John 3:15

"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,"

Key Reflection

In the first-century Jewish context, this verse draws a striking parallel between Moses lifting up the bronze serpent in the wilderness and Jesus being lifted up on the cross. For the Israelites, looking at the serpent was necessary to receive healing from snakebites; similarly, believing in Jesus crucified would lead to eternal life. This imagery underscores the necessity of faith and points forward to the salvific action of Christ on the cross.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 15. That whosoever. This shows the fulness and freeness of the gospel. All may come and be saved. Believeth in him. Whosoever puts confidence in him as able and willing to save. All who feel that they are sinners, that they have no righteousness of their own, and are willing to look to him as their only Saviour. Should not perish. They are in danger, by nature, of perishing--that is, of sinking down to the pains of hell; of "being punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power," 2 Th 1:9. All who believe on Jesus shall be saved from this condemnation and be raised up to eternal life. And from this we learn, 1st.

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