Bible Strands
John 3:14
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus, a Jewish leader who has come to him at night. He has just declared that no one has ascended from heaven except the Son of Man (3:13) and now draws the analogy.
The words — ὕψωσεν (hupsōsen), "lifted up," is the hinge verb; it reappears in the same form in John 8:28 and 12:32, where it identifies the crucifixion.
The thread — The bronze serpent of Numbers 21:7–9 is the direct allusion; John 8:28 and 12:32 reuse the same verb to tie the cross to that event.
Why it lands — The verse terminates in a condition: belief in the lifted-up Son of Man is the stated requirement for eternal life (3:15). No alternative path is offered.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Cross-references
- Numbers 21:7 Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people.
- John 8:28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me.
- John 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.”
- Luke 24:26 Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?”
- Luke 24:44 Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”
- 2 Kings 18:4 He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it.
- Psalms 22:16 For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.
- Matthew 26:54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”
- Acts 2:23 He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.
- Luke 18:31 Then Jesus took the Twelve aside and said to them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything the prophets have written about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.