John 3
John 3 records Jesus' night conversation with Nicodemus about being 'born again,' and contains the most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16 — God's love for the world in giving his Son.
The Book of John · New Testament · chapter 3 of 21.
Where this chapter sits
A leading Pharisee and member of the ruling council approaches under cover of darkness, a detail often read as caution rather than simple scheduling. Coming after the temple disturbance and a wedding sign in the previous chapter, the exchange puzzles Nicodemus with talk of a second birth, then widens into the chapter's best-known statement about divine love. It closes by returning to John the Baptist, still active nearby, insisting that his role must now diminish.
Key verses (KJV)
“Ye must be born again.” — John 3:7 (KJV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.” — John 3:16 (KJV)
What to notice as you read
Listen for the wordplay the conversation turns on, a Greek term that can mean both 'again' and 'from above,' which is exactly what trips up Nicodemus's literal question about re-entering the womb. The dialogue shifts from dialogue to monologue partway through, its exact ending point long debated by translators.
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Frequently asked questions
Where does John 3 come in John?
It is chapter 3 of 21 in John, a book of Gospel in the New Testament. The other widely-read chapters of John are linked further down this page.
Where can I read John 3?
Read the full text of John 3 — and the whole Bible, offline, in your preferred translation — free in the Quiethaven app for iPhone.