John 3:18

Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus continues His discourse with Nicodemus, contrasting God’s purpose to save with the immediate condition of human response. The passage follows directly after the statement that the Son was sent to save, not condemn.

The words — πιστεύων (pisteuōn) means believing, and κρίνεται (krinetai) means is judged or condemned. The Greek syntax ties the continuous act of faith directly to the present state of not being condemned.

The thread — The belief-condemnation contrast runs through Romans 8:1 (no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus), 1 John 5:10 (belief in the Son brings internal testimony, unbelief makes God a liar), and Mark 16:16 (unbelief results in condemnation using future indicative verbs).

Why it lands — It requires the reader to acknowledge that belief in the Son is the sole determinant of present condemnation status. The text presents this as an immediate reality, demanding a clear stance on the Son's identity.

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

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Cross-references

1 John 5:10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son.
Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
John 5:24 Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.
1 John 5:12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 John 4:9 This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.
John 20:31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.
John 6:40 For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”