約翰福音 3:11-12 RCUVTS

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:9-13

The advent of a wholly new teaching. Nicodemus asks in surprise, "How can these things be?" And Jesus, with equal surprise, asks how a teacher in Israel can be ignorant of them. Then he discloses a new scheme of truth. I. THE NEW TEACHING "We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen." Mark: 1 . Its nature. "That we do know." 2 . Its source. "That we have seen." Man believes, for he must here walk by faith, not by sight; but Jesus sees. He has seen heaven,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:11

Verily, verily, I say to thee, We speak that which we know, and testify that which we have seen. Lucke and Meyer think that our Lord here merely uses the pluralis majestaticus— uses it as St. Paul does, when clearly he was referring to himself alone. It is difficult to believe this in the curious and impressive change of person here adopted, and the return to the first person singular in John 3:12 . There was some reason why Jesus, in making this particular saying, uses the plural. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:12

If I told you earthly things and ye believe not, how will ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things? Our Lord here drops the plural form of address, and returns to the singular. He is about to refer to matters in which the testimony of disciples was not available. It has sometimes been said that the "earthly" and "heavenly" things refer to the wind parable and its interpretation. But, on the supposition that there is a parable or metaphor in John 3:8 , which we have seen reason to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 3:11

We speak - Jesus here speaks in the plural number, including himself and those engaged with him in preaching the gospel. Nicodemus had said John 3:2, “we know that thou art,” etc., including himself and those with whom he acted. Jesus in reply said, we, who are engaged in spreading the new doctrines about which you have come to inquire, speak what we know. We do not deliver doctrines which we do not practically understand. This is a positive affirmation of Jesus, which he had a right to make... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 3:12

If I have told you earthly things - Things which occur on earth. Not sensual or worldly things, for Jesus had said nothing of these; but he had told him of operations of the Spirit which had occurred “on earth,” whose effects were visible, and which “might” be, therefore, believed. These were the plainest and most obvious of the doctrines of religion.How shall ye believe - How will you believe. Is there any probability that you will understand them?Heavenly things - Things pertaining to the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 3:11

John 3:11. We speak that we do know I, and all that truly believe in me. Or, he may refer to the testimony that was given to the truth of his doctrine by John the Baptist, and to the preaching also of his own disciples, who all concurred in testifying the same things, the certainty of which they were assured of by the illuminating influences of the Holy Spirit, and by their own experience, while it was known to Christ by his omniscience, and by the intimate acquaintance that he had with all... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 3:12-13

John 3:12-13. If I have told you earthly things As the truths which I have taught you concerning the spiritual nature of God’s kingdom, and the qualifications of his subjects, may properly be termed, because they are capable of being represented to you in a familiar way, and of being illustrated by such obvious and well-known similitudes as to be rendered thereby perfectly plain and easy to be understood. Or, by earthly things, he might mean things to be experienced and enjoyed on earth,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 3:1-21

21. Jesus and Nicodemus (3:1-21)Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish Council, or Sanhedrin, was impressed with Jesus’ miracles, but faith based on miracles alone is not enough. There must be inner cleansing, a complete change of heart brought about by the creative power of the Spirit of God. Only then can a person enter the kingdom of God (John 3:1-5; cf. Ezekiel 36:25-27).Jews prided themselves that they were born Jews, and thought this guaranteed their entrance into the kingdom of God. Jesus was... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 3:11

testify = bear witness to. Greek. martureo. See notes on John 1:7 and p. 1511. seen. Greek horao. App-133 . Compare John 1:18 ; John 14:7 , John 14:9 . ye : i.e. ye teachers of Israel. witness. See note on John 1:7 . read more