John 3:21

21 But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.” ^[a]

John 3:21 Meaning and Commentary

John 3:21

But he that doth truth
That which is true, right and good: "he whose work is just", as the Ethiopic version renders it; or, "he that does that which is right", so the Persic; that which is according to the will of God, and from a principle of love to him, and with a view to his glory:

cometh to the light;
to Christ, and to his word, and ordinances:

that his deeds may be made manifest;
being brought to the light, to the test, and standard, whether they, are right, or wrong; and that it may appear,

that they are wrought in God;
or "by God"; by his assistance, and gracious influence, without which men can do nothing; for it is God that works in them both to will and to do: or, "according to God", as others render it; according to the will of God, both for matter and manner: or "for God", as the Ethiopic version renders it; for the glory of God, which ought to be the aim, and end of every action. The Persic version reads the whole thus, "that the work which is between God and him may be known"; that such deeds may be discovered, which are only known to God and himself.

John 3:21 In-Context

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.

20 Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

21 But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.”

22 After this, Jesus and His disciples went into the Judean countryside, where He spent some time with them and baptized.

23 Now John was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because the water was plentiful there, and people kept coming to be baptized.

Footnotes

• [a] Some translators close this quotation after verse 15.