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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 3:15 that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/3-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/43_Jhn_03_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 3:15 - Jesus and Nicodemus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/3-14.htm" title="John 3:14">◄</a> John 3:15 <a href="/john/3-16.htm" title="John 3:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/john/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/john/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />so that everyone believing in Him may have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />so that everyone who believes will have eternal life in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />that whoever believes may in Him have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life [after physical death, and will actually live forever].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then everyone who has faith in the Son of Man will have eternal life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then everyone who believes in him will have eternal life."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />that everyone who believes in Him may not perish, but may have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />so that everyone believes in him may have life without end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />That whoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />in order that every one who trusts in Him may have the Life of the Ages."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />that everyone who is believing in Him may not perish, but may have continuous life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />so that everyone believing in Him may have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> that every one who is believing in him may not perish, but may have life age-during,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />That every one believing in him perish not, but have eternal life.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />That whosoever believeth in him, may not perish; but may have life everlasting. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />so that whoever believes in him may not perish, but may have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So that every man who believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />So that every person who believes in him shall not be lost, but shall have eternal life.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />that whoever believes on him may not perish, but have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>that every one believing in Him may have eternal life.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />that every one who believeth on him may not perish, but have life eternal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />in order that every one who trusts in Him may have the Life of the Ages."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>that every one who believes in Him may have eternal life.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>that whosoever believeth on Him may not perish, but have eternal life.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/3-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=715" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/3.htm">Jesus and Nicodemus</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">that</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pas (Adj-NMS) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">everyone</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">who</a> <a href="/greek/4100.htm" title="4100: pisteuōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.">believes</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echē (V-PSA-3S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">may have</a> <a href="/greek/166.htm" title="166: aiōnion (Adj-AFS) -- From aion; perpetual.">eternal</a> <a href="/greek/2222.htm" title="2222: zōēn (N-AFS) -- Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.">life.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">16</span>For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a></span><br />For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-40.htm">John 6:40</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-47.htm">John 6:47</a></span><br />Truly, truly, I tell you, he who believes has eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/11-25.htm">John 11:25-26</a></span><br />Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. / And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-46.htm">John 12:46</a></span><br />I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/20-31.htm">John 20:31</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-9.htm">Romans 10:9</a></span><br />that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-13.htm">Romans 10:13</a></span><br />for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/5-11.htm">1 John 5:11-13</a></span><br />And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. / Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. / I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/5-20.htm">1 John 5:20</a></span><br />And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-31.htm">Acts 16:31</a></span><br />They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/2-16.htm">Galatians 2:16</a></span><br />know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Ephesians 2:8-9</a></span><br />For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/3-5.htm">Titus 3:5-7</a></span><br />He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. / This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, / so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/21-8.htm">Numbers 21:8-9</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.” / So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze snake, he would live.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.</p><p class="hdg">whosoever.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16,36</a></b></br> For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/1-12.htm">John 1:12</a></b></br> But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, <i>even</i> to them that believe on his name:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/6-40.htm">John 6:40,47</a></b></br> 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… </p><p class="hdg">not.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/5-24.htm">John 5:24</a></b></br> Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/10-28.htm">John 10:28-30</a></b></br> And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any <i>man</i> pluck them out of my hand… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/18-11.htm">Matthew 18:11</a></b></br> For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.</p><p class="hdg">eternal.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/17-2.htm">John 17:2,3</a></b></br> As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/5-21.htm">Romans 5:21</a></b></br> That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/6-22.htm">Romans 6:22,23</a></b></br> But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/18-30.htm">Age-During</a> <a href="/luke/18-30.htm">Ages</a> <a href="/mark/16-16.htm">Believes</a> <a href="/mark/16-16.htm">Believeth</a> <a href="/john/1-12.htm">Believing</a> <a href="/luke/18-30.htm">Eternal</a> <a href="/john/2-24.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/john/1-4.htm">Life</a> <a href="/john/1-7.htm">Order</a> <a href="/luke/21-18.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/matthew/27-43.htm">Trusts</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/3-16.htm">Age-During</a> <a href="/john/3-16.htm">Ages</a> <a href="/john/3-16.htm">Believes</a> <a href="/john/3-16.htm">Believeth</a> <a href="/john/3-36.htm">Believing</a> <a href="/john/3-16.htm">Eternal</a> <a href="/john/3-16.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/john/3-36.htm">Life</a> <a href="/john/3-21.htm">Order</a> <a href="/john/3-16.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/john/3-16.htm">Trusts</a><div class="vheading2">John 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/3-1.htm">Jesus teaches Nicodemus the necessity of being born again,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/3-14.htm">of faith in his death,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/3-16.htm">the great love of God toward the world,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/3-18.htm">and the condemnation for unbelief.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/3-22.htm">Jesus baptizes in Judea.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/3-23.htm">The baptism, witness, and doctrine of John concerning Jesus.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In the context of the New Testament, this was a radical idea, as salvation was often thought to be limited to the Jewish people. This inclusivity is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a>, which states that there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for all are one in Christ Jesus. The use of "everyone" underscores the breaking down of barriers and the opening of God's promise to all humanity.<p><b>who believes</b><br>Belief is a central theme in the Gospel of John, where it is often synonymous with faith and trust in Jesus Christ. The Greek word used here, "pisteuō," implies a deep, personal trust and reliance, not just intellectual assent. This concept is foundational to Christian doctrine, as seen in <a href="/hebrews/11-6.htm">Hebrews 11:6</a>, which states that without faith it is impossible to please God. The emphasis on belief highlights the personal response required to receive the gift of salvation.<p><b>in Him</b><br>"In Him" refers specifically to Jesus Christ, the central figure of the Christian faith. This phrase underscores the necessity of faith being directed towards Jesus, as He is the object of belief. <a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a> reinforces this by stating that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him. The exclusivity of Christ as the means of salvation is a key tenet of Christian theology.<p><b>may have eternal life</b><br>"Eternal life" is a recurring theme in John's Gospel, representing not just an unending existence but a quality of life that begins now and continues forever in the presence of God. This concept is rooted in the Jewish understanding of life in the age to come, but Jesus expands it to include a present reality. <a href="/john/17-3.htm">John 17:3</a> defines eternal life as knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. The promise of eternal life is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and is central to the hope offered in the New Testament.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus about the necessity of being born again to see the kingdom of God. He is the one in whom belief is required for eternal life.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/n/nicodemus.htm">Nicodemus</a></b><br>A Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council who comes to Jesus at night seeking understanding about His teachings and the concept of being born again.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where this conversation takes place, a significant location for Jewish religious life and the setting for many of Jesus' teachings and miracles.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_serpent_in_the_wilderness.htm">The Serpent in the Wilderness</a></b><br>An event referenced earlier in <a href="/bsb/john/3.htm">John 3</a>, where Moses lifted up a bronze serpent in the desert so that those who looked upon it would be healed. This prefigures Jesus being lifted up on the cross.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_necessity_of_faith.htm">The Necessity of Faith</a></b><br>Belief in Jesus is essential for eternal life. This faith is not just intellectual assent but a trust and reliance on Him for salvation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/eternal_life_as_a_present_reality.htm">Eternal Life as a Present Reality</a></b><br>Eternal life begins the moment one believes in Jesus. It is not just a future promise but a present possession.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_universality_of_the_gospel.htm">The Universality of the Gospel</a></b><br>The offer of eternal life is available to "everyone" who believes, highlighting the inclusive nature of the Gospel.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_symbolism_of_the_cross.htm">The Symbolism of the Cross</a></b><br>Just as the Israelites looked to the bronze serpent for healing, we look to Jesus on the cross for spiritual healing and salvation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>Understanding and accepting the truth of Jesus' words requires the work of the Holy Spirit, who convicts and regenerates the believer.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_happens_in_the_apocalypse_of_moses.htm">Have you obeyed the Gospel of God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_find_joy_and_unity_in_christ.htm">How can we find joy and unity in Christ?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_jesus'_promise_linked_to_heaven.htm">How does Jesus' promise relate to heaven in Christianity?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'son_of_man_lifted_up'_mean.htm">What does "Son of Man lifted up" mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">Not perish, but . . .</span>--These words have been added here from the following verse. Omitting them, the sentence should be rendered, <span class= "ital">that every one who believeth may have in Him eternal life.</span> This construction is borne out by a comparison of <a href="/john/5-39.htm" title="Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.">John 5:39</a>; <a href="/john/16-33.htm" title="These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.">John 16:33</a>; <a href="/john/20-31.htm" title="But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name.">John 20:31</a>. "To believe in Him" is not used by St. John. (See Note on <a href="/john/1-12.htm" title="But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:">John 1:12</a>.) The thought of this verse is that as every Israelite, believing in God, had in the brazen serpent a message from God; so every man who believes in God ever has this message from God in the crucified Son of Man. The object of faith is not here expressed. The words speak only of the man who believeth, whose heart is open to spiritual truth. That man has, in Jesus Christ and Him crucified, a truth which goes to his inmost spirit, sending a new life through his whole being. To the non-believer this may be but the self-sacrifice of heroism. To the believer it is Light breaking upon the darkness of his soul; it is Life bursting the cold sepulchre of a deadened spirit; it is Love winning its way through the scales of a hardened heart; it is Mercy deeper and wider even than his sin; it is Hope bracing the man to a new life of holiness; it is the Word of <span class= "ital">God,</span> and in Him he has eternal life. The reader will not forget that the lifting up the serpent of brass followed the confession of the people. "We have sinned . . . pray unto the Lord that He take away the serpents from us" (<a href="/numbers/21-7.htm" title="Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against you; pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.">Numbers 21:7</a>).<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/3-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="grk">ἵνα</span> <span class="translit">(hina)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> </span><span class="str2">In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">everyone</span><br /><span class="grk">πᾶς</span> <span class="translit">(pas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁ</span> <span class="translit">(ho)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">believes</span><br /><span class="grk">πιστεύων</span> <span class="translit">(pisteuōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Him</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῷ</span> <span class="translit">(autō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">may have</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔχῃ</span> <span class="translit">(echē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">eternal</span><br /><span class="grk">αἰώνιον</span> <span class="translit">(aiōnion)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_166.htm">Strong's 166: </a> </span><span class="str2">From aion; perpetual.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">life.</span><br /><span class="grk">ζωὴν</span> <span class="translit">(zōēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2222.htm">Strong's 2222: </a> </span><span class="str2">Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/3-15.htm">John 3:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/3-15.htm">John 3:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/3-15.htm">John 3:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/3-15.htm">John 3:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/3-15.htm">John 3:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/3-15.htm">John 3:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/3-15.htm">John 3:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/3-15.htm">John 3:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/3-15.htm">John 3:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/3-15.htm">John 3:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/3-15.htm">NT Gospels: John 3:15 That whoever believes in him should not (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/3-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 3:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 3:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/3-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 3:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 3:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>