John 3:16 in Context
John 3:16 read in its full chapter context. See the verses before and after, plus historical setting and flow of thought.
"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 (KJV)
Where This Verse Sits
John 3:16 appears in John chapter 3, verse 16. Jesus spoke these words to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, during a nighttime meeting around AD 27-28. Nicodemus came seeking answers about Jesus' miraculous signs. First-century Judaism emphasized God's covenant love for Israel specifically, so Jesus' declaration that God loved 'the world'—including Gentiles—was revolutionary.
The Verse Itself
"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 (KJV)
Flow of the Passage
To grasp John 3:16 fully, read it inside the surrounding paragraph. The verses before set up the argument, and the verses after show its outworking. John 3 as a whole carries forward the theme of salvation, and this single verse is one beat in that larger movement.
This verse, spoken by Jesus to Nicodemus, summarizes the entire gospel message. It reveals God's immense love for humanity, the sacrifice of His Son, and the promise of eternal life through faith.
Cross-References
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