John 3:11

Verse

Truly, truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, and yet you people do not accept our testimony.

American Standard Version (1901)

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that which we know, and bear witness of that which we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

Bible in Basic English

Truly, I say to you, We say that of which we have knowledge; we give witness of what we have seen; and you do not take our witness to be true.

Free Bible Version

“I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know and give evidence regarding what we have seen, but you refuse to accept our testimony.

Geneva Bible 1599

Verely, verely I say vnto thee, wee speake that we know, and testifie that we haue seene: but yee receiue not our witnesse.

King James (Authorized) Version

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

One Unity Resource Bible

Most certainly I tell you, we speak that which we know, and testify of that which we have seen, and you don’t receive our witness.

Plain English Version

Listen, I am telling you straight, I talk about the things I know, and about the things I have seen, but you don’t take any notice of what I tell you.

Translation for Translators

Listen to this carefully: ◄My disciples and I/I► tell you (pl) about the things that my disciples and I have seen and know are true, but you (pl) do not admit that what my disciples and I are saying is true.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak what we know, and we testify about what we have seen. Yet you do not accept our testimony.

Noah Webster Bible

Verily, verily, I say to thee, We speak what we know, and testify what we have seen; and ye receive not our testimony.

World English Bible

Most certainly I tell you, we speak that which we know and testify of that which we have seen, and you don’t receive our witness.

Young's Literal Translation

'Verily, verily, I say to thee — What we have known we speak, and what we have seen we testify, and our testimony ye do not receive;

Context

Jesus and Nicodemus

¹⁰“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and you do not understand these things?¹¹Truly, truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, and yet you people do not accept our testimony.

Sermons

The Appearing of Resurrection and the Giving of Power

Newman Sze

820

Summary

In this verse, Jesus addresses Nicodemus, expressing surprise that a teacher of the law like him does not understand the concept of being born again. Jesus highlights the necessity of spiritual rebirth for entering the kingdom of God, emphasizing the importance of faith and transformation through the Holy Spirit. This interaction reveals Jesus' role as the ultimate authority on matters of salvation and the spiritual realm, inviting Nicodemus and all believers to seek a deeper understanding of God's redemptive plan.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

We speak that we do know - I and my disciples do not profess to teach a religion which we do not understand, nor exemplify in our conduct. A strong but delicate reproof to Nicodemus, who, though a master of Israel, did not understand the very rudiments of the doctrine of salvation. He was ignorant of the nature of the new birth. How wretched is the lot of that minister, who, while he professes to recommend the salvation of God to others, is all the while dealing in the meagre, unfruitful traffic of an unfelt truth! Let such either acquire the knowledge of the grace of God themselves, or cease to proclaim it. Ye receive not our witness - It was deemed criminal among the Jews to question or depart from the authority of their teachers. Nicodemus grants that our Lord is a teacher come from God, and yet scruples to receive his testimony relative to the new birth, and the spiritual nature of the Messiah's kingdom.