John 3:21

21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes into the light. He does this so that it will be easy to see that what he has done is with God's help."

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 "Here is the judgment. Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light. They loved darkness because what they did was evil.

20 "Everyone who does evil things hates the light. They will not come into the light. They are afraid that what they do will be seen.

21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes into the light. He does this so that it will be easy to see that what he has done is with God's help."

22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the countryside of Judea. There he spent some time with them. And he baptized people there.

23 John was also baptizing. He was at Aenon near Salim, where there was plenty of water. People were coming all the time to be baptized.