John 3:14 – “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up.”

Extended Explanation of the Verse

In this verse, Jesus refers to an Old Testament event to explain what will happen to Him. He is speaking to Nicodemus, who is struggling to understand spiritual rebirth. To help him, Jesus points back to a story Nicodemus would have known well—when Moses lifted up a bronze snake in the wilderness to heal the Israelites (Numbers 21:4-9).

Jesus is making a direct comparison between that event and His own mission. Just as the Israelites had to look at the bronze snake to be saved from death, people must look to Jesus—who will be “lifted up”—to be saved from sin and death.

The phrase “lifted up” has two meanings. On one level, it refers to Jesus being physically lifted up on the cross. But it also refers to His exaltation—being raised from the dead and returning to heaven.

By using this Old Testament story, Jesus is showing that salvation has always been about faith. The Israelites were healed when they trusted God’s way of salvation. In the same way, salvation today comes through trusting in Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross.

Historical Context

To fully understand this verse, we need to look at the Old Testament story Jesus refers to.

In Numbers 21:4-9, the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness and began complaining against God. As a result, God sent venomous snakes that bit the people, and many of them died. When they repented, God told Moses to make a bronze snake and lift it up on a pole. Anyone who looked at the snake was healed.

This event was a lesson in faith. The bronze snake itself had no power—it was faith in God’s promise that brought healing. The people had to trust God’s way, even if it seemed strange.

Jesus applies this story to Himself. The Israelites needed physical healing, but humanity’s deeper need is spiritual healing from sin. Just as the Israelites had to look at the bronze snake in faith, people must look to Jesus on the cross to receive eternal life.

For Nicodemus, this would have been a shocking idea. He was focused on obeying the Law to be right with God, but Jesus was saying that salvation comes through faith in Him—not through religious efforts.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches several key truths:

1. Jesus’ death on the cross is necessary for salvation.
   • Just as the bronze snake was the only way for the Israelites to be healed, Jesus is the only way for sinners to be saved.
2. Salvation comes through faith, not works.
   • The Israelites did not have to perform rituals or good deeds to be healed. They simply had to look at the snake. In the same way, salvation comes by trusting in Jesus, not by trying to earn it.
3. Sin brings death, but God provides a way of salvation.
   • The Israelites faced death because of their sin. Likewise, sin leads to eternal separation from God. But just as God provided a way of healing for the Israelites, He provides salvation through Jesus.
4. Jesus is both the sacrifice and the way to life.
   • The bronze snake was lifted up on a pole, just as Jesus was lifted up on the cross. His death is what makes eternal life possible.

Literary Analysis

This verse is a bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Jesus takes a familiar story and reveals its deeper meaning—it was always pointing to Him.

The phrase “must be lifted up” is crucial. It shows that Jesus’ death is not an accident—it is part of God’s plan. The word “must” indicates that this is the only way for salvation to happen.

John’s Gospel often uses double meanings, and we see that here. “Lifted up” means both crucifixion and exaltation. Jesus is lifted up in suffering, but He is also lifted up in glory through His resurrection and ascension.

By using a visual image—the bronze snake on a pole—Jesus makes a spiritual truth easier to grasp. He teaches Nicodemus (and us) that salvation is not about what we do but about where we look—to Him.

Biblical Cross-References

• Numbers 21:4-9 – The story of the bronze snake, which Jesus directly references.
• John 12:32 – Jesus says, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
• Isaiah 53:5 – The prophecy that the Messiah would be “pierced for our transgressions” to bring healing.
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 – Jesus became sin for us so that we could be made right with God.
• Hebrews 12:2 – We are to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is a powerful reminder that salvation is simple—we must look to Jesus in faith. Just as the Israelites had to trust God’s way of healing, we must trust Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

Many people today try to find salvation through good works, religious rituals, or personal effort, but Jesus is clear: the only way to be saved is to look to Him.

This verse also teaches humility. The Israelites had to admit they were helpless and needed God’s intervention. In the same way, we must recognize that we cannot save ourselves—we need Jesus.

For those who are already Christians, this verse reminds us to keep our eyes on Jesus. The Israelites were healed by looking at the bronze snake, and we are transformed by keeping our focus on Christ. Our faith is not in ourselves but in Him.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in the fact that He provides a way of salvation even when people don’t deserve it. The Israelites sinned and faced judgment, but God gave them a way to be healed.

Likewise, we all have sinned and deserve death (Romans 6:23), but God, in His love, sent Jesus to be lifted up on the cross so that we might be saved.

This verse points to John 3:16, where Jesus explains that His coming into the world is driven by God’s love for humanity.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is directly comparing Himself to the bronze snake in the wilderness. This means:

• He will be lifted up on the cross to provide salvation.
• He is the only way to be saved.
• Those who look to Him in faith will have eternal life.

This verse foreshadows what Jesus will accomplish through His death and resurrection. The cross is not just a tragic event—it is the centerpiece of God’s plan to save the world.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think Jesus used the story of the bronze snake to explain salvation?
2. How does this verse challenge the idea that people can be saved through their own efforts?
3. What does it mean to “look to Jesus” for salvation in practical terms?
4. How does this verse deepen your understanding of the cross?
5. How can this verse help you explain the gospel to someone who is unfamiliar with Christianity?

John 3:14 is a powerful picture of salvation. Just as the Israelites were healed by looking at the bronze snake, we are saved by looking to Jesus in faith. His death on the cross is the only way to eternal life, and His resurrection proves that He is the Savior of the world. The question is: Will we look to Him?