John 3:10-13 ASV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:11

Verse 11 11.We speak what we know. Some refer this to Christ and John the Baptist; others say that the plural number is used instead of the singular. For my own part, I have no doubt that Christ mentions himself in connection with all the prophets of God, and speaks generally in the person of all. Philosophers and other vain-glorious teachers frequently bring forward trifles which they have themselves invented; but Christ claims it as peculiar to himself and all the servants of God, that they... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:12

Verse 12 12.If I have told you earthly things. Christ concludes that it ought to be laid to the charge of Nicodemus and others, if they do not make progress in the doctrine of the Gospel; for he shows that the blame does not lie with him, that all are not properly instructed, since he comes down even to the earth, that he may raise us to heaven. It is too common a fault that men desire to be taught in an ingenious and witty style. Hence, the greater part of men are so delighted with lofty and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:13

Verse 13 13.No one hath ascended to heaven. He again exhorts Nicodemus not to trust to himself and his own sagacity, because no mortal man can, by his own unaided powers, enter into heaven, but only he who goes thither under the guidance of the Son of God. For to ascend to heaven means here, “to have a pure knowledge of the mysteries of God, and the light of spiritual understanding.” For Christ gives here the same instruction which is given by Paul, when he declares that the sensual man does... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:1-36

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:3-12

(1) The conditions of admission into the kingdom of God. New birth of the Spirit. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:3-21

5. The revelation of earthly and heavenly things to one who knew that God was with him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 3:10

Jesus answered and said to him, Art thou the teacher of Israel, and perceivest thou not these things? The term "Israel" is used four times by John ( John 1:31 , John 1:49 ; John 12:13 ; and here). In each place the high dignity, calling, and glory of the nation chosen for the loftiest privilege and destiny are involved. Notice the article, "the Israel" of God. The article before διδάσκαλος gives a high distinction to Nicodemus. Schottgen and Lucke suppose some special office to be... 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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:13

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:1-36

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:3-12

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:3-21

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:9-13

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:10

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:11

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:12

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