John 3:16 is one of the most beloved verses in the Bible. It reads: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse encapsulates the central message of Christianity - God's love for humanity and the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. The verse emphasizes the universal nature of God's love ("the world"), the sacrificial nature of that love ("gave his one and only Son"), and the promise of eternal life for those who believe.