Lent · Year B
Fourth Sunday in Lent
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
Enduring Word Bible Commentary John Chapter 3 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik works through the Nicodemus dialogue, the lifted-up Son of Man, and God's love for the world.
Commentary on John 3:14-21 Working Preacher
The exact RCL Lent 4B Gospel, linking the bronze serpent of Numbers 21 to the cross.
John 3:14-21 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary on judgment turned to salvation and light versus darkness.
John 3 Commentary Precept Austin
A deep evangelical study collating sources on the new birth and being lifted up with word notes.
John 3:14 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic public-domain commentaries gathered verse by verse for the passage.
Fourth Sunday of Lent, Cycle B, Sunday Connection Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
Catholic family and catechetical helps drawing worship reflection out of the Gospel.
Background & Word Study
John | Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the authorship, structure, and themes of the Fourth Gospel.
Book of John Overview BibleProject
An animated walk through John's design, framing the Nicodemus dialogue in the whole-book flow.
John 3:14 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek text word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for close reading of the passage.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Worship & Prayers
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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