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John 3:36 contrasts those who believe in the Son and those who do not, saying, “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (NKJV).
The “wrath of God” is the eternal consequence for refusing to believe in the Son. This is not a momentary state of anger; instead, it is an eternal wrath that will abide, or remain, on sinners who persist in unbelief. The wrath of God is not capricious or arbitrary; rather, it is a justified response to a person’s decision to reject the Son, who is the only means of salvation (see John 14:6). The NLT words John 3:36 this way: “Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son . . . remains under God’s angry judgment.”
The theme of divine wrath toward unbelief is consistent throughout the New Testament. For example, Romans 1:18 says, “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth” (ESV). In both John 3:36 and Romans 1:18, the wrath of God abides on those who reject God’s revelation in Christ. God’s character—His justice, holiness, and righteousness—demands a response to sin.
Some translations of John 3:36 mention the need to “obey” the Son. The ESV is one such translation: “Whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (see also the NASB). Obedience to Christ is having faith in Him. Disobedience is a rejection of Him. Ephesians 5:6 also links the wrath of God to disobedience: “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience” (ESV). Paul warns that disobedience—specifically, the refusal to believe in (and obey) Christ—invites the wrath of God. The connection between disobedience and wrath underscores the importance of obeying the command to believe in Christ for eternal life.
The dire consequence of rejecting Christ is not intended to evoke fear for its own sake but to drive home the necessity of believing in Christ. John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (ESV). We are all born sinners, and thus we start out under the wrath of God. On those who reject the Son, God’s wrath continues to abide. But God’s desire is not condemnation but salvation. As Peter writes, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (ESV).
When John states that “the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36), he is referring to whoever rejects the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This rejection is a failure to believe in Christ and also disobedience on the sinner’s part. Having turned their backs on mercy, they abide under the wrath of God. Thankfully, God desires for all people to come unto faith and repentance, and He has made provision for escaping His wrath and entering into eternal life through His Son.
