Christ's "lifting up" was not merely a possibility or a tragic event, but an indispensable and predetermined part of God's redemptive plan. It conveys a sense of divine imperative, highlighting that this path was the only way for humanity's salvation to be accomplished, rooted in God's sovereign will and purpose.
* **serpent (Greek, _óphis'_):** From `G3789`, this term refers to a snake. In the context of [Numbers 21](/numbers/21 "The Bronze Serpent"), the serpents were instruments of divine judgment against Israel's sin. Paradoxically, the bronze serpent, a representation of the very thing that brought death, became the means of life through God's command. This foreshadows Christ, who, though innocent, "became sin for us" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "Christ Became Sin for Us")) to overcome sin and death.
* **lifted up (Greek, _hypsóō'_):** Derived from `G5312`, this verb carries a dual significance. Primarily, it refers to physical elevation, specifically Jesus' crucifixion on the cross. However, in John's Gospel, it also inherently implies exaltation and glorification. The cross, though an instrument of shame and death, is paradoxically the means by which Jesus is exalted as King and Savior, leading to His ultimate glory and drawing all people to Himself ([John 12:32](/john/12-32 "Jesus Draws All People to Himself")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness":** This clause directly references the historical event in [Numbers 21:9](/numbers/21-9 "Moses Lifts the Bronze Serpent"). The Israelites, bitten by venomous serpents as a consequence of their sin and rebellion, faced certain death. God commanded Moses to construct a bronze serpent and elevate it on a pole. The act of "lifting up" here was a divine provision, a visible sign of God's mercy, through which those who looked upon it in faith were miraculously healed and spared from physical death. This serves as the Old Testament type, a concrete historical event intended by God to prefigure a greater spiritual reality.
* **"even so must the Son of man be lifted up":** This clause draws the direct parallel between the Old Testament type and the New Testament antitype, Jesus Christ. The phrase "even so" highlights the direct analogy. "The Son of man" is Jesus' preferred self-designation, emphasizing both His humanity and His divine authority, particularly in His role as the suffering servant and eschatological judge. The "must" (Greek: _deî_) signifies divine necessity, indicating that His "lifting up" – referring primarily to His crucifixion – was not an accident but a divinely appointed, indispensable act for the salvation of humanity. This "lifting up" also implies His subsequent exaltation and glorification, transforming the cross from an instrument of shame into the throne of His redemptive power.

#### Literary Devices
John 3:14 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological truth. The primary device is **Analogy**, specifically a **Typology**, where the Old Testament event of Moses lifting the bronze serpent serves as a direct prefigurement (type) of Jesus, the Son of Man, being lifted up (antitype). This analogy highlights continuity in God's redemptive plan, showing how ancient history foreshadows the climactic work of Christ. Furthermore, there is significant **Symbolism** at play. The serpent, a symbol of sin and judgment in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "The Fall of Humanity"), paradoxically becomes a symbol of salvation in [Numbers 21](/numbers/21 "The Bronze Serpent"), just as Christ, though sinless, becomes the ultimate sacrifice for sin, bearing its curse on the cross. The phrase "lifted up" itself contains **Double Entendre** or **Ambiguity**, simultaneously referring to Jesus' physical elevation on the cross and His subsequent exaltation and glorification. This paradox underscores that the very act of humiliation (crucifixion) is the path to ultimate triumph and divine glory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 3:14 is a cornerstone verse, illustrating God's consistent method of salvation through a divinely appointed means, requiring an act of faith. It reveals that the cross was not a contingency but a necessity, preordained in God's eternal plan to address humanity's sin problem. Just as the Israelites were dying from a spiritual consequence (their rebellion) manifested physically (serpent bites), so all humanity is spiritually dead due to sin. God's provision in both cases required a specific, visible act of obedience and trust in His appointed remedy. The bronze serpent was a physical object, but it was God's power, accessed through faith, that healed. Similarly, the cross, a physical instrument of death, became the means of eternal life through the spiritual power of Christ's atoning sacrifice, accessed by faith in Him. This verse thus establishes the foundational truth that salvation is not earned by human effort but received by grace through faith in the "lifted up" Savior.

* [Numbers 21:8-9](/numbers/21-8-9 "The Bronze Serpent and Healing")
* [Philippians 2:8-9](/philippians/2-8-9 "Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")
* [John 12:32-33](/john/12-32-33 "Jesus Foretells His Glorification Through Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 3:14 serves as a powerful reminder of the simplicity and profundity of the Gospel message. Just as the dying Israelites had only to look at the bronze serpent to live, so too are we called to "look" to Christ, to place our faith and trust in His finished work on the cross. This "looking" is not a passive glance but an active, believing reliance on Him for salvation from the deadly venom of sin. It underscores that our healing and eternal life do not come from our own efforts, good deeds, or religious rituals, but solely from the grace of God manifested in the sacrifice of His Son. For the believer, this verse deepens our appreciation for the cross, transforming it from a symbol of suffering into the ultimate demonstration of God's love and the source of our redemption. It calls us to fix our gaze upon Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith, recognizing that His "lifting up" was for our salvation and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Jesus' comparison of Himself to the bronze serpent reveal about the nature of sin and God's remedy for it?**
* **How does the "must" in "even so must the Son of man be lifted up" shape your understanding of God's sovereign plan for salvation?**
* **In what ways does "looking" (believing) in Christ for salvation parallel and differ from the Israelites looking at the bronze serpent for physical healing?**
* **How does understanding the dual meaning of "lifted up" (crucifixion and exaltation) deepen your appreciation for Christ's work on the cross?**

### FAQ
**Why does Jesus compare Himself to a serpent, which is often a symbol of evil in the Bible?**

Answer: This comparison is a profound example of biblical typology and paradox. While serpents often symbolize evil and temptation (as in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "The Fall of Humanity")) or divine judgment (as in [Numbers 21:6](/numbers/21-6 "Serpents Sent as Judgment")), the bronze serpent in [Numbers 21](/numbers/21 "The Bronze Serpent") was unique. It was God's divinely appointed means of healing and life for a dying people. Jesus, who was without sin, "became sin for us" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "Christ Became Sin for Us")) on the cross. He took upon Himself the curse and judgment that our sin deserved, much like the bronze serpent represented the very thing that brought death but became the instrument of life. The comparison highlights that the remedy for sin comes through God's paradoxical plan, where the one who bore the likeness of sin (though sinless) became the source of salvation.

**What does "lifted up" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: The Greek word for "lifted up" (_hypsóō_) carries a deliberate double meaning in John's Gospel. Primarily, it refers to Jesus' physical elevation on the cross, His crucifixion ([John 12:32-33](/john/12-32-33 "Jesus Foretells His Glorification Through Death")). However, John also uses it to signify Jesus' ultimate exaltation and glorification. The cross, though an instrument of shame and suffering, is paradoxically the means by which Jesus achieves His ultimate victory over sin and death, and is exalted to the right hand of the Father ([Philippians 2:8-9](/philippians/2-8-9 "Christ's Obedience and Exaltation")). Thus, "lifted up" encompasses both the suffering of the cross and the glory that followed, making the cross the pivotal point of salvation and divine revelation.

**How does this verse relate to John 3:16?**

Answer: [John 3:14](/john/3-14 "Jesus and the Bronze Serpent") provides the essential theological foundation for [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God's Love and the Gift of His Son"). While [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God's Love and the Gift of His Son") declares God's immense love and the provision of His Son for eternal life, [John 3:14](/john/3-14 "Jesus and the Bronze Serpent") explains *how* that eternal life is made possible: through the "lifting up" of the Son of Man. The "lifting up" is the means (Christ's atoning death), and "whoever believes in Him" ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God's Love and the Gift of His Son")) is the condition for receiving the benefit (eternal life). Together, these verses form a powerful summary of the Gospel: God's love motivates the sacrifice, and faith in that sacrifice brings salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 3:14 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ as the unique Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The bronze serpent in the wilderness was merely a type, a shadow pointing to a greater reality; it could only offer physical healing for a temporal affliction. Jesus, however, is the very substance of that shadow, the divine antitype who offers eternal life for the eternal problem of sin. His "lifting up" on the cross was not just a physical elevation but the climactic act of divine love and justice, where He, though sinless, became our substitute, bearing the full weight of humanity's sin and God's wrath ([Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "He Was Pierced for Our Transgressions")). Through this act, Christ disarmed the powers of darkness and triumphed over death itself ([Colossians 2:14-15](/colossians/2-14-15 "Triumph Over Powers and Authorities")). Thus, the cross, initially a symbol of Roman execution, is transformed into the throne of grace, from which the resurrected Christ draws all people to Himself ([John 12:32](/john/12-32 "Jesus Draws All People to Himself")), offering not just temporary relief but complete redemption and everlasting fellowship with God. He is the ultimate and final solution, the true object of saving faith, through whom all who look in belief receive spiritual healing and eternal life ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "The Wages of Sin and the Gift of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 21:7

Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

Numbers 21:9

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

John 8:28

Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am [he], and [that] I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

John 12:32

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto me.

John 12:34

The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

Luke 24:44

And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me.

Luke 24:46

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: