John 3
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
For God so loved, &c.--What proclamation of the Gospel has been so oft on the lips of missionaries and preachers in every age since it was first uttered? What has sent such thrilling sensations through millions of mankind? What has been honored to bring such multitudes to the feet of Christ? What to kindle in the cold and selfish breasts of mortals the fires of self-sacrificing love to mankind, as these words of transparent simplicity, yet overpowering majesty? The picture embraces several distinct compartments: "THE WORLD"--in its widest sense--ready "to perish"; the immense "LOVE OF GOD" to that perishing world, measurable only, and conceivable only, by the gift which it drew forth from Him; THE GIFT itself--"He so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son," or, in the language of Paul, "spared not His own Son" (Rom 8:32), or in that addressed to Abraham when ready to offer Isaac on the altar, "withheld not His Son, His only Son, whom He loved" (Gen 22:16); the FRUIT of this stupendous gift--not only deliverance from impending "perdition," but the bestowal of everlasting life; the MODE in which all takes effect--by "believing" on the Son. How would Nicodemus' narrow Judaism become invisible in the blaze of this Sun of righteousness seen rising on "the world" with healing in His wings! (Mal 4:2).
Open source ↗He must increase,.... Not in stature of body, or in wisdom and understanding of mind, as man, he being come to maturity in these things already; but in fame, credit, and reputation among men; as he afterwards did in the land of Judea, by reason of his miracles and doctrines; and after that among the Gentiles, through the publication of his Gospel; and will more and more in the latter day, when he, and he alone, shall be exalted: and he must increase in the ministry of his word, which was published by him, and his disciples, throughout all the cities of Israel; and which, after his resurrection and ascension, grew and increased mightily, notwithstanding the opposition made unto it both by their civil and ecclesiastical rulers; and which, by the means of his apostles, was spread throughout the Gentile world, and will hereafter cover the earth, as the waters do the sea: and also in his kingdom and interest, which at first were very small, like a grain of mustard seed, or like a little stone cut out of the mountain without hands; but in process of time grew exceedingly, and will, ere long, till the face of the whole earth; for the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth; and of the increase of it there shall be no end. And so likewise in the number of his followers, which at first were but few in Judea, but afterwards greatly increased, and especially among the Gentiles; and will be very numerous in the latter day glory, when the nation of the Jews will be born at once, and the fulness and forces of the Gentiles are brought in: but I must decrease; as he did in his esteem among the people; see Joh 5:3; and in his work and office, which were now come…
Open source ↗In this chapter we have, I. Christ's discourse with Nicodemus, a Pharisee, concerning the great mysteries of the gospel, in which he here privately instructs him (v. 1-21). II. John Baptist's discourse with his disciples concerning Christ, upon occasion of his coming into the neighbourhood where John was (Joh 3:22-36), in which he fairly and faithfully resigns all his honour and interest to him.
Open source ↗3:3 born again: Or born from above. John’s expression “from above” (3:31; 19:11) means “from God.” To experience spiritual rebirth, a person must be completely renewed through God’s power. • Nicodemus interpreted Jesus’ words physically; he demonstrated that those in darkness, who do not have spiritual rebirth, cannot understand Jesus or other “heavenly things” (3:12). Jesus sometimes used ironic misunderstanding as a teaching strategy.
Open source ↗3:14-15 Jesus was lifted up on the cross so that all people could understand the way of salvation, look to him in faith, and have eternal life.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrínomai, G611) — to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H06030)… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀμήν (amḗn, G281) — properly, firm, i.e. (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… σοί (soí, G4671) — to thee ἐὰν μή (eàn mḗ, G3362) — if not, i.e. unless τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object γεννάω (gennáō, G1080) — to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to… ἄνωθεν (ánōthen, G509) — from above; by analogy, from the first; by implication, anew δύναμαι (dýnamai, G1410) — to be able or possible οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very οὕτω (hoútō, G3779) — in this way (referring to what precedes or follows) ἀγαπάω (agapáō, G25) — to love (in a social or moral sense) κόσμος (kósmos, G2889) — orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow… ὥστε (hṓste, G5620) — so too, i.e. thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow) δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… μονογενής (monogenḗs, G3439) — only-born, i.e. sole υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole πιστεύω (pisteúō, G4100) — to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)…
Open source ↗ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos, G1565) — that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed δεῖ (deî, G1163) — also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is… αὐξάνω (auxánō, G837) — to grow ("wax"), i.e. enlarge (literal or figurative, active or passive) δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἐμέ (emé, G1691) — me ἐλαττόω (elattóō, G1642) — to lessen (in rank or influence)
Open source ↗From the web
What trusted teachers and preachers say about this passage, from around the web.
ccel.org
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Open source ↗desiringgod.org
Open source ↗spurgeon.org
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Open source ↗Cross-references
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Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.
“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and you do not understand these things?
Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,