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    John 3 (KJV)

    Read John chapter 3 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

    John 3

    Deep Verse Commentaries in This Chapter

    John 3:16

    "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten S…"

    John 3:17

    "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world…"

    John 3:3

    "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto…"

    Popular Verses in John 3

    Most searched verses from this chapter, with KJV text and context.

    John 3:16 KJV

    Salvation & Gospel

    John 3:17 KJV

    Salvation & Gospel

    John 3:3 KJV

    Gospels — Jesus' Words

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    John 3 Quiz — You Must Be Born Again

    Nicodemus by night, the new birth, and the most famous verse in the Bible.

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    John 3 Summary

    John 3 contains the Bible's most famous verse and one of its most important conversations. Nicodemus, a respected Pharisee and ruler of the Jews, comes to Jesus at night seeking answers. Jesus immediately redirects the conversation to spiritual rebirth: 'Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'

    Nicodemus is confused — how can a man be born a second time? Jesus explains that spiritual birth, like physical birth, is a work of the Spirit, not human effort. The chapter reaches its theological peak in John 3:16, the gospel in a single verse: God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. The chapter concludes with John the Baptist's testimony that Jesus must increase while he must decrease.

    Key Themes

    Born AgainGod's LoveSalvationBelief

    Key Verses in John 3

    "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

    — John 3:3

    The foundational requirement for entering God's kingdom — spiritual rebirth.

    "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."

    — John 3:16

    The most famous verse in the Bible — the gospel in one sentence.

    "He must increase, but I must decrease."

    — John 3:30

    John the Baptist's model of humility and Christ-centered living.

    Life Application

    John 3 confronts everyone — religious and irreligious alike — with the same requirement: you must be born again. Religion, morality, and knowledge are not enough. Spiritual life begins with a supernatural new birth, received by believing in Jesus. Have you been born again?

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is John 3 about?

    John 3 records Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus about being born again, contains the famous John 3:16 verse summarizing God's love and the gospel, and concludes with John the Baptist's testimony that Christ must increase.

    What does 'born again' mean in John 3?

    Being 'born again' means experiencing a spiritual rebirth — a new life given by the Holy Spirit. Just as physical birth brings physical life, spiritual birth brings spiritual life. It happens through faith in Jesus Christ.

    Why is John 3:16 so important?

    John 3:16 is considered the gospel in one verse because it summarizes the core of Christian faith: God's love motivated Him to give His Son, and whoever believes in Him receives eternal life instead of perishing.

    Read the full summary of John

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