John 3:36
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Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
hath everlasting life--already has it. (See on Joh 3:18 and Joh 5:24). shall not see life--The contrast here is striking: The one has already a life that will endure for ever--the other not only has it not now, but shall never have it--never see it. abideth on him--It was on Him before, and not being removed in the only possible way, by "believing on the Son," it necessarily remaineth on him! Note.--How flatly does this contradict the teaching of many in our day, that there neither was, nor is, anything in God against sinners which needed to be removed by Christ, but only in men against God! Next: John Chapter 4
Open source ↗In this chapter we have, I. Christ's discourse with Nicodemus, a Pharisee, concerning the great mysteries of the gospel, in which he here privately instructs him (v. 1-21). II. John Baptist's discourse with his disciples concerning Christ, upon occasion of his coming into the neighbourhood where John was (Joh 3:22-36), in which he fairly and faithfully resigns all his honour and interest to him.
Open source ↗3:36 God gave the gift of eternal life, promising new life and intimacy in a present experience with God. • Those who reject the Son will not see life. The world in its darkness stands under God’s angry judgment (Rom 1–3).
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.
But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—
For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.
Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!
Truly, truly, I tell you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death.”
Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”
and to await His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus our deliverer from the coming wrath.