John 3:21

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible

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

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
But anyone who follows the true way comes to the light. Then the light will show that whatever they have done was done through God.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
But he that doth truth commeth to the light that his dedes might be knowen how that they are wrought in God.

Hebrew Names Version
But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God."

International Standard Version
But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that all may seeso that it may be revealed">[fn] that his actions have been done in God."

New American Standard Bible
"But the one who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds will be revealed as having been performed in God."

New Century Version
But those who follow the true way come to the light, and it shows that the things they do were done through God."

Update Bible Version
But he that does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be made manifest, that they have been worked in God.

Webster's Bible Translation
But he that doeth truth, cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

English Standard Version
But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God."

World English Bible
But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done with God."

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But he that practiseth the truth, cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God.

Weymouth's New Testament
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.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But he that doith treuthe, cometh to the liyt, that hise werkis be schewid, that thei ben don in God.

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

Berean Standard Bible
But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God."

Contemporary English Version
But everyone who lives by the truth will come to the light, because they want others to know that God is really the one doing what they do.

Amplified Bible
"But whoever practices truth [and does what is right—morally, ethically, spiritually] comes to the Light, so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are—accomplished in God [divinely prompted, done with God's help, in dependence on Him]."

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

Bible in Basic English
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.

Complete Jewish Bible
But everyone who does what is true comes to the light, so that all may see that his actions are accomplished through God."

Darby Translation
but he that practises the truth comes to the light, that his works may be manifested that they have been wrought in God.

Etheridge Translation
But he who doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his works may be known that in Aloha they are wrought.

Murdock Translation
But he that doeth right, cometh to the light, that his works may be known to be done in God.

King James Version (1611)
But hee that doeth trueth, commeth to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

New Living Translation
But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants."

New Life Bible
The man who does what is right comes to the Light. What he does will be seen because he has done what God wanted him to do."

New Revised Standard
But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God."

Geneva Bible (1587)
But he that doeth trueth, commeth to the light, that his deedes might bee made manifest, that they are wrought according to God.

George Lamsa Translation
But he who does truthful things comes to the light, so that his works may be known, that they are done through God.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But he that doth truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest: because they are done in God.

Revised Standard Version
But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
But he that doeth trueth, cometh to the lyght, yt his deedes may be knowen, howe that they are wrought in God.

Good News Translation
But those who do what is true come to the light in order that the light may show that what they did was in obedience to God.

Christian Standard Bible®
But anyone who lives by

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

Lexham English Bible
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.

Literal Translation
But the one doing the truth comes to the Light, that his works may be revealed, that they exist, having been worked in God.

Young's Literal Translation
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.'

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But he that doth the trueth, commeth to the light, that his workes maye be knowne: for they are done in God.

Mace New Testament (1729)
but he that doth right, cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, because they are agreeable to the will of God.

New English Translation
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.

New King James Version
But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

Simplified Cowboy Version
But those who want to ride the right way are not afraid to come into the light."

New American Standard Bible (1995)
"But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."

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

Contextual Overview

¹ There was however, a man from among the Pharisees, Nicodemus, his name, - ruler of the Jews. ² The same, came unto him, by night, and said unto him - Rabbi! we know that, from God, thou hast come, a teacher; for, no one, can be doing, these signs, which, thou, art doing, except, God, be with him. ³ Jesus answered, and said unto him - Verily, verily, I say unto thee: Except one be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God. ⁴ Nicodemus saith unto him - How, can a man be born, when he is, old? Can he, into the womb of his mother, a second time, enter, and be born? ⁵ Jesus answered - Verily, verily, I say unto thee: Except one be born of water and spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ⁶ That which hath been born of the flesh, is, flesh, and, that which hath been born of the spirit, is, spirit. ⁷ Do not marvel, that I said unto thee: Ye must needs be born from above. ⁸ The spirit, where it pleaseth, doth breathe, and, the sound thereof, thou hearest; but knowest not, whence it cometh and whither it goeth: Thus, is every one who hath been born of the spirit. ⁹ Nicodemus answered, and said unto him - How, can these things, come about? ¹⁰ Jesus answered, and said unto him - Art, thou, the teacher of Israel, and, these things, knowest not?

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

he that: John 1:47, John 5:39, Psalms 1:1-3, Psalms 119:80, Psalms 119:105, Psalms 139:23, Psalms 139:24, Isaiah 8:20, Acts 17:11, Acts 17:12, 1 John 1:6

that his: John 15:4, John 15:5, Isaiah 26:12, Hosea 14:8, 1 Corinthians 15:10, 2 Corinthians 1:12, Galatians 5:22, Galatians 5:23, Galatians 6:8, Ephesians 5:9, Philippians 1:11, Philippians 2:13, Colossians 1:29, Hebrews 13:21, 1 Peter 1:22, 2 Peter 1:5-10, 1 John 2:27-29, 1 John 4:12, 1 John 4:13, 1 John 4:15, 1 John 4:16, Revelation 3:1, Revelation 3:2, Revelation 3:15

they are: 3 John 1:11

Reciprocal: Psalms 25:12 - him Psalms 31:19 - wrought Luke 5:17 - that there John 12:36 - believe Ephesians 2:10 - we are Ephesians 5:13 - for 2 Timothy 3:7 - learning

Cross-References

Genesis 3:2
And the woman said unto the serpent, - Of the fruit of the trees of the garden, we may eat;

Genesis 3:3
but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said Ye shall not eat of it neither shall ye touch it, - lest ye die.

Genesis 3:7
Then were opened the eyes of them both, and they knew that, naked, they were, - so they tacked together fig-leaves, and made for themselves girdles,

Isaiah 61:10
I will, greatly rejoice, in Yahweh, My soul shall exult in my God, For he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, With a robe of righteousness, hath he enwrapt me, - As a bridegroom, adorneth himself with, a chaplet, And as a bride, bedecketh herself with, her jewels.

Romans 3:22
A righteousness of God, through faith in JesusChrist, unto all that have faith; for there is no distinction, -

2 Corinthians 5:21
Him who knew not sin, in our behalf, he made to be, sin, that we might become God's righteousness in him.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But he that doth truth,.... That which is true, right and good: "he whose work is just", as the Ethiopic version renders it; or, "he that does that which is right", so the Persic; that which is according to the will of God, and from a principle of love to him, and with a view to his glory:

cometh to the light; to Christ, and to his word, and ordinances:

that his deeds may be made manifest; being brought to the light, to the test, and standard, whether they, are right, or wrong; and that it may appear,

that they are wrought in God; or "by God"; by his assistance, and gracious influence, without which men can do nothing; for it is God that works in them both to will and to do: or, "according to God", as others render it; according to the will of God, both for matter and manner: or "for God", as the Ethiopic version renders it; for the glory of God, which ought to be the aim, and end of every action. The Persic version reads the whole thus, "that the work which is between God and him may be known"; that such deeds may be discovered, which are only known to God and himself.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Are that doeth truth - He who does right, or he that obeys the truth. Truth here is opposed to error and to evil. The sinner acts from falsehood and error. The good man acts according to truth. The sinner believes a lie - that God will not punish, or that there is no God, or that there is no eternity and no hell. The Christian believes all these, and acts as if they were true. This is the difference between a Christian and a sinner.

Cometh to the light - Loves the truth, and seeks it more and more. By prayer and searching the Scriptures he endeavors to ascertain the truth, and yield his mind to it.

May be made manifest - May be made clear or plain; or that it may be made plain that his deeds are performed in God. He searches for truth and light that he may have evidence that his actions are right.

Wrought in God - That they are performed according to the will of God, or perhaps by the assistance of God, and are such as God will approve. The actions of good people are performed by the influence and aid of God, Philippians 2:12. Of course, if they are performed by his aid, they are such as he will approve. Here is presented the character of a good man and a sincere Christian. We learn respecting that character:

1. He does truth. He loves it, seeks it, follows it.
2. He comes to the light. He does not attempt to deceive himself or others.
3. He is willing to know himself, and aims to do it. He desires to know the true state of his heart before God.
4. A special object of his efforts is that his deeds may be “wrought in God.” He desires to be a good man; to receive continual aid from God, and to perform such actions as he will approve.

This is the close of our Lord’s discourse with Nicodemus - a discourse condensing the gospel, giving the most striking exhibition and illustration of truth, and representing especially the fundamental doctrine of regeneration and the evidence of the change. It is clear that the Saviour regarded this as lying at the foundation of religion. Without it we cannot possibly be saved. And now it becomes every reader, as in the presence of God, and in view of the judgment-seat of Christ, solemnly to ask himself whether he has experienced this change? whether he knows by experience what it is to be born of that Spirit? If he does he will be saved. If not, he is in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity, and should give no sleep to his eyes until he has made his peace with God.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse John 3:21. Wrought in God. — In his presence, and through his assistance. This is the end of our Lord's discourse to Nicodemus; and though we are not informed here of any good effects produced by it, yet we learn from other scriptures that it had produced the most blessed effects in his mind, and that from this time he became a disciple of Christ. He publicly defended our Lord in the Sanhedrin, of which he was probably a member, John 7:50, and, with Joseph of Arimathea, gave him an honourable funeral, John 19:39, when all his bosom friends had deserted him. See Dodd.