YHN 3:21 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) But anyone who does what is right, comes toward the light so that their actions can be revealed as being done with God’s help.”

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT But the one doing the truth comes to the light, so that his deeds might be revealed, that they have been worked in God.”

UST But the person who continually does true deeds comes to the one who is the light so that the light might show everyone what he does and so that everyone might know that God was helping him do these deeds.”

3:21 Some translators close this quotation after verse 15.

BLB but the one practicing the truth comes to the Light, that his works may be manifest as having been done in God."

AICNT [[But][fn] the one who does the truth comes to the light, in order that their deeds may be revealed, that they have been done in God.][fn] [[For in God is peace established.]][fn]

3:21, But: Absent from 𝔓66.

3:21, But the one...: Absent from ℵ(01).

3:21, For in God is peace established: Included in ℵ(01).

OEB but the person who lives by the truth comes into the light, so it can be clearly seen that God is in all they do.

LSB But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been done by God.”

WEBBE But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.”

WMBB (Same as above)

NET But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, so that it may be plainly evident that his deeds have been done in God.

LSV but he who is doing the truth comes into the light, that his works may be revealed, that in God they are having been worked.”

FBV But those who do good[fn] come into the light, so that what God accomplishes in them can be revealed.”

3:21 Literally, “doing the truth.”

TCNT But whoever lives by the truth comes to the light, so that it may be evident that his works have been done in obedience to God.”

T4T But those who live according to God’s truth come to the one who is like a light, in order that it may be seen clearly {that people may see clearly} that the things they have done, they did them because they have depended on God.

LEB But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, in order that his deeds may be revealed, that they are done in God.

BBE But he whose life is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his acts have been done by the help of God.

Moff whereas anyone whose life is true comes out into the light, to make it plain that his actions have been divinely prompted.

Wymth But he who does what is honest and right comes to the light, in order that his actions may be plainly shown to have been done in God.

ASV But he that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, that they have been wrought in God.

DRA But he that doth truth, cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, because they are done in God.

YLT but he who is doing the truth doth come to the light, that his works may be manifested, that in God they are having been wrought.'

Drby but he that practises the truth comes to the light, that his works may be manifested that they have been wrought in [fn]God.

3.21 Elohim

RV But he that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, that they have been wrought in God.
(But he that doth/does the truth cometh/comes to the light, that his works may be made manifest, that they have been wrought/done in God. )

SLT But he doing the truth comes to the light, that his works might be manifested, that they are wrought in God.

Wbstr But he that doeth truth, cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

KJB-1769 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
( But he that doth/does truth cometh/comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought/done in God. )

KJB-1611 But hee that doeth trueth, commeth to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps But he that doeth trueth, cometh to the lyght, yt his deedes may be knowen, howe that they are wrought in God.
(But he that doth/does truth, cometh/comes to the light, it his deeds may be known, how that they are wrought/done in God.)

Gnva But he that doeth trueth, commeth to the light, that his deedes might bee made manifest, that they are wrought according to God.
(But he that doth/does truth, cometh/comes to the light, that his deeds might be made manifest, that they are wrought/done according to God. )

Cvdl But he that doth the trueth, commeth to the light, that his workes maye be knowne: for they are done in God.
(But he that doth/does the truth, cometh/comes to the light, that his works may be known: for they are done in God.)

TNT But he that doth truth commeth to the light that his dedes might be knowen how that they are wrought in God.
(But he that doth/does truth cometh/comes to the light that his deeds might be known how that they are wrought/done in God. )

Wycl But he that doith treuthe, cometh to the liyt, that hise werkis be schewid, that thei ben don in God.
(But he that doth/does truth, cometh/comes to the light, that his works be showed, that they been done in God.)

Luth Wer aber die Wahrheit tut, der kommt an das Licht, daß seine Werke offenbar werden; denn sie sind in GOtt getan.
(Who but the truth does, the/of_the comes at/to the light(n), that his work apparently become; because/than they/she/them are in God did.)

ClVg qui autem facit veritatem, venit ad lucem, ut manifestentur opera ejus, quia in Deo sunt facta.[fn]
(who/which however he_does the_truth, he_came to the_light, as clearly/obviouslyntur works his, because in/into/on to_God are facts. )

3.21 Qui autem facit. Ostenso qua justitia damnetur qui non credit, ostendit qua justitia salvetur qui credit. Qui autem facit. Id est, cui displicent mala sua et accusat, non sibi ignoscit, non sibi parcit, sed venit ad lucem. Et incipit agere cum Deo qui mala accusat, quia initium boni est accusatio mali, ergo opera ejus, hæc scilicet, quod se accusat sicut Deus accusat, manifestat, quia in Deo sunt facta, nisi enim Dei lux sibi luceret, sibi non displiceret.

3.21 Who however he_does. Ostenso which justice damnetur who/which not/no he_believes, he_showed which justice savesur who/which he_believes. Who however he_does. That it_is, to_whom displicent evil his_own and accusat, not/no to_himself ignoscit, not/no to_himself parcit, but he_came to the_light. And begins to_act when/with to_God who/which evil accusat, because the_beginning good it_is accusatio evil, therefore works his, these_things namely, that himself accusat like God accusat, obvioust, because in/into/on to_God are facts, except because of_God light to_himself lightret, to_himself not/no displiceret.

UGNT ὁ δὲ ποιῶν τὴν ἀλήθειαν, ἔρχεται πρὸς τὸ φῶς, ἵνα φανερωθῇ αὐτοῦ τὰ ἔργα, ὅτι ἐν Θεῷ ἐστιν εἰργασμένα.
(ho de poiōn taʸn alaʸtheian, erⱪetai pros to fōs, hina fanerōthaʸ autou ta erga, hoti en Theōi estin eirgasmena.)

SBL-GNT ὁ δὲ ποιῶν τὴν ἀλήθειαν ἔρχεται πρὸς τὸ φῶς, ἵνα φανερωθῇ αὐτοῦ τὰ ἔργα ὅτι ἐν θεῷ ἐστιν εἰργασμένα.
(ho de poiōn taʸn alaʸtheian erⱪetai pros to fōs, hina fanerōthaʸ autou ta erga hoti en theōi estin eirgasmena.)

RP-GNT Ὁ δὲ ποιῶν τὴν ἀλήθειαν ἔρχεται πρὸς τὸ φῶς, ἵνα φανερωθῇ αὐτοῦ τὰ ἔργα, ὅτι ἐν θεῷ ἐστιν εἰργασμένα.
(Ho de poiōn taʸn alaʸtheian erⱪetai pros to fōs, hina fanerōthaʸ autou ta erga, hoti en theōi estin eirgasmena.)

TC-GNT Ὁ δὲ ποιῶν τὴν ἀλήθειαν ἔρχεται πρὸς τὸ φῶς, ἵνα φανερωθῇ αὐτοῦ τὰ ἔργα, ὅτι ἐν Θεῷ ἐστιν εἰργασμένα.
(Ho de poiōn taʸn alaʸtheian erⱪetai pros to fōs, hina fanerōthaʸ autou ta erga, hoti en Theōi estin eirgasmena. )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN 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.

3:21a

But whoever practices the truth

However, those who do what is right
But the people who follow God’s true way

But: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as But here introduces the opposite situation to that of 3:19–20. It tells of those who love the light.

whoever practices the truth: The phrase the truth here refers to a good or moral way of life. A person who practices the truth is one who lives in a way that is faithful to God. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

those who follow the true way (NCV)

those who do what is right (NLT)

3:21b

comes into the Light,

come into/toward the light.
come to the one who is the light.

comes into the Light: Again Light is a metaphor for Jesus, the Son of God, who shows us who God is. As in 3:20b, to comes into the Light is to come to Jesus and listen with faith to his words. Translate it here as you did in 3:20b.

3:21c

so that it may be seen clearly

They do that so that others will clearly see
Then everyone will/can know

so that it may be seen clearly: The verb phrase it may be seen is in the passive. It means “people/others may see it.” Faithful people are not afraid that others will see their lives and actions. There are at least two ways to translate this expression:

Use a passive verb. For example:
so that it may be seen plainly (NIV)
Use an active verb. For example:
because they want others to know that (CEV)
so others can see that (NLT)
so that it may be clearly apparent

Translate this clause using the verb form that is most natural in your language.

3:21d

that what he has done has been accomplished in God.”

that it is God who enabled them to do those things.”
that they have been living/working in this good/true way because God is in all that they do.”

what he has done has been accomplished in God: This clause indicates that these faithful people have acted in union with God or associated with him. In Greek the words done and accomplished come from the same root. In some languages repeating things like that may not be natural. It may be better to say:

it was all done in/through God

the power/strength of God was the source of what they did

The verb has been accomplished is passive. Here are ways to translate this verb:

Use a passive verb. For example:
his works have been done through God
Use an active verb. For example:
God is in all they do. (REB)
God is really the one doing what they do (CEV)
they did all they did in union with God
God has helped them to act in this good/true way

in God: There are at least three different interpretations about what this phrase means:

It means that these things were done in God’s strength. For example:
God is really the one doing what they do (CEV) (CEV, NCV, REB, NIV84)
It means that these things were done in order to obey God. For example:
what they did was in obedience to God (GNT) (GNT, NLT, GW)
It means that these things were done in God’s presence. For example:
what they have done has been done in the sight of God (NIV) (NIV11)

Many English translations, like BSB, just say that these deeds have been done in God. That phrase is ambiguous and can be understood in any of the above ways. In some languages it may be possible to use an expression like that. If that is true in your language, it is good to use that term. If you must choose one of the interpretations, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This agrees with John’s thought in 15:5, for example. And many commentaries support this interpretation.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

ὁ & ποιῶν τὴν ἀλήθειαν

the_‹one› & practicing (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὁ Δέ ποιῶν τήν ἀλήθειαν ἔρχεται πρός τό φῶς ἵνα φανερωθῇ αὐτοῦ τά ἔργα ὅτι ἐν Θεῷ ἐστίν εἰργασμένα)

This phrase refers to someone who habitually does true things. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [everyone who habitually does the truth]

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ὁ & ποιῶν τὴν ἀλήθειαν

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of truth, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [the one who does true things] or [the one who does what is true]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἔρχεται πρὸς τὸ φῶς

˓is˒_coming (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὁ Δέ ποιῶν τήν ἀλήθειαν ἔρχεται πρός τό φῶς ἵνα φανερωθῇ αὐτοῦ τά ἔργα ὅτι ἐν Θεῷ ἐστίν εἰργασμένα)

See how you translated the light in the previous two verses. Alternate translation: [comes to Jesus, who revealed the true and good things of God]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / 123person

ἔρχεται πρὸς 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. See how you translated this expression in the previous two verses.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

φανερωθῇ αὐτοῦ τὰ ἔργα

˓may_be˒_revealed ˱of˲_him (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὁ Δέ ποιῶν τήν ἀλήθειαν ἔρχεται πρός τό φῶς ἵνα φανερωθῇ αὐτοῦ τά ἔργα ὅτι ἐν Θεῷ ἐστίν εἰργασμένα)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [the light might reveal his deeds]

ὅτι ἐν Θεῷ ἐστιν εἰργασμένα

that in God (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὁ Δέ ποιῶν τήν ἀλήθειαν ἔρχεται πρός τό φῶς ἵνα φανερωθῇ αὐτοῦ τά ἔργα ὅτι ἐν Θεῷ ἐστίν εἰργασμένα)