Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 3:19

"And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil." — John 3:19 (ASV)

The difference between believers and unbelievers does not lie in the guilt or innocence of either; it lies in the different attitudes they take toward the “light.” Unbelievers shrink from the light because it exposes their sin; believers willingly come to the light so that their real motives may be revealed (see also 1Jn 1:8-9). Furthermore, darkness (defined as love of evil deeds) keeps people from responding to the light . All of us are held accountable for our actions, and the choice is ours: evil deeds or truth.