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Selected Verse: John 3:31 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Joh 3:31 |
King James |
He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
| He that, &c.--Here is the reason why He must increase while all human teachers must decrease. The Master "cometh from above"--descending from His proper element, the region of those "heavenly things" which He came to reveal, and so, although mingling with men and things on the earth, is not "of the earth," either in Person or Word. The servants, on the contrary, springing of earth, are of the earth, and their testimony, even though divine in authority, partakes necessarily of their own earthiness. (So strongly did the Baptist feel this contrast that the last clause just repeats the first). It is impossible for a sharper line of distinction to be drawn between Christ and all human teachers, even when divinely commissioned and speaking by the power of the Holy Ghost. And who does not perceive it? The words of prophets and apostles are undeniable and most precious truth; but in the words of Christ we hear a voice as from the excellent Glory, the Eternal Word making Himself heard in our own flesh. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
He that cometh from above - The Messiah, represented as coming down from heaven. See Joh 3:13; Joh 6:33; Joh 8:23. It has been doubted whether the remainder of this chapter contains the words of "John the Baptist" or of "the evangelist." The former is the more probable opinion, but it is difficult to decide it, and it is of very little consequence.
Is above all - In nature, rank, and authority. "Is superior to all prophets" Heb 1:1-2; "to all angels" Heb 1:4-14, "and is over all the universe as its sovereign Lord," Rom 9:5; Eph 1:21-22; Col 1:15-19; Co1 15:25.
He that is of the earth - He who has no higher nature than the human nature. The prophets, apostles, and John were men like others, born in the same way, and sinking, like others, to the dust. See Act 14:15. Jesus had a nature superior to man, and "ought," therefore, to be exalted above all.
Is earthly - Is human. Is inferior to him who comes from heaven. Partakes of his origin, which is inferior and corrupt.
Speaketh of the earth - His teaching is inferior to that of him who comes from heaven. It is comparatively obscure and imperfect, not full and clear, like the teaching of him who is from above. This was the case with all the prophets; and even with John the Baptist, as compared with the teaching of Christ. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
He that cometh (ὁ ἐρχόμενος)
The present participle. The coming regarded as still in process of manifestation. Compare Joh 6:33.
From above (ἄνωθεν)
See on Joh 3:2.
Above (ἐπάνω)
Supreme.
Of the earth (ἐκ τῆς γῆς)
Literally, out of the earth; of earthly origin.
Is earthly
The same phrase, out of the earth, is repeated, signifying of earthly nature. On the characteristic phrase εἶναι ἐκ, to be of, see on Joh 1:46.
Speaketh of the earth
Out of the earth. His words have an earthly source. On λαλεΐ́, speaketh, see on Mat 28:18. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| It is not improbable, that what is added, to the end of the chapter, are the words of the evangelist, not the Baptist. He that is of the earth - A mere man; of earthly original, has a spirit and speech answerable to it. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Is above all - This blessed bridegroom, who has descended from heaven, Joh 3:13, is above all, superior to Moses, the prophets, and me.
He that is of the earth - John himself, who was born in the common way of man.
Speaketh of the earth - Cannot speak of heavenly things as Christ can do; and only represents Divine matters by these earthly ordinances; for the spirit and meaning of which, you must all go to the Messiah himself. |
15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.