John 3:12

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 3:7-13

3:7-13 Do not be surprised that I said to you: "You must be reborn from above. The wind blows where it will, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes and whither it goes. So is every one that is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus answered: "How can these things happen?" Jesus answered: "Are you the man whom everyone regards as the teacher of Israel, and you do not understand these things? This is the truth I tell you--we speak what we know, and we bear witness to what we... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 3:12

If I have told you earthly things ,.... Not that the doctrines he delivered were earthly ones; for he was not of the earth, but from heaven, and above all, and so spake not of the earth, but of heaven, John 3:31 ; and this doctrine of regeneration was an heavenly doctrine; and the thing itself required supernatural power, and grace from above: but either they were the more easy doctrines of the Gospel; or were delivered in a plain and easy style, and illustrated by similes taken from... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:12

If I have told you earthly things - If, after I have illustrated this new birth by a most expressive metaphor taken from earthly things, and after all you believe not; how can you believe, should I tell you of heavenly things, in such language as angels use, where earthly images and illustrations can have no place? Or, if you, a teacher in Israel, do not understand the nature of such an earthly thing, or custom of the kingdom established over the Jewish nation, as being born of baptism,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:12

Verse 12 12.If I have told you earthly things. Christ concludes that it ought to be laid to the charge of Nicodemus and others, if they do not make progress in the doctrine of the Gospel; for he shows that the blame does not lie with him, that all are not properly instructed, since he comes down even to the earth, that he may raise us to heaven. It is too common a fault that men desire to be taught in an ingenious and witty style. Hence, the greater part of men are so delighted with lofty and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:1-36

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:3-12

(1) The conditions of admission into the kingdom of God. New birth of the Spirit. read more

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 3:9-13

The advent of a wholly new teaching. Nicodemus asks in surprise, "How can these things be?" And Jesus, with equal surprise, asks how a teacher in Israel can be ignorant of them. Then he discloses a new scheme of truth. I. THE NEW TEACHING "We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen." Mark: 1 . Its nature. "That we do know." 2 . Its source. "That we have seen." Man believes, for he must here walk by faith, not by sight; but Jesus sees. He has seen heaven,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 3:12

If I told you earthly things and ye believe not, how will ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things? Our Lord here drops the plural form of address, and returns to the singular. He is about to refer to matters in which the testimony of disciples was not available. It has sometimes been said that the "earthly" and "heavenly" things refer to the wind parable and its interpretation. But, on the supposition that there is a parable or metaphor in John 3:8 , which we have seen reason to... 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

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