The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:13-15
(2) The truth concerning the Son of man and his sacrifice. read more
John 3:10-13 Asv
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 3:10
A master of Israel - A “teacher” of Israel; the same word that in the second verse is translated “teacher.” As such a teacher he ought to have understood this doctrine. It was not new,” but was clearly taught in the Old Testament. See particularly Psalms 51:10, Psalms 51:16-17; Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 36:26. It may seem surprising that a man whose business it was to teach the people should be a stranger to so plain and important a doctrine; but when worldly-minded men are placed in offices of... 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
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 3:13
And no man hath ascended into heavens - No man, therefore, is qualified to speak of heavenly things, John 3:12. To speak of those things requires intimate acquaintance with them - demands that we have seen them; and as no one has ascended into heaven and returned, so no one is qualified to speak of them but He who came down from heaven. This does not mean that no one had Gone to heaven or had been saved, for Enoch and Elijah had been borne there (Genesis 5:24; compare Hebrews 11:5; 2 Kings... read more
Joseph Benson
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 3:9-10
John 3:9-10. Nicodemus answered, How can these things be? Christ’s explication of the doctrine of regeneration, and its necessity, made it no clearer to him. The corruption of nature, which renders it necessary, and the operation of the Spirit, which renders it practicable, were as great mysteries to him as the thing itself. And though he had acknowledged Christ to be a divine teacher, he was unwilling to receive his doctrine when it did not agree with his preconceived notions. Thus 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
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The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:13
And . The simple copula is here fuller significance. Olshausen regards it as "adversative," equivalent to "yet." Meyer, as a simple continuation of the previous statement. The καὶ has more than a mere conjunctive force. Lance puts it thus: "And yet you must be told heavenly things by him who, being the Heavenly One, is himself the first subject of this revelation." No one hath ascended into heaven. The past tense must be honestly considered. The word cannot refer to the future ascension... read more