John 3:21 Meaning and Explanation
“But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Whoever does truth comes to the light, so that his deeds may be shown to have been wrought in God.
What Does John 3:21 Mean?
The contrast completes itself. Opposite the evildoer who shuns the light stands the one who doeth truth — a striking phrase, for truth here is not only believed but practiced, lived, done. Such a person moves toward the light gladly, having nothing to hide.
Notice the humility of the closing words: his deeds are wrought in God — begun, carried, and completed by a strength not his own. Coming to the light is therefore no parade of self-made goodness; it is the open life of one who works in God's company and is content to be seen doing so. Nicodemus, who came by night, is being gently summoned toward the day — and by this Gospel's end, he steps into it (John 19:39).
John 3:21 in the Original Language
aletheia (ἀλήθεια), 'truth' -- what is real and genuine; in Scripture truth is done as well as believed.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 3:21
What does John 3:21 mean?
Whoever does truth comes to the light, so that his deeds may be shown to have been wrought in God.