John 3:19-21 (WEL) “This is the reason for the condemnation because light has come into the world and people loved darkness instead of light because their actions were evil. 20 “Everyone who does evil hates the light and doesn’t come to the light so that his actions may be exposed and reproved [exposed and reproved is one word in Greek]. 21 “But the one who is doing the truth comes to the light so that his actions may be plainly seen that they are done in God.”
V19 “This is the reason for the condemnation because light has come into the world and people loved darkness instead of light because their actions were evil.
Also, see notes as John 3:17-18, which explains why all people are condemned. Jesus and His Gospel is the Light (John 14:6).
The Greek word for condemnation is G2920 κρίσις krisis, which means (Baker Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) “This term refers to legal action in a court of law (Matthew 5:21–22) and therefore can connote a legal decision or verdict that produces justice in a situation or condemnation for the guilty. Just as Jesus told the Jews to render a verdict with right standards (John 7:24), so also God’s verdicts are always just and true (John 5:30; 8:16; Revelation 16:7; 19:2).
“The term can refer to justice or the rightness of a verdict. The servant of the Lord would “proclaim justice” and rule “until he has led justice to victory” (Matthew 12:18, 20), which describes the right ways in which he rules the nations. On the contrary, Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees for failing to pay attention to “the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness” (Matthew 23:23; cf. Luke 11:42). Indeed, “justice was denied” Jesus when he was crucified (Acts 8:33).”
If the light has shown, there are no excuses of “I didn’t know.” Jesus made it clear, plain, known, but people refuse to believe because of 1) love of sin, 2) pride, and/or 3) believing lies. Compare Hebrews 11:25 (Moses did not), 2 Thessalonians 2:12, Titus 3:3, and 1 Peter 4:3.
The summary of the above 3 reasons is “loved darkness instead of light.” Darkness is associated with things hidden. In this case, it is not wanting their sins to be exposed. People do not like being exposed for doing wrong. This concept also teaches that God knows everything about an individual. When exposed by the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then I repented, confessed that I was a sinner, and put my faith and trust in Jesus alone.
V20 “Everyone who does evil hates the light and doesn’t come to the light so that his actions may be exposed and reproved [exposed and reproved is one word in Greek].
Some comments:
(Word Pictures in the New Testament (6 Vols.)) “The light hurts his eyes, reveals his own wickedness, makes him thoroughly uncomfortable. Hence, he does not read the Bible, he does not come to church, he does not pray. He goes on in deeper darkness.”
(New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) “When people live in spiritual darkness, they do not desire to be enlightened by Jesus, “the light of the world” (John 8:12; John 9:5). Evil and darkness do not ignore the light; they wage war against it, trying to bring it down. But the darkness cannot extinguish the light (John 1:5). Those who refuse to believe live in darkness (cp. 13:30) and stumble because they cannot see (John 11:10). In the end, however, their sins will be exposed (John 5:28-30; Revelation 20:11-15).”
V21 “But the one who is doing the truth comes to the light so that his actions may be plainly seen that they are done in God.”
When a person wants to follow the truth (reality) no matter where it leads, they must face the reality of their sin (breaking God’s laws and punishments for doing so).
When believers do what is right according to God, that will be examined in the light as well, but these will be seen that the person is living and doing aligned with God’s laws.
We learn:
- The natural person hates exposure of their sins.
- Jesus, God the Son, exposed and exposes (John 16:8 by the Holy Spirit) a person’s sins.
Questions:
- Do you want to follow the truth no matter where it leads?
- Do you refuse and fight the light?