Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
That doeth ill (o faula prasswn). The word faulov means first worthless and then wicked (usually so in N.T.) and both senses occur in the papyri. In John 5:29 see contrast between agaqa poiew (doing good things) and faula prassw (practising evil things).
Hateth the light (misei to fwv). Hence talks against it, ridicules Christ, Christianity, churches, preachers, etc. Does it in talk, magazines, books, in a supercilious tone of sheer ignorance.
Cometh not to the light (ouk erxetai prov to fwv). The light hurts his eyes, reveals his own wickedness, makes him thoroughly uncomfortable. Hence he does not read the Bible, he does not come to church, he does not pray. He goes on in deeper darkness.
Lest his works should be reproved (ina mh elegxqh ta erga autou). Negative final clause (ina mh) with first aorist passive subjunctive of elegxw, old word to correct a fault, to reprove, to convict. See also John 8:46; John 16:8. To escape this unpleasant process the evil man cuts out Christ.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing John 3:20:
John 3:15
John 3:16
John 8:46
James 2:9
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