=21. But he that doeth the truth.= Man _practises_ the evil (πράσσω), he _does_ the truth (ποιέω). Compare ch. 5:29, where the same distinction is observed: “they that have _done_ good (shall come forth) unto the resurrection of life, they that have _practised_ evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” “He that _practises_ (πράσσω) has nothing but his _practice_, which is an event, a thing of the past, a source to him only of condemnation, for he has nothing to show for it, for it is also worthless (φαῦλον); whereas he that _does_ (ποιέω) has his _deed_--he has abiding fruit; his works do follow him.”--(_Alford._)--=Cometh to the light.= Not merely is willing and desirous to come to the light, but is also enabled to come to it, and to appreciate and receive it (Prov. 4:18; John 7:17). Observe that throughout the N. T. truth is represented not merely as an abstract philosophy to be intellectually received, but as a _life_ in harmony with the eternal verities of God’s law and character. Thus the incarnation is the fundamental doctrine of Christianity; as Christ is himself emphatically the Truth, so every Christian must be in a smaller measure an embodiment and incarnation of divine truth, manifesting it less by his words than by his life. So, on the other hand, Paul catalogues the vices of life, as the things which are contrary to “sound doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:10). For an exemplification of what it is to do the truth, see Psalm 15.--=That they are wrought in God.= The Christian comes to the light, not for self-glorification, but to glorify God; his desire is not to manifest the goodness in himself, but the goodness in God which has triumphed over the evil in himself (Matt. 5:16; 1 Cor. 15:10). * * * * * Ch. 3:22-36. FURTHER TESTIMONY FROM JOHN THE BAPTIST TO JESUS.--THE OFFICE AND THE JOY OF THE MINISTRY--CHRIST CONTRASTED WITH HIS HERALD--THE HUMAN CONFIRMATION OF DIVINE TRUTH--THE CONDITIONS OF SALVATION--THE GROUND OF CONDEMNATION--THE DANGER OF AND THE DEFENCE FROM ENVY. 22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judæa; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.[104] [104] ch. 4:2. =22. After these things.= Not necessarily immediately after. There is nothing to indicate how much time elapsed between the conversation with Nicodemus and the events recorded in the latter part of this chapter, except the note of time in verse 24.--=And baptized.= Christ did not baptize (ch. 4:2), and the baptism could not have been in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, for the Holy Ghost was not yet given (John 7:39), that is, in such measure as to be the common heritage of all disciples. The probable explanation of the statement here and in ch. 4:1, 2, is that of Chrysostom: “Both parties (John and the disciples of Jesus) alike had one reason for baptizing, and that was to lead the baptized to Christ.”