The current selection from the gospel of John is taken from Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus who comes at night, under the cloak of darkness. It was Nicodemus who initiates the conversation but the topic of the conversation is wholly dictated by Jesus. At first, they speak about being born from above (vv. 3-8), then by way of explanation, the topic shifts to faith in the one who comes from God (v.2) and its consequences.
The whole of chapter 3 continues the theme already begun with the account of the first sign at Cana. Here, Jesus invalidates "birthright" as a requirement for the Kingdom of God. Henceforward, faith in the only begotten Son of God is the main criterion for gaining entrance into the Kingdom.
Second, the contents of vv. 13-21 is presented as a proclamation of faith. In vv. 11-12, the voice of the Johanine community is heard united with the voice of Jesus. These verses are similar in formulation with the introduction of the first letter of John (1 John 1:1-3). Here, however, verses 11-12 sounds like a reproach to the Jews who would not accept the testimony of the Church.
Verses 13-21 then is the Johanine community's and Jesus' declaration to the Jews about God's plan of salvation, eternal life and judgment. The argument moves in three stages:
| v. 13 | The key to heavenly things, i.e. to those which are "above" is the one who came down from it. | |
| vv. 14-18 | Belief in the only begotten son of God is crucial. God sent Him into the world that all who would accept him will be saved from condemnation and have life. | |
| vv. 19-21 | An explanation of the above idea in terms of light and darkness. The prologue of John already states that the Word made flesh is the light that shines on every man that is born. Here, it is declared that those who walk by the light will have life and those who hate the light and choose the darkness are already condemned. The reason given is this: those who hate the light would not like their deeds of darkness to be exposed. |
For a more detailed discussion, read "John 3:1-21 Light and Darkness, Life and Condemnation"
For Discussion:
1. Reread John 3:14-21 and try to answer the following questions:
(a) How is Moses' serpent in the desert (cf. Numbers 21:4-9) related to Christ raised on the cross and raised up in glory?
(b) John 3:16 is a very familiar formula speaking about God's love. If we understand that it is further explained by verses 17-18, what does God loving "the world" mean? Is God shown here as the Judge of the world ready to condemn it in wrath?
2. Eternal life or condemnation can become present realities in my attitude to Jesus. "To believe" in Jesus is life; not to believe in him is condemnation, and by implication, death. But to believe in Jesus also means that one share in the proclamation and witness of the Church (the "We" in vv. 11-12). What is my attitude towards the community of faith? Am I the "I-and-Jesus" type of Christian? Do I think of my baptism as something private, something wholly mine like my underwear that I can treat that in any way that pleases me?
3. During the Easter vigil mass, we enter a darkened Church. Then the Paschal candle is lit and from that one light, we kindle our respective candles and share its light with others, until the once dark Church becomes filled with the light shining from a hundred candles. This ritual is repeated each time a baptism is made. After the baby has been christened, a candle is lit from the Paschal candle and given to the parents of the child with these words: "Receive the light of Christ... Let this light be kept burning brightly until the Lord comes." "To be born from above" is to be "of God" and therefore to be "children of the light". We live our lives under some kind of light . What does it mean to live in the light of Christ?
