The verse highlights that "doing evil" isn't just about outright wickedness, but can also refer to a life that's "worthless" or "trivial." People avoid the light not just because of dark deeds, but because the light would expose the emptiness and aimlessness of their chosen pursuits. This avoidance stems from a deep-seated desire to escape the shame or conviction that true light would bring to their hollow existence.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just explained that his coming to earth is a judgment, not a condemnation. People choose darkness over light when their actions are wicked, not because God forces them to, but because the light exposes their deeds and the emptiness of their lives. This aversion to being seen for who they truly are is the core reason they reject divine truth.
When Jesus talks about 'doing evil,' is he talking about one bad choice or a lifestyle? The Greek words here offer a clue.
In John 3:20, Jesus uses a specific Greek word (prassōn) for 'does evil.' This word often points to a habitual practice or a lifestyle, not just isolated incidents. It's about someone who is actively pursuing and practicing wrong.
Contrast this with the other word for 'doing' used later in this passage (poiōn), which can refer to a more general act or realization of something.
This distinction highlights that the aversion to God's light isn't just about occasional stumbles, but about a settled pattern of behavior that shuns exposure.
What kind of 'evil' causes people to hate the light? It might not be what you first assume.
The word translated as 'evil' in John 3:20 (phaula) carries a specific nuance. It doesn't just mean 'wicked' in a grand, destructive sense. Instead, it often refers to things that are trivial, worthless, or morally bankrupt.
Think of actions that are aimless, unproductive, or simply 'good-for-nothing.' This type of 'evil' is what the person actively pursues.
The light of truth reveals the emptiness and worthlessness of such pursuits, and because people prefer to remain in their triviality or delusion, they reject the light that would expose it.
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Why do people hate the light? It's not just about being caught, but about the deeper meaning of 'reproved.'
The core reason someone 'neither comes to the light' is 'lest his deeds should be reproved' (elenchthē). This word 'reproved' has layers of meaning.
It means to be exposed, to be convicted, to be put to shame, and even to be corrected or disciplined.
The light of Christ doesn't just reveal sin; it exposes its true nature and its destructive consequences. This exposure, this conviction, is what the habitually evil person dreads. They fear the shame, the inner turmoil, and the potential for their entire way of life to be judged and found wanting.
This aversion to being 'reproved' is precisely why they remain in darkness, resisting the very light that could lead them to repentance and transformation.
Understand the original words
phaulos · Greek Adjective
Ethically wrong, morally base, or harmful actions. These are deeds that demonstrate a fundamental opposition to the righteous standards of God.
alētheia · Greek Noun
Refers to that which is consistent with God's nature, His revealed word, and the reality of His kingdom; it is the opposite of falsehood or hypocrisy. In a theological sense, "doing what is true" involves living in alignment with God's will and moral character.
phōs · Greek Noun
A metaphor for God's presence, holiness, moral purity, and truth. Coming to the light involves bringing one's life into exposure before God, acknowledging His revelation, and rejecting the darkness of sin.
ergon · Greek Noun
In this context, refers to the ethical actions or deeds performed by a believer. These are not merit-based works for salvation, but are described as being "carried out in God," meaning they are empowered by the Holy Spirit and done in dependence upon Him.
This passage directly echoes John 3:20 by calling believers to 'have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them,' highlighting the connection between evil deeds, darkness, and the revealing nature of light.
1 John 1:5-7This passage describes God as light and states that He is not darkness. It then explains that walking in the light means fellowship with God and the cleansing of sins, directly contrasting with the idea in John 3:20 that evildoers hate the light.
Job 24:13-17This Old Testament passage vividly describes those who practice evil as preferring darkness and fearing the light, mirroring the sentiment in John 3:20 where evildoers shun the light lest their deeds be exposed.
Proverbs 4:18-19This proverb contrasts the path of the righteous, which shines brighter and brighter, with the path of the wicked, which is like deep darkness, illustrating the inherent opposition between righteousness and evil when confronted with divine light.
ellicottJohn 3:20: "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."
(20) For every one that doeth evil hateth the light. —In this and the next verse we have the explanation of the choice of the darkness and rejection of the light. The fact itself is first stated more strongly. Not only does the man that doeth evil love darkness rather than light, but he hates the light. (Comp. Note on John 7:7 .) Its presence makes manifest and reproves h…
vincentJohn 3:20: "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."
Doeth (πράσσων)The present participle, indicating habit and general tendency.Evil (φαῦλα)Rev., ill. A different word from that in the previous verse. Originally, light, paltry, trivial, and so worthless. Evil, therefore, considered on the side of worthlessness. See on James 3:16.Lest his works should be reproved (ἵνα μὴ ἐλεγχθῇ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ).Rather, in order…
The verse highlights that "doing evil" isn't just about outright wickedness, but can also refer to a life that's "worthless" or "trivial." People avoid the light not just because of dark deeds, but because the light would expose the emptiness and aimlessness of their chosen pursuits. This avoidance stems from a deep-seated desire to escape the shame or conviction that true light would bring to their hollow existence.
Jesus has just explained that his coming to earth is a judgment, not a condemnation. People choose darkness over light when their actions are wicked, not because God forces them to, but because the light exposes their deeds and the emptiness of their lives. This aversion to being seen for who they truly are is the core reason they reject divine truth.
Jesus has just explained that his coming to earth is a judgment, not a condemnation. People choose darkness over light when their actions are wicked, not because God forces them to, but because the light exposes their deeds and the emptiness of their lives. This aversion to being seen for who they truly are is the core reason they reject divine truth.
"For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in…" — The verse highlights that "doing evil" isn't just about outright wickedness, but can also refer to a life that's "worthless" or "trivial." People avoid the light not just because of dark deeds, but b…
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Last reviewed October 2026
