Thus it is said (John 3:13) that the Son of man who is in heaven came down out of heaven, and in John 3:31, John 3:32 that He that cometh out of heaven beareth witness (on earth) of what He has seen and heard; and that, being sent from God, He speaketh the words of God (John 3:34). [ a] and ye believe not; i.e. Essentially otherwise is it with heavenly things,—the divinity of Christ, ver. He there declares that He came down from heaven to bring this divine message to the world. We cannot doubt that he became so by means of the present discourse. If we look at the context of John's Gospel as far as chapter 3, the only water we've seen is the water of John's baptism and the water that Jesus turned to wine in Cana. Solid Joys. 5, 6, is a supernatural one. Not holy things as compared with sinful, nor spiritual things as compared with temporal; but things which are in heaven, mysteries of redemption, having their seat in the divine will, realized in the world through the work and death of Jesus Christ and the faith of mankind (John 5:14-16). John 3:16 gives us the glorious hope of eternal life in heaven through the love of God and death of Jesus Christ. So what is the meaning of 1 John 3:14? It has been urged against the genuineness of the fourth Gospel that the lofty and mystical language which is there ascribed to Jesus is inconsistent with the synoptical reports of His words. Use this table to get a word-for-word translation of the original Greek Scripture. He is dumb, because the truth has touched his heart. (It may also be said that ἐπίγειον is the recognition of the necessity of regeneration. … Continue reading "Commentary on Matthew 3:1-12" What does the word "this" refer to? (60) Whoever exclaims that he is offended by such meanness of language, or pleads it as an excuse for not subjecting himself to the word of God, speaks falsely; for he who cannot endure to embrace God, when he approaches to him, will still less fly to meet him above the clouds. John now explains what it means to love one another, first from a negative example the prototype of which was Cain (1Jn 3:12-15) and then from a positive perspective, the … (22-36) Commentary on John 3:1-8 (Read John 3:1-8) Nicodemus was afraid, or ashamed to be seen with Christ, therefore came in the night. Besides, these words must not be viewed as referring exclusively to a single sermon; for Christ’s ordinary method of teaching — that is, a popular simplicity of style — is here contrasted with the pompous and high-sounding phrases to which ambitious men are too strongly addicted. 4 f In him was life, 1 and g the life was the light of men. Therefore he could not begin to believe things that Jesus might have told him about "heavenly things." Christ affirmed that he came “to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). The difference, however, is this,—that in this passage the earthly things belong to the sphere of nature, while in our text a distinction is made even between the earthly and the heavenly in religious matters. Many crucial ideas are explained in this passage, including the role of Jesus as Savior. 12.If I have told you earthly things. The context includes previous witness borne by Him, and there must have been much which is unrecorded. The author of the fourth Gospel puts these words (John 3:12) into the mouth of Jesus. Hence, learn: 1. those things; ye do not receive them, nor give credit to them; or "me", as the Ethiopic Version adds, who relate them on the best evidence, having fully known, and clearly seen them: how shall ye believe; give credit to me, or receive my testimony: if I tell you of heavenly things? The author of the fourth Gospel was then clearly aware of two ways of teaching adopted by Jesus; the one the usual, in which he explained earthly things, evidently always in their relation to God and His kingdom; the other, which contrasted in many respects with the first, and which Jesus employed only exceptionally, in which He spoke directly, and as a witness, of God and the things of God, always naturally in connection with the fate of mankind. And you do not receive our witness. After the loud, public commotion at the temple, John transitions to a quiet, nighttime discussion. 7, ὃς δεῖ ὑμᾶς γεννηθῆναι ἄνωθεν.) For then the Lord would not have told him the heavenly things in what follows. 10-12. John 3:16 tells us of the love God has for us and the extent of that love—so great that He sacrificed His only Son on our behalf. Answer: 1. Since His baptism Jesus had heaven constantly open before Him; the decree of salvation was disclosed to Him; He had, in particular, heard these words: 'Thou art my well beloved Son;' He reposed on the Father's bosom, and He could descend and redescend without ceasing into the depths of the Father's fathomless love, of which He felt the vivifying power; and when He came, at certain exceptional moments, to speak of that divine relationship, and to give scope to that fullness of life with which it supplied Him, His language took a peculiar, solemn, mystical, one might even say a heavenly tone; for they were heavenly things which He then revealed. The apostle illustrates brotherly love by its contrary, in the instance of Cain, who was the first instance and example of hatred of the brethren, and of fratricide, and a very detestable one, by which he would dissuade from so vile and abominable a practice: John chapter 3 is one of the most important in the entire gospel. John 3:16 teaches us that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, will be saved. John was born six months before Jesus. In Colossians 3:2, the adjective appears in its analyzed form, τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, things on the earth. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3) What does Jesus mean when he said in John 3:12 “I have spoken to you of earthly things”? (John 1:12) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, (John 5:27) and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. The specific question which this essay tries to answer came from 1 Peter 3:9, 'Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called that you may obtain a blessing' (RSV). He was a kinsman of Jesus––a cousin, perhaps––or an uncle (Luke 1:36). 10, spoken to a member of the Chief Council, must have brought about a decision either for the one side or the other. If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? Regeneration pertains to earthly things, notwithstanding that its operating principle, the Holy Spirit, vers. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. Godet's words on this point are worth quoting: "It would be truly curious that the first who should have pointed out that contrast should be the Evangelist himself against whose narrative it has been brought forward as a ground of objection. He dresses like Elijah, and he sounds like Isaiah or Amos. . To understand 1 John 3:14, it is first of all important to understand why 1 John was written. The preceding behaviour of love? If I told you the earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you the heavenly things? Is there any probability that you will understand them? Or the following eschatological blessing? There is before us a vast eternity, and there are profound wonders of God's government, to be the study of the righteous, and to be seen and admired by them forever and ever. 3 e All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. The words, ye believe not, are not to be taken absolutely with respect to Nicodemus. Under John’s leadership, Grace Community Church's two morning worship services fill the 3,500-seat auditorium to capacity. But it shows an extraordinary degree of wickedness, that we yield less reverence to God speaking to us, because he condescends to our ignorance; and, therefore, when God prattles to us in Scripture in a rough and popular style, let us know that this is done on account of the love which he bears to us. Commentators have debated who “We” is in this passage. It is in this literal sense it is to be taken here; not things of earthly nature, but things whose proper place is on earth. This shows the English words related to the source biblical texts along with brief definitions. These can be accessible only when clearness has been attained with respect to the earthly things. Question: "Does John 3:13 mean that no one went to Heaven before Jesus?" To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament, The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, ἃ τοῖς ἐπὶ γῆς ἔτι διατρίβουσιν ἀνθρώποις δυνατὰ ὑπάρξαι τε καὶ νοηθῆναι. τὰ δὲ ἐν οὐρανοῖς τίς ἐξιχνίασε. With this declaration, which must have struck the more severely, since Nicodemus had begun with the confession, that Christ is a teacher come from God, and had therefore bound himself to accept without examination what He offered him, the Saviour gave the last blow to the dying unbelief of Nicodemus. John Piper Jan 8, … That if the one represents truthfully His style of speaking, the other must misrepresent it. But I rather agree with those who refer it to the form of instruction; for, though the whole of Christ’s discourse was heavenly, yet he spoke in a manner so familiar, that the style itself had some appearance of being earthly. The new birth is earthly in that it occurs on the earth. . John 3:11: Truly, truly, I say to you, We speak what we know and testify what we have seen. Comp. Jan 8, 2020. Some explain this to mean the elements of spiritual doctrine; for self-denial may be said to be the commencement of piety. The answer one gives to this question significantly reflects how one conceives of the motivation of love in 1 Peter. John tells us that when we are born again – born into the family of God – there is a real change in our relation to … However, when Jesus’ death has not yet taken place, Nicodemus could not be expected to understand that the crucifixion is in fact in view (unless we think that John 3.16 and onward is in fact not Jesus’ words, but John… Interactive Bible study with John Piper. or who can think what the will of the Lord is? When religion is out of fashion, there are many Nicodemites. Biblical Commentary (Bible study) John 3:1-17 EXEGESIS: JOHN 2, 7, AND 19. Questions and answers with John Piper. However, Nicodemus had not believed it. —Such as the regeneration which takes place on earth. But John and Jesus were close in … Experience shows that belief in the divinity of Christ and His atonement disappeared from the Church directly when it failed in the recognition of human depravity. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament, Frédéric Louis Godet - Commentary on Selected Books, Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary, Heinrich Meyer's Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament, Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament, Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Ernst Hengstenberg on John, Revelation, Ecclesiastes, Ezekiel & Psalms. When these elements are learnt, the mind is then, and then only, fitted to receive heavenly things. These are not necessarily restricted to the subjects of this interview. 5 h The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. And then it must be taken into view, that from ver. The point of decision, however, is designated by his silence, which is the more significant, since the Lord had severely attacked him in vers. divine decrees for man’s redemption and final blessedness, μόλις εἰκάζομεν τὰ ἐπὶ γῆς, τὰ δὲ ἐν οὐρανοῖς τίς ἐξιχνίασε. Now such is precisely the character of His language in the fourth Gospel." In the Matthean account, as in Mark whom the First Evangelist is closely following, we are given no inkling that the two men might be related. Note on John 16:12.). 2. These things might have included such revelations as life beyond the grave, life in the kingdom, and the new heavens and new earth (. This is an earthly fact. Following the turning of water into wine, the narrator says, "This beginning of 14, 15. the question in the Wisdom of Solomon, “What man is he that can know the counsel of God? The story of Nicodemus in John 3:1-17 is a take-off from the last three verses of chapter 2. 3. Especially ver. Christ's discourse with Nicodemus. 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. These are not necessarily restricted to the subjects of this interview. Ask Pastor John. Yes, God’s grace appeared “bringing salvation to all men” (Titus 2:11). Rendering the aorist more strictly, Itold. In the subsequent history, he is represented as a believer in Christ. Then we have the verse in question: What Every Marriage Needs Most. The Theme of Fellowship in 1 John. Compare Luke 10:18, sqq., where Jesus' words take on a character similar to that of His utterances in John. The teaching can only proceed step by step from the known to the unknown; but if the will refuses or the intellect neglects to know the knowable, the man cuts himself off from the power to receive truth. Cf. How shall ye believe - How will you believe. heavenly things—the things of the new and more heavenly evangelical economy, only to be fully understood after the effusion of the Spirit from heaven through the exalted Saviour. But “many” is an expression meaning “all” (see 1 Timothy 2:6; cf. John 3:12-13 New International Version (NIV) 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? THE CONTEXT Chapter 2 tells of the wedding at Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine (2:1-11) and the cleansing of the temple (2:13-22). 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. Look at the Book. There is much that we cannot yet understand. Instead, Cain showed that he did not love God by killing his brother. Biblical studies have demonstrated the total inadequacy of the proof text method of handling the bible, or the singling out of specific texts. What does this verse really mean? Its basis is insight into the natural character of man—his deep depravity. The message from the spirit-world has come, and others read it; but he has not learnt the alphabet. 12 If [and it is true] I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, Compounded of ἐπί, upon, and γῆ, earth. [⇑ See verse text ⇑] In contrast with loving one another in verse 11, John brings up the example of the first murderer, Cain. (12) Earthly things —i.e., things upon earth, having the sphere of their action upon earth. (John 10:18) “No one has taken it away from Me, but I … Heavenly things, in the same way, are things which have the sphere of their action in heaven, the full development of the spiritual life, of which the birth only is on earth; the divine counsels of redemption; the Messianic mysteries, of which this ruler of Israel does not understand even the initiation. John 3:12: If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how shall you believe if I tell you heavenly things? And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth, and with labour do we find the things that are before us: but the things that are in heaven who hath searched out?” (John 9:13; John 9:16). ... Scripture: Colossians 3:12–19. 1 John 3:12. If I told you earthly things and ye believe not, how will ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things? John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be born on earth and die on a cross. This teaching had been elementary. The instructions of the first kind had a more simple, more practical, more varied character. John 3:12 If I have told you of earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? The feebleness of our understandings and the corruptions of our hearts are the real causes why doctrines of religion are so little understood by us. He who has first clearly perceived this, and in whom, in consequence, a longing after a higher stage of existence has been awakened, he has already made an important progress in the understanding of regeneration. The earthly things are the elements of spiritual knowledge, having their test in the moral sense and in their fitness to supply the spiritual wants of man. John Piper Feb 18, 2007 638 Shares Ask Pastor John. But in that way Jesus could not attain to the final aim which He sought, the full revelation of the divine mystery, of the plan of salvation. We must accordingly suppose doctrines like that of the divinity of Christ. ν: eimi,v {i-mee’} 1) to be, to exist, to happen, to be present The context includes previous witness borne by Him, and there must have been much which is unrecorded. Did he mean that he is discussing with Nicodemus the things that can be done on earth? ver. Matthew 3:12 is the twelfth verse of the third chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament.The verse occurs in the section relating the preachings of John the Baptist.In this he uses the imagery of harvesting wheat to describe God's judgement. Earthly things. of the more sublime doctrines of the Gospel, such as the descent of the Messiah from heaven; the union of the two natures, human and divine, in him; his being the only begotten Son of God; his crucifixion and death, signified by the lifting up of the serpent on a pole in the wilderness; and the wonderful love of God to the Gentile world in giving Christ to, and for them; and the salvation, and eternal happiness of all that believe in him, whether they be Jews or Gentiles; and these delivered in language suitable to them, without figures, or natural similes, which help the understanding, and convey ideas of things more easily to it. John 3:16 (chapter 3, verse 16 of the Gospel of John of the New Testament) is one of the most widely quoted verses from the Bible and has been called the most famous Bible verse. Not as Cain That is, let us not be like him, or do as he did, hate the brethren. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power,(A)and that he had come from God(B)and was returning to God;4 so he got up from the meal, took … I will argue later that 'this' refers to behaviour and that therefore the … Cain recognized God (Genesis 4), but did not follow Him. In 2:23-25 John says that many in Jerusalem believed in Jesus because they saw the signs that he was doing. But Christ must proceed still further with him.". If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you, how shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things. That by earthly things is chiefly meant regeneration, is evident from the fact, that the Lord had previously spoken of this, ἔπον ὑμῖν. Anton: "These must have been real thorns in the heart of Nicodemus; now, however, he is submissive and perfectly quiet. 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