While reading through the gospel of John I stopped at chapter 3 verse 19-21 and three words stood out: Light, Darkness and Evil. What I found interesting is that the word evil in verse 19 is not the same word evil in verse 20 and the same goes for light and darkness. What has concerned me is how many translators fail to identify that these words based on context usage have various meanings, and simply saying evil or light as if the meaning is the same everywhere is incorrect?
I noticed this in the previous chapter where the word choice seems to take on the same meaning everywhere, and in context with the previous verses the lead in from chapter two into chapter three brings with it ambiguity in meaning.
So I decided to dig in and see what the differences are. I will be using the Legacy Standard Bible (LSB) for the verses examined. I am also using Strongs Concordance for the Greek words for this short study. I will not use the full Strongs word meaning, just a shortened word meaning specific to the chosen verses. I will also place some otters translations where there is an attempt by the translators to use the proper meaning.
John 3:19-21 (LSB)
19 And this is the judgment, that the Light (Strongs 5457) has come into the world, and men loved the darkness (Strongs 5655) rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil (Strongs 4190). 20 For everyone who does evil (Strongs 5337) hates the Light (Strongs 5457), and does not come to the Light (Strongs 5457) lest his deeds be exposed. 21 But he who practices the truth comes to the Light (Strongs 5457), so that his deeds may be manifested as having been done by God.”
Word Light Strongs 5457 A, B, C based on context.
(John 3:19 A) to shine, or make manifest.
(John 3:20 B) Hates the light (My words: rejected Jesus).
(John 3:21 C) to the light: meaning openly, publicly, opposite of “in the darkness.”3:19 Word Evil Strongs 4190: labor, sorrow, pain. Evil in a moral or spiritual sense, wicked, malicious, mischievous.
3:20 Word Evil Strongs 5337: used of evil deeds.
3:19; 21 Word darkness Strongs 4655: Darkness: Spiritual darkness, implying ignorance or error.
At this point I am trying to see just how the definitions fit the context of the gospel of John. I searched many different translations to see if I could find one that puts these verses into proper context illustrating the usage of the selected words as they would have been understood by the people during the time of Jesus and the Apostles. Here are a few translations that I believe closely matches what the people then would have understood the writers meant.
The Aramaic Peshitta
19 Now this is the judgment, because the light has come to the world and men loved darkness more than the light, for their works are evil. 20 For everyone who does hateful things hates the light and does not come to the light, so that his works will not be reproved. 21 But he who does truthful things comes to the light, so that his works may be known that they are done in God.
Lexham English Bible Translation
19 And this is the judgment: that the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who practices evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds be exposed. 21 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.
The Revised Standard Version Translation
19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 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.
NIV Bible Translation
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
Amplified Bible Translation
19 The [basis of the] judgment (indictment, the test by which men are judged, the ground for the sentence) lies in this: the Light has come into the world, and people have loved the darkness rather than and more than the Light, for their works (deeds) were evil. [Isa. 5:20.] 20 For every wrongdoer hates (loathes, detests) the Light, and will not come out into the Light but shrinks from it, lest his works (his deeds, his activities, his conduct) be exposed and reproved. 21 But he who practices truth [who does what is right] comes out into the Light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are—wrought with God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence upon Him].
Point is, for readers of the Bible it is necessary for the text to be clear and as precise as possible. John chapter three is an important chapter because it reveals the difference between those born from above and those not born from above. There are many commentaries on John, on these verse in particular, and I do not believe a lot of explanation is necessary when the text is clear and precise.
Pray for wisdom and knowledge so you are not lacking in knowing God and His will for you. We are all members of the body of Christ and we cannot be ill prepared to fulfill our part.
May God bless you and help you in knowing His word that He left for you to learn about Him.
Michael
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