John 3:19

And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus, a Jewish leader who has come to him at night (John 3:2). The conversation has moved from the question of how one is born again to the verdict already pronounced on unbelief.

The words — κρίσις (krisis) carries the sense of a verdict already rendered, not a trial yet to come; it is the legal conclusion, not the courtroom.

The thread — John 9:39 states the same logic in first person: "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind." 2 Thessalonians 2:12 echoes the mechanism: God sends a deluding influence so that judgment falls on those who "delighted in wickedness."

Why it lands — The verse removes the excuse that the Light was unclear or absent; it was present, and the rejection was a choice driven by a desire not to be exposed. It asks the reader to name whether their distance from the Light is ignorance or preference.

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 this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Cross-references

John 8:12 Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
2 Thessalonians 2:12 in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.
John 9:39 Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.”
Romans 2:8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger.
John 12:43 For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
John 5:44 How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
Romans 1:32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.
John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.
2 Peter 3:3 Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
Luke 12:47 That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.