John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

WEB

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

KJV

What John 3:16 means

It means God's love for the world is so great that he gave his own Son, so that anyone who trusts in him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 sums up the heart of the Christian message: God acted first, out of love, and at great cost. The gift is his Son, Jesus; the offer is open to anyone ("whoever"); and what it secures is not just a longer life but an unending one with God. Belief here means trust, not mere agreement.