John 3:21

21 But people who do what is true come to the light so that the things they do for God may be clearly seen.

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 This is why people are condemned: The light came into the world. Yet, people loved the dark rather than the light because their actions were evil.

20 People who do what is wrong hate the light and don't come to the light. They don't want their actions to be exposed.

21 But people who do what is true come to the light so that the things they do for God may be clearly seen.

22 Later, Jesus and his disciples went to the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them and baptized people.

23 John was baptizing in Aenon, near Salim. Water was plentiful there. (People came to John to be baptized,