John 3:14

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 3:14-15

3:14-15 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that every one who believes in him may have eternal life. John goes back to a strange Old Testament story which is told in Numbers 21:4-9 . On their journey through the wilderness the people of Israel murmured and complained and regretted that they had ever left Egypt. To punish them God sent a plague of deadly, fiery serpents; the people repented and cried for mercy. God instructed Moses... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 3:14

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness ,.... The history referred to is in Numbers 21:8 . There is, in many things, an agreement between this serpent, and Jesus Christ: as in the matter of it, it was a brazen serpent; it was made not of gold, nor of silver, but of brass, the meaner metal, and was a very unlikely means, of itself, to heal the Israelites; and might be despised by many: this may denote the meanness of Christ in his human nature, in his birth and parentage, and... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:14

Verse 14 14.And as Moses lifted up the serpent. He explains more clearly why he said that it is he alone to whom heaven is opened; namely, that he brings to heaven all who are only willing to follow him as their guide; for he testifies that he will be openly and publicly manifested to all, that he may diffuse his power over men of every class. (62) To be lifted up means to be placed in a lofty and elevated situation, so as to be exhibited to the view of all. This was done by the preaching of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:1-36

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:3-21

5. The revelation of earthly and heavenly things to one who knew that God was with him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:13-15

(2) The truth concerning the Son of man and his sacrifice. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:14-15

And . Seeing that our Lord had claimed supreme right to speak of heavenly things, he proceeds at once to speak of them also. There may be many ways of taking the καὶ : supposing that it indicates a transition from the person of the Lord to his work. From his Divine and endowed humanity thus shown to be competent to explain and re veal heavenly things, he proceeds to his atoning sacrifice. These underlying links of connection are not mutually exclusive. Even as Moses lifted up the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:14-15

The revelation of the Divine plan of salvation. Redemption is the essential content of revelation. The Incarnation carries with it the necessity of the Crucifixion. I. THE NATURE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT SYMBOL HERE PRESENTED TO OUR VIEW . "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up." 1 . This refers to the last miracle wrought by Moses on the borders of the promised land. ( Numbers 21:7 .) 2 . The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:14-15

An emblem of salvation. It was Christ's teaching that Moses testified of him. This Moses did by foretelling the advent of a prophet like unto himself, and still more strikingly by the whole system of sacrifice which he perfected, and which the Messiah both fulfilled and superseded. He did so likewise by symbolic acts, thus unconsciously witnessing to Christ and his works. It was natural that our Lord's first mention of Moses should occur in his conversation with a Hebrew rabbi, an... read more

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