John 3:17

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

For {G1063} God {G2316} sent {G649} not {G3756} his {G846} Son {G5207} into {G1519} the world {G2889} to {G2443} condemn {G2919} the world {G2889}; but {G235} that {G2443} the world {G2889} through {G1223} him {G846} might be saved {G4982}.

For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but rather so that through him, the world might be saved.

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.

Commentary on John 3:17 (KJV)

John 3:17 stands as a powerful declaration of God's benevolent purpose in sending His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. It directly follows the universally known John 3:16, expanding on the divine intention behind such an extraordinary act of love. This verse clarifies that the mission of Jesus was fundamentally redemptive, not punitive.

Context

This profound statement is part of Jesus' late-night conversation with Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews. Nicodemus approached Jesus seeking understanding about spiritual matters, especially the concept of spiritual rebirth, as discussed in John 3:3. In a cultural and religious setting where judgment and adherence to the law often dominated, Jesus' revelation of God's saving grace through His Son was a revolutionary and counter-intuitive message. Verse 17 underscores the core reason for the Incarnation: to offer a path to salvation rather than to pronounce immediate judgment upon a world already condemned by sin.

Key Themes

  • God's Redemptive Purpose: The primary message is God's active desire to save humanity, not to condemn it. This highlights His nature as a loving, merciful, and long-suffering God, who provides a way out of the consequences of sin.
  • Salvation, Not Condemnation: The verse explicitly states that Jesus' mission was not to condemn the world. While humanity stands under the condemnation of sin, Jesus' first advent was to offer a means of escape from that judgment. His purpose was to bring hope and a path to eternal life, distinguishing His first coming from His future role as judge (Acts 17:31).
  • The Centrality of the Son: Jesus, as God's Son, is the sole instrument through whom this salvation is achieved. He is the mediator, the one through whom the world "might be saved." This emphasizes His unique and indispensable role in God's plan for humanity's reconciliation.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "condemn" is krinō (κρίνω), which can mean to judge, decide, or condemn. Here, it specifically implies passing a sentence of judgment or damnation. Jesus' initial coming was not for this purpose. The word for "saved" is sōzō (σῴζω), meaning to save, deliver, preserve, or make whole. It encompasses spiritual deliverance from sin and its consequences, leading to spiritual healing and eternal life.

Practical Application

John 3:17 provides profound comfort and clarity for believers and offers a foundational truth for evangelism:

  • Reassurance of God's Love: It reminds us that God's heart is for our salvation, not our destruction. This truth can bring immense peace and confidence.
  • Call to Embrace Salvation: Understanding Jesus' purpose encourages us to embrace the salvation freely offered through faith in Him. As Romans 8:1 declares, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus."
  • Motivation for Evangelism: Knowing that God sent His Son to save the world should inspire believers to share this good news with others, reflecting God's desire for all to come to repentance and salvation (Luke 19:10).
  • Correcting Misconceptions: This verse helps to dispel the idea that God is primarily a God of wrath and judgment. While holy and just, His dominant characteristic revealed in Christ's first coming is mercy and a desire for reconciliation.

Reflection

John 3:17 serves as a cornerstone of Christian theology, beautifully encapsulating the heart of the Gospel: God's immense love, His Son's redemptive mission, and the gracious offer of salvation to all who believe. It defines the very purpose of Jesus' first advent, inviting all to accept the gift of life through Him.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 John 4:14

    ¶ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world.

  • Luke 19:10

    For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

  • John 12:47

    And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

  • John 12:48

    He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

  • John 6:57

    As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

  • John 6:40

    And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

  • 1 Timothy 2:5

    For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
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