That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

JOHN 3:15KJV
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John 3:15 (KJV)

What does John 3:15 mean?

John 3:15 says that anyone who believes in Jesus will not be destroyed but will have eternal life. The verse promises lasting life to all who trust in him, making belief in Jesus the key to escaping spiritual ruin.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader, during a nighttime conversation. Jesus explains that just as people looked to a bronze serpent for healing in Moses’ time, now people must look to him in faith for life that lasts forever. The verse sets up the famous statement in John 3:16 and highlights the importance of faith in Jesus for salvation.

The Greek behind John 3:15

  • πιστεύω (pisteuō, "believeth"): This Greek word means to trust or have faith in someone. Here, it is not just intellectual agreement but a personal trust in Jesus.
  • αἰώνιος (aiōnios, "eternal"): This word describes something that is not just endless in time but also of a different, divine quality. It points to a kind of life that comes from God, not just life that goes on forever.
  • ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi, "perish"): This word means to be lost or destroyed. The verse contrasts perishing with having eternal life, showing the seriousness of the choice.

Why John 3:15 matters

  • John 3:15 makes clear that eternal life is available to everyone, not just a select group, as long as they believe in Jesus.
  • The verse connects Jesus’ mission to Old Testament events, helping readers see the continuity in God’s plan.
  • It sets up the famous message of John 3:16, showing that the offer of eternal life is central to Jesus’ teaching.

Where else these words appear

“eternal” Greek G166 · used in 69 verses

  • Matthew 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
  • John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
  • 1 Timothy 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

“should” Greek G622 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Luke 5:37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
  • John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

“That” Greek G3363 · used in 95 verses

  • Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
  • John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
  • Philippians 2:27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

“life” Greek G2222 · used in 126 verses

  • Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
  • John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
  • Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.