John 3:30-31 NIV

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 3:30

This classic expression of humility arose out of John’s perception of and acceptance of His God-given role as Messiah’s forerunner. Far from discouraging people from following Jesus, as his disciples implied he should, John would continue to promote Him. He viewed this as God’s will and therefore said it "must" be so. Would that all of us who are God’s servants would view Jesus’ position and our own similarly. Submission to God’s will and the exaltation of Jesus, not prominence in His service,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 3:31-32

The incarnate Son of God has come to earth from above (cf. John 3:13). John sought to fulfill his purpose of proving that Jesus is the Christ (John 20:31) partially by stressing that Jesus’ origin was "from above." Birth from above (John 3:3), the new birth, can only come by faith in Him who is from above. His place of origin illustrates His superiority over all earthly people that humanity binds to the "earth" (Gr. ge, this planet) including John the Baptist. Finite humans can only reveal... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 3:31-36

5. The explanation of Jesus’ preeminence 3:31-36This pericope explains why Jesus must become greater. It also unites several themes that appear through chapter 3. John the Apostle or John the Baptist may be the speaker. This is not entirely clear. read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - John 3:31

3:31 earth (a-16) Or 'is from the earth.' The sense is 'having by nature his origin' here below, he is of and belongs to the earth. 'Of' ( ek ) is characteristic. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:1-36

The New Birth. John’s Testimony to Jesus1-15. Conversation with Nicodemus. The ministry at Jerusalem, though disappointing, was not fruitless. Christ’s miracles and teaching had made an impression, not only on Nicodemus, but as Nicodemus himself says (John 3:2, cp. John 12:42), on other members of the Sanhedrin. This interview took place by night, on account of the timidity of Nicodemus (cp. John 7:50), and probably in St. John’s house at Jerusalem, the evangelist himself being present.... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - John 3:30

(30) He must increase, but I must decrease.—The office of the paranymph ceases to exist when the marriage is accomplished. It must be so. So too in the interpretation. His own work was well-nigh done, but he is filled with the joy of having done his work, not with disappointment that it pales before the brightness of the work which is to follow. This is the text of the Forerunner’s life. Well will it be for those followers of Christ whose lives shall be sermons on it! read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - John 3:31

(31) He that cometh from above.—Comp. Note on John 3:13, and John 8:23. It is expressed in another form in the last clause of the verse.Is above all—i.e., above all persons, and, as the context limits the sense, specially above all teachers.He that is of the earth is earthly.—This is the right sense, but the force of the words is lessened by not preserving the three-fold “of the earth” which is in the Greek. “He who is of the earth, of the earth he is, and of the earth he speaketh.” The first... read more

William Nicoll

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

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - John 3:1-36

II. Eternal Life Imparted: What it is and What it Includes Chapter 2:23-17 The second part of this Gospel contains the blessed teachings the Son of God gave concerning eternal life, how it is imparted and what it includes. Everything in these chapters is new. The story of Nicodemus, the woman at Sychar’s well, the healing of the impotent man, the discourses of our Lord, etc., are not reported by the synoptic Gospels. There is not a word of the Sermon on the Mount reported by John; the many... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - John 3:31

3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is {x} earthly, and {y} speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.(x) Is nothing else but man, a piece of work made of the slime of the earth.(y) Is characterized by nothing but corruption, ignorance, dulness, etc. read more