Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 3:15

"that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life." — John 3:15 (ASV)

The reference to a story in the Pentateuch (Numbers 21:4–9) would have been familiar to Nicodemus, for the Jewish scholars spent the larger part of each day in the study of Scripture and often memorized not only the Pentateuch but the entire OT. Although Jesus did not elaborate the details of this allusion, it has several aspects applicable to the present situation. (1) The ancient Israelites were guilty of disobedience and a grumbling and unthankful spirit. (2) They were under the condemnation of God and were being punished for their sin. (3) The object elevated before them was the emblem of their judgment. (4) They were unable to rescue themselves. (5) The poison of the serpents was deadly, and there was no antidote for it. (6) They were urged to look at the serpent in order to receive life.

Jesus insisted that he would be “lifted up” (GK 5738), a word used elsewhere for crucifixion (8:28; 12:32–33). He was summoning people to receive him as God’s provision for the cure of sin and to place complete confidence in him for the future. Such confidence or belief would ensure partaking in the life of the age to come.