Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - John 3:1-36
The Intellectual Type John 3:1 I. The prominent feature of this man's nature was pure intellectuality the love of truth as such; a strong man, and yet a weak man; one without whom neither the Church nor the world can well do, and yet who has many failings. This man was bent more on spiritual certainty than on spiritual safety. We all know this type of man lean of visage, hungry of soul, burning with a consuming desire to unlock the riddle of the universe the devotee, often the martyr, of the... read more
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - John 3:15
(15) Not perish, but . . .—These words have been added here from the following verse. Omitting them, the sentence should be rendered, that every one who believeth may have in Him eternal life. This construction is borne out by a comparison of John 5:39; John 16:33; John 20:31. “To believe in Him” is not used by St. John. (See Note on John 1:12.) The thought of this verse is that as every Israelite, believing in God, had in the brazen serpent a message from God; so every man who believes in God... read more