John 3:11-17 WEB

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 3:17

For God sent not his Son into the world ,.... God did send his Son into the world in the likeness of sinful flesh, being made of a woman, and made under the law; and which is an instance of his great love, and not of any disrespect to his Son, or of any inequality between them: but then this was not to condemn the world ; even any part of it, or any in it: not the Gentiles, as the Jews thought he would; for though God had suffered them to walk in their own ways, and had winked at, or... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:11

We speak that we do know - I and my disciples do not profess to teach a religion which we do not understand, nor exemplify in our conduct. A strong but delicate reproof to Nicodemus, who, though a master of Israel, did not understand the very rudiments of the doctrine of salvation. He was ignorant of the nature of the new birth. How wretched is the lot of that minister, who, while he professes to recommend the salvation of God to others, is all the while dealing in the meagre, unfruitful... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:12

If I have told you earthly things - If, after I have illustrated this new birth by a most expressive metaphor taken from earthly things, and after all you believe not; how can you believe, should I tell you of heavenly things, in such language as angels use, where earthly images and illustrations can have no place? Or, if you, a teacher in Israel, do not understand the nature of such an earthly thing, or custom of the kingdom established over the Jewish nation, as being born of baptism,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:13

No man hath ascended - This seems a figurative expression for, No man hath known the mysteries of the kingdom of God; as in Deuteronomy 30:12 ; Psalm 73:17 ; Proverbs 30:4 ; Romans 11:34 . And the expression is founded upon this generally received maxim: That to be perfectly acquainted with the concerns of a place, it is necessary for a person to be on the spot. But our Lord probably spoke to correct a false notion among the Jews, viz. that Moses had ascended to heaven, in order to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:14

As Moses lifted up - He shows the reason why he descended from heaven, that he might be lifted up, i.e. crucified, for the salvation of man. kind, and be, by the appointment of God, as certain a remedy for sinful souls as the brazen serpent elevated on a pole, Numbers 21:9 , was for the bodies of the Israelites, which had been bitten by the fiery serpents in the wilderness. It does not appear to me that the brazen serpent was ever intended to be considered as a type of Christ. It is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:15

That whosoever believeth - Bp. Pearce supposes that this verse is only the conclusion of the 16th, and that it has been inserted in this place by mistake. The words contain the reason of the subject in the following verse, and seem to break in upon our Lord's argument before he had fully stated it. The words, μη αποληται αλλα , may not perish but, are omitted by some very ancient MSS. and versions. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:16

For God so loved the world - Such a love as that which induced God to give his only begotten son to die for the world could not be described: Jesus Christ does not attempt it. He has put an eternity of meaning in the particle οὑτω , so, and left a subject for everlasting contemplation, wonder, and praise, to angels and to men. The same evangelist uses a similar mode of expression, 1 John 3:1 ; : Behold, What Manner of love, ποταπην αγαπην , the Father hath bestowed upon us. From the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:17

For God sent not, etc. - It was the opinion of the Jews that the Gentiles, whom they often term the world, עלמה olmah , and העולם אומות omoth haolam , nations of the world, were to be destroyed in the days of the Messiah. Christ corrects this false opinion; and teaches here a contrary doctrine. God, by giving his Son, and publishing his design in giving him, shows that he purposes the salvation, not the destruction, of the world - the Gentile people: nevertheless, those who will not... read more

John Calvin

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 Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 3:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:17

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

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

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