John 3:12
Verse
Context
Jesus and Nicodemus
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.12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man.
Sermons
Ken Ham
T. Austin-Sparks
William KellySummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
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, practised every day in the initiation of proselytes, how will you understand such heavenly things as the initiation of my disciples by the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire from heaven, if I should proceed farther on the subject?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
earthly things--such as regeneration, the gate of entrance to the kingdom of God on earth, and which Nicodemus should have understood better, as a truth even of that more earthly economy to which he belonged. 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.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And no man hath ascended into heaven,.... Though Enoch and Elias had, yet not by their own power, nor in the sense our Lord designs; whose meaning is, that no man had, or could go up to heaven, to bring from thence the knowledge of divine and heavenly things; in which sense the phrase is used in Deu 30:12, and which may be illustrated by Joh 1:18; wherefore inasmuch as Nicodemus had acknowledged Christ to he a teacher come from God, our Lord, would have him know, that he was the only teacher of heavenly things, as being the only person that had been in heaven, and in the bosom of the Father; and therefore, if he, and the rest of the Jews, did not receive instructions from him, they must for ever remain ignorant; for there never had been, nor was, nor could be, any mere man that could go up to heaven, and learn the mysteries of God, and of the kingdom of heaven, and return and instruct men in them: but he that came down from heaven; meaning himself, who is the Lord from heaven, and came from thence to do the will of God by preaching the Gospel, working miracles, obeying the law, and suffering death in the room of his people, and thereby obtaining eternal redemption for them. Not that he brought down from heaven with him, either the whole of his human nature, or a part of it; either an human soul, or an human body; nor did he descend locally, by change of place, he being God omnipresent, infinite and immense, but by assumption of the human nature into union with his divine person: even the son of man which is in heaven; at the same time he was then on earth: not that he was in heaven in his human nature, and as he was the son of man; but in his divine nature, as he was the Son of God; see Joh 1:18; though this is predicated of his person, as denominated from the human nature, which was proper to him only in his divine nature; for such is omnipresence, or to be in heaven and earth at the same time: just as on the other hand God is said to purchase the church with his blood, and the Lord of glory is said to be crucified, Act 20:28, where those things are spoken of Christ, as denominated from his divine nature, which were proper only to his human nature; and is what divines call a communication of idioms or properties; and which will serve as a key to open all such passages of Scripture: and now as a proof of our Lord's having been in heaven, and of his being a teacher come from God, and such an one as never was, or can be, he opens and explains a type respecting himself, in the following verse.
John 3:12
Jesus and Nicodemus
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.12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Creation and the Scoffer!
By Ken Ham2.9K35:59ScoffingGEN 1:1MAT 6:33JHN 3:12In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of teaching children the truth of the Bible. They mention a missionary witnessing tool, National Geographic, and encourage parents to subscribe to a magazine that offers a free CD of songs based on their lectures. The speaker also mentions a video called "The Genesis Solution" that was made in Grace Community Church 14 years ago and has since become a best-selling video on the importance of the book of Genesis. They highlight the connection between the message of salvation and the history presented in Genesis. The speaker also mentions the ministry's website, answersingenesis.org, where resources and information can be found, including recordings of the talks from the seminar. They discuss the importance of equipping oneself with resources for evangelism and mention children's books and witnessing booklets as useful tools.
The Appearing of Resurrection and the Giving of Power
By Newman Sze8201:22:11MAT 28:1MAT 28:19MRK 16:15LUK 24:44JHN 20:19JHN 21:25In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the 40 days that Jesus spent on earth after His resurrection. He explains that during this time, Jesus trained His disciples to shift their focus from external things to internal revelation, from the flesh to the Holy Spirit, and from the law to life. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about a turbulent airplane ride to illustrate the need for Christians to rise above fear and rely on the Holy Spirit. He concludes by urging the audience to prioritize their personal encounter with the Lord and the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Abel and the Law of Life
By T. Austin-Sparks0GEN 4:3JHN 3:12JHN 4:23JHN 7:44ACT 7:52ROM 8:2T. Austin-Sparks delves into the conflict between the soul and the spirit, emphasizing the importance of walking in the spirit rather than in the flesh or soul. He draws parallels between Cain and Abel, highlighting the difference between a life governed by self-will and a life surrendered to God. The sermon explores the necessity of enlightenment to discern the conflict within oneself, where the soul draws everything to itself, leading to death, while the spirit is always directed towards God, resulting in true life. T. Austin-Sparks urges believers to seek a life in God, not in self, to avoid being deceived by the false natural life.
The Appearing and Kingdom of the Lord Jesus.
By William Kelly0EZK 43:1MAT 19:28JHN 3:12JHN 17:22ROM 8:19EPH 1:10COL 1:202PE 1:16REV 20:6REV 21:9William Kelly preaches about the distinct proof that the appearing of the Lord Jesus will introduce His kingdom over the earth, emphasizing the immense importance of His coming in inaugurating a change for the world, restoring all things and putting down every opposing influence. The sermon highlights the need for repentance and conversion, especially for Israel, as a condition for the great revolution yet to take place. It contrasts the present state of the Church with the future millennial age, where earthly and heavenly elements will be united under the Lord Jesus in visible glory, showcasing a harmonious blending of the earthly with the heavenly.
The Things Which God Has Prepared for Those Who Love Him
By J.C. Philpot0PRO 2:3PRO 20:27JHN 3:121CO 2:9EPH 3:18J.C. Philpot preaches about the deep mysteries of God's divine truth, emphasizing that the things prepared for those who love God are beyond human comprehension and can only be revealed by the Spirit. He highlights the ignorance and insensitivity of many towards eternity, contrasting the infidel class, outwardly religious by circumstance, and those with a form of godliness but denying its power. Philpot delves into the character of those who love God, the prepared blessings like redemption and justification, the revelation of Christ and heavenly glory, and the Spirit's search into the deep things of God in a believer's heart.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
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, practised every day in the initiation of proselytes, how will you understand such heavenly things as the initiation of my disciples by the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire from heaven, if I should proceed farther on the subject?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
earthly things--such as regeneration, the gate of entrance to the kingdom of God on earth, and which Nicodemus should have understood better, as a truth even of that more earthly economy to which he belonged. 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.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And no man hath ascended into heaven,.... Though Enoch and Elias had, yet not by their own power, nor in the sense our Lord designs; whose meaning is, that no man had, or could go up to heaven, to bring from thence the knowledge of divine and heavenly things; in which sense the phrase is used in Deu 30:12, and which may be illustrated by Joh 1:18; wherefore inasmuch as Nicodemus had acknowledged Christ to he a teacher come from God, our Lord, would have him know, that he was the only teacher of heavenly things, as being the only person that had been in heaven, and in the bosom of the Father; and therefore, if he, and the rest of the Jews, did not receive instructions from him, they must for ever remain ignorant; for there never had been, nor was, nor could be, any mere man that could go up to heaven, and learn the mysteries of God, and of the kingdom of heaven, and return and instruct men in them: but he that came down from heaven; meaning himself, who is the Lord from heaven, and came from thence to do the will of God by preaching the Gospel, working miracles, obeying the law, and suffering death in the room of his people, and thereby obtaining eternal redemption for them. Not that he brought down from heaven with him, either the whole of his human nature, or a part of it; either an human soul, or an human body; nor did he descend locally, by change of place, he being God omnipresent, infinite and immense, but by assumption of the human nature into union with his divine person: even the son of man which is in heaven; at the same time he was then on earth: not that he was in heaven in his human nature, and as he was the son of man; but in his divine nature, as he was the Son of God; see Joh 1:18; though this is predicated of his person, as denominated from the human nature, which was proper to him only in his divine nature; for such is omnipresence, or to be in heaven and earth at the same time: just as on the other hand God is said to purchase the church with his blood, and the Lord of glory is said to be crucified, Act 20:28, where those things are spoken of Christ, as denominated from his divine nature, which were proper only to his human nature; and is what divines call a communication of idioms or properties; and which will serve as a key to open all such passages of Scripture: and now as a proof of our Lord's having been in heaven, and of his being a teacher come from God, and such an one as never was, or can be, he opens and explains a type respecting himself, in the following verse.