YHN 3:19 Interlinear View

1. Greek word
2. Greek lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. αὕτη
2. houtos
3. this
4. -
5. 37780
6. R····NFS
7. this
8. this
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64239; R64244
11. 64231
1. Δέ
2. de
3. And
4. but
5. 11610
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. S
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64232
1. ἐστίν
2. eimi
3. is
4. -
5. 15100
6. VIPA3··S
7. is
8. is
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64233
1. ἡ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NFS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64234
1. κρίσις
2. krisis
3. judgement
4. -
5. 29200
6. N····NFS
7. judgement
8. judgment
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64235
1. ὅτι
2. hoti
3. that
4. -
5. 37540
6. C·······
7. that
8. that
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64236
1. τό
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NNS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64237
1. φῶς
2. fōs
3. light
4. -
5. 54570
6. N····NNS
7. light
8. light
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64238
1. ἐλήλυθεν
2. erχomai
3. has come
4. -
5. 20640
6. VIEA3··S
7. ˓has˒ come
8. ˓has˒ come
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; F64231
11. 64239
1. εἰς
2. eis
3. into
4. -
5. 15190
6. P·······
7. into
8. into
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64240
1. τόν
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····AMS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64241
1. κόσμον
2. kosmos
3. world
4. world
5. 28890
6. N····AMS
7. world
8. world
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64242
1. καί
2. kai
3. and
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64243
1. ἠγάπησαν
2. agapaō
3. loved
4. -
5. 250
6. VIAA3··P
7. loved
8. loved
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; F64231
11. 64244
1. μᾶλλον
2. mallon
3. -
4. -
5. 31230
6. D·······
7. rather
8. rather
9. -
10. -
11. 64245
1. οἱ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NMP
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64246
1. ἄνθρωποι
2. anthrōpos
3. people
4. people
5. 4440
6. N····NMP
7. people
8. people
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; F64259
11. 64247
1. ἠγάπησαν
2. agapaō
3. -
4. -
5. 250
6. VIAA3··P
7. loved
8. loved
9. -
10. -
11. 64248
1. μᾶλλον
2. mallon
3. rather
4. -
5. 31230
6. D·······
7. rather
8. rather
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64249
1. τό
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····ANS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64250
1. σκότος
2. skotos
3. darkness
4. darkness
5. 46550
6. N····ANS
7. darkness
8. darkness
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64251
1. μᾶλλον
2. mallon
3. -
4. -
5. 31230
6. D·······
7. rather
8. rather
9. -
10. -
11. 64252
1. ἤ
2. ē
3. than
4. -
5. 22280
6. C·······
7. than
8. than
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64253
1. τό
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····ANS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64254
1. φῶς
2. fōs
3. light
4. -
5. 54570
6. N····ANS
7. light
8. light
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64255
1. ἦν
2. eimi
3. was
4. -
5. 15100
6. VIIA3··S
7. was
8. was
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64256
1. γάρ
2. gar
3. because/for
4. because
5. 10630
6. C·······
7. for
8. for
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64257
1. πονηρά
2. ponēros
3. -
4. -
5. 41900
6. S····NNP
7. evil
8. evil
9. -
10. -
11. 64258
1. αὐτῶν
2. autos
3. of them
4. -
5. 8460
6. R···3GMP
7. ˱of˲ them
8. ˱of˲ them
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64247
11. 64259
1. πονηρά
2. ponēros
3. evil
4. -
5. 41900
6. S····NNP
7. evil
8. evil
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64260
1. τά
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NNP
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64261
1. ἔργα
2. ergon
3. works
4. -
5. 20410
6. N····NNP
7. works
8. works
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64262

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:1–21: A Pharisee named Nicodemus questioned Jesus

This section tells about how a Pharisee called Nicodemus went to visit Jesus. Jesus told Nicodemus that all people need God to change them. Nicodemus could be sure that Jesus was speaking the truth because Jesus came from God.

Here are some other possible section headings:

Jesus told a Pharisee that he needed to change

Everyone must be born again

All people need God to give them a new birth/life

Paragraph 3:19–21

Jesus used the metaphors of light and darkness to describe the basis for God’s judgment. The basis is whether we love the darkness or love the light.

Jesus is represented as light. Light usually refers to that which is good. That is why those who love the darkness do evil deeds and hate the light. Those who love the darkness do not want their sins to be known. They also do not want to accept Jesus or allow him to shine truth in their lives. However, those who follow the truth come to Jesus. Jesus will then reveal that they did their good deeds only because of God.

3:19a

And this is the verdict:

¶ “The judgment is based on this:
¶ “This is why God judges people:

And: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as And here introduces an explanation. Jesus explains the basis of the judgment that he talked about in 3:17–18. Some English translations, such as the NIV and GNT, do not explicitly translate it. The NET translates it as “Now” because that is a common way to introduce an explanation in English. It is not a time word in this context. You should introduce Jesus’ explanation in a way that is natural in your language.

this is the verdict: The Greek clause that the BSB translates as this is the verdict refers forward to 3:19b–d. It indicates that what follows is the ground or basis of God’s judgment on people. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

this is the basis for judging (NET)

the judgment is based on this fact (NLT)

This is how the judgment works (GNT)

verdict: The word verdict refers to a judge deciding whether someone is guilty or innocent. In this case the judge is God himself. In some languages the noun verdict needs to be translated as a verb phrase. For example:

God is judging/declaring people guilty because…

This is why people are condemned: (GW)

They are judged by this fact: (NCV)

3:19b

The Light has come into the world,

The light has come to the people of the world,
The one who is light has come into the world to reveal truth.

The Light has come into the world: The word Light here is a metaphor and refers to Jesus, the Son of God. Jesus was speaking, but he did not directly say that he was the light. So try to keep the reference to the light indirect, in the third person. Jesus was like a light because he was good. He also revealed the truth about things, both the good and the evil. If this metaphor is not understood in your language, you may need to follow one of these translation suggestions:

Make explicit or explain the meaning of the metaphor. For example:
Light has come into the world through the one who reveals/shows the truth about everything.
Change the metaphor to a simile and make it explicit that it refers to the Son of God. For example:
The Son of God is like a light coming into the world.

See how you translated the metaphor Light in 1:4b.

3:19c

but men loved the darkness rather than the Light

but people/they desired darkness and not light,
And yet people wanted to stay/live in the dark and did not want to turn/come to him who is the light,
But people have chosen the darkness instead of the light,

but: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as but here introduces something that is not expected. Instead of loving the light, which we might expect, people loved the darkness. So here is the basis for God’s judgment: although the light came into the world, they did not love the light. In some languages it may be natural to make it clearer that what is said next is not expected.

men loved the darkness: The Greek word that the BSB translates as men here means “people in general.” However, it does not mean all people without exception, because some people did trust Jesus. In some languages it is therefore more natural to say:

They wanted darkness (NCV)

many people loved darkness

loved the darkness: This is a metaphor. It compares people who deliberately refuse to believe in Jesus to people who love darkness.

Darkness hides people who are doing evil. In the same way, people hoped that by staying far from Jesus (the light), they could hide their sin. They wanted to continue sinning. They also wanted to avoid God. So they did not come to hear and believe Jesus.

If this metaphor is not understood in your language, here are some other ways to translate it:

Explain the meaning of the metaphor. For example:
loved the darkness of their sin
Change the metaphor to a simile and make the meaning explicit. For example:
loved their sins, which was like loving darkness
State the meaning directly. For example:
loved sin

the darkness: See how you translated the term darkness in 1:5a, and see the note there.

rather than the Light: There is an interpretation issue here. There are two ways to understand the Greek word that the BSB translates as rather:

It means “rather” or “instead.” For example:
people loved darkness instead of light (NIV) (BSB, NIV, NET, KJV, GNT, RSV, NRSV, NASB, ESV, GW, NCV)
It means “more than.” For example:
they love the dark more than the light (CEV) (NLT, CEV)

NJB and REB could be understood either way. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and most English translations and Bible scholars. People loved and chose darkness instead of light.

Here again Light is a metaphor referring to Jesus. He is like a light in that he is good and reveals the truth about things to people. But people did not love him. Refer to your translation of 3:19b and the note there.

3:19d

because their deeds were evil.

because their actions were evil.
because they were/are doing evil/wrong things.

because their deeds were evil: This is the reason why people loved darkness more than light. In some languages it is more natural to translate the noun deeds with a verb. For example:

because they were doing evil things (NCV)

General Comment on 3:19a–c

In some languages it may be more natural to reorder this verse. For example:

^19bThe light has come into the world, ^{19a, d}and God judges the people who do evil things as guilty because ^19cthey love the dark rather than the light.

^19bHe arrived among the people of the world bringing light from God. ^19cBut people wanted darkness and not light, ^19dbecause their actions were evil. ^19aThat is why God judges/punishes them.

uW Translation Notes:

ἡ κρίσις

the judgment

Here, judgment could refer to: (1) a verdict a judge pronounces in a court trial. Alternate translation: [the verdict] (2) the reason for a condemning judgment. Alternate translation: [the basis for condemnation]

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τὸ φῶς ἐλήλυθεν εἰς τὸν κόσμον & ἢ τὸ φῶς

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: αὕτη Δέ ἐστίν ἡ κρίσις ὅτι τό φῶς ἐλήλυθεν εἰς τόν κόσμον καί ἠγάπησαν οἱ ἄνθρωποι μᾶλλον τό σκότος ἤ τό φῶς ἦν γάρ αὐτῶν πονηρά τά ἔργα)

Jesus uses light to refer to the revelation of God’s truth and goodness in Jesus. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this plainly. See how you translated this term in those places where the light also refers to Jesus in the [1:7–9](../01/07.md). Alternate translation: [Jesus, who revealed the true and good things of God, has come into the world … than Jesus]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / 123person

τὸ φῶς ἐλήλυθεν εἰς τὸν κόσμον & ἢ τὸ φῶς

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. If your language does not allow people to speak of themselves in the third person, you may need to specify who the light is. Alternate translation: [I, the light, have come into the world … than me]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

οἱ ἄνθρωποι

¬the people

Although the term men is masculine, Jesus uses the word here in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Alternate translation: [people]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἠγάπησαν οἱ ἄνθρωποι & τὸ σκότος

loved ¬the people & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: αὕτη Δέ ἐστίν ἡ κρίσις ὅτι τό φῶς ἐλήλυθεν εἰς τόν κόσμον καί ἠγάπησαν οἱ ἄνθρωποι μᾶλλον τό σκότος ἤ τό φῶς ἦν γάρ αὐτῶν πονηρά τά ἔργα)

Jesus uses darkness to refer to what is false and evil. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. See the discussion of light and darkness in the General Notes for Chapter 1. Alternate translation: [men loved evil]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

1. OET-LV words
2. OET-RV words
3. Strongs
4. Greek word
5. Greek lemma
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. And
2. but
3. 11610
4. S
5. de
6. C-·······
7. and
8. and
9. S
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64232
1. this
2. -
3. 37780
5. houtos
6. R-····NFS
7. this
8. this
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64239; R64244
11. 64231
1. is
2. -
3. 15100
5. eimi
6. V-IPA3··S
7. is
8. is
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64233
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····NFS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64234
1. judgement
2. -
3. 29200
5. krisis
6. N-····NFS
7. judgement
8. judgment
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64235
1. that
2. -
3. 37540
5. hoti
6. C-·······
7. that
8. that
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64236
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····NNS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64237
1. light
2. -
3. 54570
5. fōs
6. N-····NNS
7. light
8. light
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64238
1. has come
2. -
3. 20640
5. erχomai
6. V-IEA3··S
7. ˓has˒ come
8. ˓has˒ come
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; F64231
11. 64239
1. into
2. -
3. 15190
5. eis
6. P-·······
7. into
8. into
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64240
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····AMS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64241
1. world
2. world
3. 28890
5. kosmos
6. N-····AMS
7. world
8. world
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64242
1. and
2. -
3. 25320
5. kai
6. C-·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64243
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····NMP
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64246
1. people
2. people
3. 4440
5. anthrōpos
6. N-····NMP
7. people
8. people
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; F64259
11. 64247
1. loved
2. -
3. 250
5. agapaō
6. V-IAA3··P
7. loved
8. loved
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; F64231
11. 64244
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····ANS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64250
1. darkness
2. darkness
3. 46550
5. skotos
6. N-····ANS
7. darkness
8. darkness
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64251
1. rather
2. -
3. 31230
5. mallon
6. D-·······
7. rather
8. rather
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64249
1. than
2. -
3. 22280
5. ē
6. C-·······
7. than
8. than
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64253
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····ANS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64254
1. light
2. -
3. 54570
5. fōs
6. N-····ANS
7. light
8. light
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64255
1. because/for
2. because
3. 10630
5. gar
6. C-·······
7. for
8. for
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64257
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····NNP
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64261
1. works
2. -
3. 20410
5. ergon
6. N-····NNP
7. works
8. works
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64262
1. of them
2. -
3. 8460
5. autos
6. R-···3GMP
7. ˱of˲ them
8. ˱of˲ them
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64247
11. 64259
1. was
2. -
3. 15100
5. eimi
6. V-IIA3··S
7. was
8. was
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64256
1. evil
2. -
3. 41900
5. ponēros
6. S-····NNP
7. evil
8. evil
9. -
10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
11. 64260

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear YHN (JHN) 3:19

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)