John 3:13

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 3:13

And , &c. The kai (= And) here is a Hebraism, and does not mark the actual transition. There is nothing whatever in the context to show where the Paragraph breaks should be in this chapter; either in the MSS., or in the Versions. The Authorized Version varies in its different editions. The Authorized Version text in the Revised Version Parallel Bible has a at John 3:14 and John 3:16 . The Camb. Paragraph Bible (Dr. Scrivener) has no break either at verses: John 3:3 , John 3:14 or 16. The... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 3:13

And no one hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven, even the Son of man who is in heaven.Here Jesus claimed his unique office as God's messenger who descended to man out of heaven, and yet, in a sense, who was still in heaven. This verse, admittedly difficult, has led to the view that heaven is a state rather than a place, and that Jesus could say the Son of man was in heaven even while he was on earth. Another view supported by this is that during the personal ministry... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 3:12-13

John 3:12-13. If I have told you earthly things,— "If you believe not these obvious truths concerning the spiritual nature of God's kingdom, and the qualifications of his subjects, how shall you believe the more sublime doctrines of religion, which I am come to teach you?" OurLord goes on, "In the mean time, you may safely receive my instructions; for I am vested with an authority, and endued with gifts far superior to all prophets that have ever appeared; No man hath ascended up to heaven,"... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 3:13

13. no man hath ascended, &c.—There is something paradoxical in this language—"No one has gone up but He that came down, even He who is at once both up and down." Doubtless it was intended to startle and constrain His auditor to think that there must be mysterious elements in His Person. The old Socinians, to subvert the doctrine of the pre-existence of Christ, seized upon this passage as teaching that the man Jesus was secretly caught up to heaven to receive His instructions, and then... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 3:1-21

3. Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus 3:1-21John now presented evidence that Jesus knew people as no others did and that many believed in His name (John 2:23). This constitutes further witness that He is the Son of God. John summarized several conversations that Jesus had with various individuals in the next few chapters. They were remarkably different types of people, yet they all responded positively to Jesus. The first man was a representative of Pharisaic Judaism. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 3:13

Jesus explained why He could speak authoritatively about heavenly things. No teacher had ascended into heaven and returned to teach about heavenly things. Evidently Jesus was referring to being personally present in heaven since, obviously, many prophets had received visions of heaven (e.g., Isaiah 6; cf. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4; Revelation 1:10-20). However the Son of Man descended from heaven so He could teach about heavenly things. The NIV translation implies that Jesus had already ascended... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 3:13-36

C. Jesus’ first visit to Jerusalem 2:13-3:36John is the only evangelist who recorded this trip to Jerusalem and the things that happened then."In distinction from the Synoptics, John’s record focuses mostly on events in Jesus’ life that took place in Jerusalem, and especially at the Passover feasts." [Note: Bailey, p. 164.] Josephus indicated that as many as three million Jews occupied Jerusalem during the Passover feasts. [Note: Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, 6:9:3; cf. 2:14:3.] 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

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