Lenten Season · Fourth Sunday of Lent · Year B
John 3:14-21
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
March 7, 2027
Overview & Insights
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Nicodemus is introduced as a particular example of the “believers” mentioned in 2:23–25. As a “ member of the Jewish ruling council ” and “ Israel’s teacher ” (vv. 1, 10), he is perhaps not wholly typical of the group, though later indications are that leaders of the people were indeed conspicuous among these so-called believers (12:42). It is probably out of fear that Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night. Speaking perhaps for the larger group, he makes a confession that puts the narrator’s summary (2:23) into his own words: Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him (v. 2).
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Commentary
Commentary on John 3:14-21 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary exegesis of the Nicodemus discourse and the Son of Man lifted up (RCL Year B match).
John 3:14-21 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed commentary connecting the bronze serpent of Numbers 21 to the cross.
Enduring Word Commentary: John 3 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse notes on new birth, the serpent, and John 3:16.
John 3:14 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregated classic commentaries on the Son of Man being lifted up like the serpent.
The Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year B Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre
Brant Pitre's Mass Readings Explained walks the Gospel and the Sunday readings in their Jewish context.
John 3 - Word on Fire Word on Fire · Bishop Barron
Bishop Barron's ministry gathers homilies and reflections on the Son of Man lifted up.
Fourth Sunday of Lent, Cycle B - Sunday Connection Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
Catholic Laetare Sunday resource with reflection questions and prayer for the readings.
Background & Word Study
John - Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary book introduction covering authorship, structure, and the theology of belief in John.
Gospel of John Overview (Part 1) BibleProject
Animated overview of John 1 to 12, which frames the Nicodemus conversation.
John 3:14 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek word-by-word interlinear with parsing and Strong's numbers for the passage.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Questions preachers ask
Why is this read on Holy Cross Day?
Jesus tells Nicodemus that “as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up” (John 3:14). The bronze serpent of Numbers 21 becomes a sign of the cross: all who look in faith to the crucified and risen Christ are healed and given eternal life. The reading holds John 3:16, the gospel in miniature.
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