John 3

Rabbi, Teacher Come from God

Rabbi — Master, Teacher

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. John 3:2

Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews, admits that Jesus' miracles show He came from God, though he does not yet understand how fully true that is.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

Born of Water and of the Spirit

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 3:3–8

Jesus teaches that everyone must be born again through baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost to enter God's kingdom. It is His doctrine, taught from Adam onward.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Moses 6:59 — Adam taught: ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit.
• alluded to by 3 Nephi 11:38 — Be baptized in my name... or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.
• the same title in Mosiah 27:25 — All mankind must be born again, born of God.

Christ's Own Witness of Heavenly Things

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. John 3:11–12

Jesus testifies of heavenly things He has personally seen. He speaks as an eyewitness of heaven, not as a guesser.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in John 3:32 — What he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth.

Son of Man who Came Down from Heaven

Son of Man — the Son of Man of Holiness

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. John 3:13

Jesus says He came down from heaven and will return there. He is the Son of Man of Holiness, the Father.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interpreted by Moses 6:57 — Man of Holiness is his name, and the name of his Only Begotten is the Son of Man.
• alluded to by Ephesians 4:9-10 — He that descended is the same also that ascended.
• the same title in John 6:38 — 'I came down from heaven.'

Brazen Serpent

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: John 3:14–15

Jesus Himself explains that the bronze serpent Moses raised was a type of Him. As dying Israelites looked and lived, all who look to Christ lifted up on the cross can live eternally.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interprets Numbers 21:8-9 — The serpent of brass on a pole; whoever looked lived.
• the same title in Helaman 8:14-15 — Nephi uses the same brazen-serpent similitude of the Son of God being lifted up.
• the same title in Alma 33:19-22 — Alma: the type raised in the wilderness; look and live by believing in the Son of God.
• interpreted by John 12:32-33 — 'If I be lifted up'... signifying what death he should die.
• fulfilled by 3 Nephi 27:14 — My Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross.

Only Begotten Son, the Father's Gift

Only Begotten — the only child of the Father in the flesh

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 Father's love for the world moved Him to give His Only Begotten Son. Abraham's offering of Isaac, his only son, was a similitude of this gift.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• typified by Genesis 22:2 — 'Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest.'
• interpreted by Jacob 4:5 — Abraham offering Isaac is a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son.
• alluded to by 1 John 4:9 — God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

Savior, Sent to Save the World

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:17–18

The Son came to save, not condemn. Belief in His name is the key: those who reject the Only Begotten Son stay under condemnation by their own choice.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Mosiah 3:17 — No other name whereby salvation can come, only in and through the name of Christ.
• the same title in John 4:42 — The Saviour of the world.

Light Come into the World

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3:19–21

Christ is the Light that has come into the world. People who love their sins avoid Him, while those who do truth come to Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in John 1:9 — The true Light that lighteth every man.
• the same title in John 8:12 — 'I am the light of the world.'

Christ, the One John Was Sent Before

Christ — the Anointed One

And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John 3:26–28

When his disciples worry that everyone is going to Jesus, John rejoices and reminds them he was only the forerunner sent before the Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils Malachi 3:1 — I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me.
• the same title in John 1:20 — 'I am not the Christ.'

The Bridegroom

He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. John 3:29

John calls Jesus the Bridegroom and himself the Bridegroom's friend. In the Old Testament, the LORD is Israel's husband; Jesus is that divine Bridegroom of His covenant people.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Isaiah 62:5 — As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.
• the same title in Matthew 9:15 — Jesus calls Himself the bridegroom.
• the same title in D&C 133:10 — Behold, the Bridegroom cometh.

He Must Increase

He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30

John's humble joy: Jesus' influence must grow while his own fades. A true disciple points attention to Christ, not self.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

He That Cometh from Above

He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. John 3:31–32

Jesus came from heaven and is above everyone. He testifies of what He Himself has seen with the Father.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in John 3:13 — He that came down from heaven.

The Sent One, Anointed without Measure

Messiah — the Anointed One

He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. John 3:33–34

The Son is sent by God, speaks God's very words, and has the Spirit in fulness, not in a limited portion.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Isaiah 61:1 — The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me.

Beloved Son

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. John 3:35

The Father loves the Son and has entrusted Him with all power and all things. Salvation is in His hands.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by D&C 93:17 — He received all power, both in heaven and on earth.
• the same title in Matthew 28:18 — All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Believe on the Son

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:36

Everlasting life comes through faith in the Son. Rejecting Him means turning away from life itself.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by 1 John 5:12 — He that hath the Son hath life.