John 3:19 - CSB - "This, then, is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. (2024)

Simplified Cowboy Version
And this is why they will be judged harshly, God shined a light down into this dark world to show people the way to him, but people were more interested in the dark than the light. They like things that happen in the dark.

Legacy Standard Bible
And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
"This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.

Bible in Basic English
And this is the test by which men are judged: the light has come into the world and men have more love for the dark than for the light, because their acts are evil.

Darby Translation
And this is the judgment, that light is come into the world, and men have loved darkness rather than light; for their works were evil.

New King James Version
And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

World English Bible
This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Weymouth's New Testament
And this is the test by which men are judged--the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness more than they loved the Light, because their deeds were wicked.

King James Version (1611)
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loued darknesse rather then light, because their deedes were euill.

Literal Translation
And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness more than the Light, for their works were evil.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But this is ye codempnacion, that the light is come in to the worlde, and men loued the darknesse more the ye light: for their workes were euell.

Mace New Testament (1729)
and this is the subject of their condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men have loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

THE MESSAGE
"This is the crisis we're in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won't come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is."

Amplified Bible
"This is the judgment [that is, the cause for indictment, the test by which people are judged, the basis for the sentence]: the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.

American Standard Version
And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.

Revised Standard Version
And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And this is the condempnacion: that light is come into the worlde and the me loved darcknes more then light because their dedes were evill.

Update Bible Version
And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.

Webster's Bible Translation
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men have loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

New Century Version
They are judged by this fact: The Light has come into the world, but they did not want light. They wanted darkness, because they were doing evil things.

New English Translation
Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil.

Contemporary English Version
The light has come into the world, and people who do evil things are judged guilty because they love the dark more than the light.

Complete Jewish Bible
"Now this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, but people loved the darkness rather than the light. Why? Because their actions were wicked.

Geneva Bible (1587)
And this is the condemnation, that that light came into the worlde, and men loued darknesse rather then that light, because their deedes were euill.

George Lamsa Translation
And this is the judgment, that light has come into the world, and yet men have loved darkness more than light, because their works were evil.

Hebrew Names Version
This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.

International Standard Version
And this is the basis for judgment: The light has come into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light because their actions were evil.John 1:4,9-11; 8:12;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
And this is the judgment, that the light hath come into the world, and the sons of men have loved darkness rather than the light, for their deeds have been evil.

Murdock Translation
And this is the [fn] condemnation, that light hath come into the world, and men have loved darkness rather than light, for their deeds have been evil.

New Living Translation
And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.

New Life Bible
"The Light has come into the world. And the Light is the test by which men are guilty or not. People love darkness more than the Light because the things they do are sinful.

English Revised Version
And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

New Revised Standard
And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, this, is the judgment: That, the light, hath come into the world, - and men loved, rather the darkness than the light, for, wicked, were their, works.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And this is the judgment: Because the light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather than the light: for their works were evil.

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.

Lexham English Bible
And this is the judgment: that the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And this is the condempnation: that lyght is come into the worlde, and men loued darknesse rather then lyght, because their deedes were euyll.

Easy-to-Read Version
They are judged by this fact: The light has come into the world. But they did not want light. They wanted darkness, because they were doing evil things.

English Standard Version
And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

New American Standard Bible
"And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light; for their deeds were evil.

Good News Translation
This is how the judgment works: the light has come into the world, but people love the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds are evil.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And this is the dom, for liyt cam in to the world, and men loueden more derknessis than liyt; for her werkes weren yuele.

Young's Literal Translation
`And this is the judgment, that the light hath come to the world, and men did love the darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil;

return to 'Jump List'

return to 'Jump List'

this: John 1:4, John 1:9-11, John 8:12, John 9:39-41, John 15:22-25, Matthew 11:20-24, Luke 10:11-16, Luke 12:47, Romans 1:32, 2 Corinthians 2:15, 2 Corinthians 2:16, 2 Thessalonians 2:12, Hebrews 3:12, Hebrews 3:13

because: John 5:44, John 7:17, John 8:44, John 8:45, John 10:26, John 10:27, John 12:43, Isaiah 30:9-12, Luke 16:14, Acts 24:21-26, Romans 2:8, 1 Peter 2:8, 2 Peter 3:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:3 - Let Leviticus 11:16 - General Leviticus 13:10 - quick raw flesh Deuteronomy 30:17 - if thine 1 Samuel 28:8 - disguised 1 Kings 22:8 - but I hate him Job 21:14 - for we Job 24:13 - rebel Job 33:14 - perceiveth Psalms 14:1 - abominable Psalms 82:5 - walk Psalms 95:10 - and they Psalms 119:30 - chosen Proverbs 2:13 - walk Proverbs 5:12 - How Proverbs 8:36 - he Proverbs 10:21 - fools Proverbs 21:16 - wandereth Isaiah 5:13 - because Isaiah 6:10 - lest Isaiah 28:9 - shall he teach Isaiah 29:15 - and their works Isaiah 50:2 - when I came Isaiah 60:1 - General Jeremiah 5:31 - my people Jeremiah 6:19 - nor to Jeremiah 9:6 - refuse Jeremiah 17:23 - nor Ezekiel 8:12 - in the Hosea 5:4 - They will not frame their doings Hosea 11:2 - they called Hosea 14:9 - but Zephaniah 3:2 - correction Zechariah 7:12 - lest Zechariah 14:19 - punishment Matthew 13:13 - General Matthew 13:19 - and understandeth Mark 4:8 - fell Mark 16:16 - but Luke 10:14 - General Luke 14:24 - General Luke 20:7 - that John 1:5 - General John 5:40 - ye will not John 7:7 - because John 9:5 - long John 12:46 - am Acts 26:18 - and to Romans 1:18 - who hold Romans 1:21 - when Romans 8:1 - no Romans 10:10 - For with Romans 13:12 - works 1 Corinthians 2:8 - for Ephesians 5:11 - works 2 Thessalonians 1:8 - that know 2 Thessalonians 2:10 - they received 1 Timothy 6:5 - men 2 Timothy 4:3 - but Hebrews 3:10 - err Hebrews 11:6 - without 2 Peter 3:5 - they willingly 1 John 1:6 - walk Revelation 20:15 - whosoever

return to 'Jump List'

Genesis 3:12
Then the man replied, "The woman You gave to be with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate."

Genesis 3:13
So the Lord God asked the woman, "What is this you have done?" And the woman said, "It was the serpent. He deceived me, and I ate."

Genesis 3:16
He said to the woman: I will intensify your labor pains; you will bear children in anguish. Your desire will be for your husband, yet he will rule over you.

Genesis 3:21
The Lord God made clothing out of skins for Adam and his wife, and He clothed them.

Genesis 3:22
The Lord God said, "Since man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil, he must not reach out, take from the tree of life, eat, and live forever."

Genesis 18:27
Then Abraham answered, "Since I have ventured to speak to the Lord—even though I am dust and ashes—

Genesis 23:4
"I am a foreign resident among you. Give me a burial site among you so that I can bury my dead."

Job 1:21
saying: Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will leave this life. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Praise the name of Yahweh.

Job 19:26
Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet I will see God in my flesh.

Job 21:26
But they both lie in the dust, and worms cover them.

return to 'Jump List'

And this is the condemnation,.... Of him that believes not in Christ; that is, this is the matter and cause of his condemnation, and by which it is aggravated, and appears to be just:

that light is come into the world: by which is meant, not natural or corporeal light; though natural darkness is, by some, preferred to this, being more convenient for their evil works; as by thieves, murderers, and adulterers: nor is the light of nature designed, with which every man is enlightened that comes into the world; which, though but a dim light, might be of more use, and service, than it is; and is often rejected, and rebelled against, by wicked men, and which will be the condemnation of the Heathen world: but rather the light of divine revelation, both in the law of God, and Gospel of Christ; especially the latter is here intended; and which, though so great a favour to fallen men, is despised, and denied by the sons of darkness: though it may be best of all to understand it of Christ himself, the light of the world, and who is come a light into it; see John 8:12, who may be called "light", because he has set revelation in its clearest and fullest light; he has declared the whole mind, and will of God concerning the affair of divine worship, and the business of salvation: grace, and truth, are come by him; the doctrines of grace, and the truths of the Gospel, are most clearly brought to light by him; the types, and shadows of the law are removed; and the promises, and the prophecies of the Old Testament, are most largely expounded by him, and most perfectly fulfilled in him: and besides; he is the author and giver of the light of grace, by which men see themselves to be what they are, lost and undone sinners; and see him to be the only able, willing, suitable, sufficient, and complete Saviour: and he it is that now gives the saints the glimpse of glory they have, and will be the light of the new Jerusalem, and the everlasting light of his people hereafter. He, by his incarnation, may be said to "come into the world" in general, which was made by him, as God; and as he was in it, as man; though he was not known by it as the God-man, Mediator, and Messiah: and particularly he came into the Jewish world, where he was born, brought up, conversed, lived, and died; and into the Gentile world, by the ministry of his apostles, whom he; sent into all the world, to preach the Gospel to every creature, and spread the glorious light of it in every place:

and men loved darkness rather than light: the Jews, the greater part of them, preferred the darkness of the ceremonial law, and the Mosaic dispensation, and even the traditions of their elders, before the clear Gospel revelation made by Christ Jesus; and the Gentiles also, for the most part, chose rather to continue in their Heathenish ignorance, and idolatry, and to walk in their own ways, and in the vanity of their minds, than to embrace Christ, and his Gospel, and submit to his ordinances, and appointments; and the generality of men, to this day, love their natural darkness, and choose to walk in it, and to have fellowship with the works of darkness, and delight in the company of the children of darkness, rather than follow Christ, the light of the world; receive his Gospel, and walk in his ways, in fellowship with his saints: the reason of all this is,

because their deeds were evil; which they chose not to relinquish; and Christ, his Gospel and ordinances are contrary to them; for the doctrine of the grace of God, which has appeared, and shone out in great lustre, and splendour, in the world, teaches men to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts; and therefore it is hated, and rejected, by men.

return to 'Jump List'

This is the condemnation - This is the cause of condemnation; or this is the reason why men are punished.

That light is come - Light often denotes instruction, teaching, doctrine, as that by which we see clearly the path of duty. all the instruction that God gives us by conscience, reason, or revelation may thus be called light; but this word is used especially to denote the Messiah or the Christ, who is often spoken of as “the light.” See Isaiah 60:1; Isaiah 9:2. Compare Matthew 4:16; also the notes at John 1:4. It was doubtless this light to which Jesus had particular reference here.

Men loved darkness - Darkness is the emblem of ignorance, iniquity, error, superstition - whatever is opposite to truth and piety. Men are said to love darkness more than they do light when they are better pleased with error than truth, with sin than holiness, with Belial than Christ.

Because their deeds are evil - Men who commit crime commonly choose to do it in the night, so as to escape detection. So men who are wicked prefer false doctrine and error to the truth. Thus the Pharisees cloaked their crimes under the errors of their system; and, amid their false doctrines and superstitions, they attempted to convince others that they had great zeal for God.

Deeds - Works; actions.

return to 'Jump List'

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse John 3:19. This is the condemnation — That is, this is the reason why any shall be found finally to perish, not that they came into the world with a perverted and corrupt nature, which is true; nor that they lived many years in the practice of sin, which is also true; but because they refused to receive the salvation which God sent to them.

Light is come — That is, Jesus, the Sun of righteousness, the fountain of light and life; diffusing his benign influences every where, and favouring men with a clear and full revelation of the Divine will.

Men loved darkness — Have preferred sin to holiness, Belial to Christ, and hell to heaven. חשך chashac, darkness, is frequently used by the Jewish writers for the angel of death, and for the devil. See many examples in Schoettgen.

Because their deeds were evil. — An allusion to robbers and cut-throats, who practise their abominations in the night season, for fear of being detected. The sun is a common blessing to the human race-it shines to all, envies none, and calls all to necessary labour. If any one choose rather to sleep by day, that he may rob and murder in the night season, he does this to his own peril, and has no excuse:-his punishment is the necessary consequence of his own unconstrained actions. So will the punishment of ungodly men be. There was light - they refused to walk in it. They chose to walk in the darkness, that they might do the works of darkness-they broke the Divine law, refused the mercy offered to them, are arrested by Divine justice, convicted, condemned, and punished. Whence, then, does their damnation proceed? From THEMSELVES.

return to 'Jump List'