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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 3:31 The One who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. The One who comes from heaven is above all.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/3-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/43_Jhn_03_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 3:31 - John's Testimony about Jesus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The One who comes from above is above all. 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The one who comes from heaven is above all. <a href="/nlt/john/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. <a href="/esv/john/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. <a href="/bsb/john/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> The One who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. The One who comes from heaven is above all. <a href="/blb/john/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> The One coming from above is above all. The one being from the earth is from the earth, and speaks from the earth. The One coming from heaven is above all. <a href="/kjv/john/3.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/john/3.htm">New King James Version</a> He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. <a href="/nasb_/john/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “He who comes from above is above all; the one who is only from the earth is of the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. <a href="/nasb/john/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. <a href="/nasb77/john/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. <a href="/lsb/john/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. <a href="/amp/john/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “He who comes from [heaven] above is above all others; he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks [about things] of the earth [his viewpoint and experience are earthly]. He who comes from heaven is above all. <a href="/csb/john/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth is earthly and speaks in earthly terms. The one who comes from heaven is above all. <a href="/hcsb/john/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The One who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth is earthly and speaks in earthly terms. The One who comes from heaven is above all. <a href="/asv/john/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is of the earth, and of the earth he speaketh: he that cometh from heaven is above all. <a href="/cev/john/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> God's Son comes from heaven and is above all others. Everyone who comes from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all others. <a href="/erv/john/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is of the earth, and of the earth he speaketh: he that cometh from heaven is above all. <a href="/gwt/john/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "The person who comes from above is superior to everyone. I, a person from the earth, know nothing but what is on earth, and that's all I can talk about. The person who comes from heaven is superior to everyone <a href="/gnt/john/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> He who comes from above is greater than all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly matters, but he who comes from heaven is above all. <a href="/isv/john/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> The one who comes from above is superior to everything. The one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is superior to everything. <a href="/msb/john/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> The One who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. The One who comes from heaven is above all. <a href="/net/john/3.htm">NET Bible</a> The one who comes from above is superior to all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is superior to all. <a href="/nheb/john/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. <a href="/wbt/john/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/wey/john/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> He who comes from above is above all. He whose origin is from the earth is not only himself from the earth, his teaching also is from the earth. He who comes from Heaven is above all. <a href="/web/john/3.htm">World English Bible</a> “He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> He who is coming from above is above all; he who is from the earth, from the earth he is, and from the earth he speaks; He who is coming from Heaven is above all. <a href="/blb/john/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> The One coming from above is above all. The one being from the earth is from the earth, and speaks from the earth. The One coming from heaven is above all. <a href="/ylt/john/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> he who from above is coming is above all; he who is from the earth, from the earth he is, and from the earth he speaketh; he who from the heaven is coming is above all. <a href="/slt/john/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> He coming from above is above all, he being of the earth is of earth, and speaks of earth: he coming from heaven is above all.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> He that cometh from above, is above all. He that is of the earth, of the earth he is, and of the earth he speaketh. He that cometh from heaven, is above all. <a href="/cpdv/john/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> He who comes from above, is above everything. He who is from below, is of the earth, and he speaks about the earth. He who comes from heaven is above everything. <a href="/nabre/john/3.htm">New American Bible</a> The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven [is above all]. <a href="/nrsvce/john/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For he who has come from above is above all; and he who is of the earth is of the earth, and he speaks of earthly things; but he who has come from heaven is above all. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For he who came from above is higher than all, and he who is from Earth is from the ground, and speaks from the earth. He who has come from Heaven is higher than all.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> He that comes from above, is over all. He that is from the earth, is from the earth, and speaks from the earth. He that comes from heaven, is over all; <a href="/godbey/john/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> He that cometh from above is above all; <a href="/haweis/john/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> He that cometh from above is above all: he whose origin is from earth is of the earth, and speaketh of the earth: he who cometh from heaven is above all. <a href="/mace/john/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> but I must decline, he that cometh from above, is above all: he that is from the earth, is earthly, and his language is likewise earthly: he that cometh from heaven is above all. <a href="/wey/john/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> He who comes from above is above all. He whose origin is from the earth is not only himself from the earth, his teaching also is from the earth. He who comes from Heaven is above all. <a href="/worrell/john/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> He That cometh from above is above all; he that is of the earth is of the earth, and speaks of the earth; He that cometh from Heaven is above all. <a href="/worsley/john/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> He, that cometh from above, is above all: he that is of the earth, is earthly, and talketh like one of the earth: <a href="/parallel/john/3-31.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=859" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/3.htm">John's Testimony about Jesus</a> …30He must increase; I must decrease. 31<a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">The One who</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: erchomenos (V-PPM/P-NMS) -- To come, go. ">comes</a> <a href="/greek/509.htm" title="509: anōthen (Adv) -- From ano; from above; by analogy, from the first; by implication, anew.">from above</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/1883.htm" title="1883: epanō (Prep) -- From epi and ano; up above, i.e. Over or on.">above</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pantōn (Adj-GNP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">all.</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">The one who</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1093.htm" title="1093: gēs (N-GFS) -- Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.">earth</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">belongs</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">to</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1093.htm" title="1093: gēs (N-GFS) -- Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.">earth</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2980.htm" title="2980: lalei (V-PIA-3S) -- A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.">speaks as one</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1093.htm" title="1093: gēs (N-GFS) -- Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.">earth.</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">The One who</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: erchomenos (V-PPM/P-NMS) -- To come, go. ">comes</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3772.htm" title="3772: ouranou (N-GMS) -- Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.">heaven</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/1883.htm" title="1883: epanō (Prep) -- From epi and ano; up above, i.e. Over or on.">above</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pantōn (Adj-GNP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">all.</a> 32He testifies to what He has seen and heard, yet no one accepts His testimony.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/colossians/1-17.htm">Colossians 1:17-18</a> He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. / And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence. <a href="/john/8-23.htm">John 8:23</a> Then He told them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. <a href="/john/1-15.htm">John 1:15</a> John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’” <a href="/john/1-27.htm">John 1:27</a> He is the One who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” <a href="/john/1-30.htm">John 1:30</a> This is He of whom I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ <a href="/john/6-33.htm">John 6:33</a> For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” <a href="/john/6-38.htm">John 6:38</a> For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me. <a href="/john/8-42.htm">John 8:42</a> Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on My own, but He sent Me. <a href="/john/17-14.htm">John 17:14</a> I have given them Your word and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. <a href="/john/17-16.htm">John 17:16</a> They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-47.htm">1 Corinthians 15:47</a> The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. <a href="/ephesians/1-21.htm">Ephesians 1:21</a> far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. <a href="/philippians/2-9.htm">Philippians 2:9-11</a> Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. <a href="/hebrews/1-3.htm">Hebrews 1:3</a> The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. <a href="/hebrews/3-3.htm">Hebrews 3:3</a> For Jesus has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>He that comes from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth: he that comes from heaven is above all.that cometh.<a href="/john/3-13.htm">John 3:13</a> And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.<a href="/john/6-33.htm">John 6:33</a> For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.<a href="/john/8-23.htm">John 8:23</a> And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.is above.<a href="/john/1-15.htm">John 1:15,27,30</a> John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me… <a href="/john/5-21.htm">John 5:21-25</a> For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will… <a href="/matthew/28-18.htm">Matthew 28:18</a> And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.he that is.<a href="/john/3-12.htm">John 3:12</a> If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?<a href="/1_corinthians/15-47.htm">1 Corinthians 15:47,48</a> The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven… <a href="/hebrews/9-1.htm">Hebrews 9:1,9,10</a> Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary… he that cometh.<a href="/john/6-33.htm">John 6:33,51</a> For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world… <a href="/john/16-27.htm">John 16:27,28</a> For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/3-29.htm">Belongs</a> <a href="/john/3-12.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/john/3-12.htm">Earthly</a> <a href="/john/3-30.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/john/3-27.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/luke/20-7.htm">Origin</a> <a href="/john/2-14.htm">Others</a> <a href="/luke/6-45.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/luke/12-10.htm">Speaks</a> <a href="/john/2-22.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/john/3-12.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/8-35.htm">Belongs</a> <a href="/john/6-38.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/acts/20-24.htm">Earthly</a> <a href="/john/4-12.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/john/6-31.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/john/7-52.htm">Origin</a> <a href="/john/4-38.htm">Others</a> <a href="/john/3-34.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/john/3-34.htm">Speaks</a> <a href="/john/5-24.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/john/3-34.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">John 3</div>1. <a href="/john/3-1.htm">Jesus teaches Nicodemus the necessity of being born again,</a> 14. <a href="/john/3-14.htm">of faith in his death,</a> 16. <a href="/john/3-16.htm">the great love of God toward the world,</a> 18. <a href="/john/3-18.htm">and the condemnation for unbelief.</a> 22. <a href="/john/3-22.htm">Jesus baptizes in Judea.</a> 23. <a href="/john/3-23.htm">The baptism, witness, and doctrine of John concerning Jesus.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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This phrase emphasizes the divine origin and supreme authority of Jesus Christ. "Above" signifies His heavenly origin, contrasting with earthly origins. This aligns with <a href="/john/1.htm">John 1:1-14</a>, where Jesus is described as the Word who was with God and was God, highlighting His preexistence and divinity. The phrase "above all" underscores His sovereignty over all creation, as seen in <a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Colossians 1:16-17</a>, where all things are created through Him and for Him. This also fulfills Old Testament prophecies, such as <a href="/isaiah/9-6.htm">Isaiah 9:6</a>, which speaks of a divine ruler.The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. This refers to human limitations and the natural, finite perspective of earthly beings. In contrast to Jesus, who is from above, those from the earth have a limited understanding and authority. This can be seen in the context of John the Baptist, who, despite being a great prophet, acknowledges his earthly origin and limitations in <a href="/john/3-30.htm">John 3:30</a>. The phrase highlights the distinction between divine revelation and human wisdom, as echoed in <a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a>, where the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God.The One who comes from heaven is above all. Reiterating the supremacy of Jesus, this phrase confirms His heavenly origin and ultimate authority. It reflects the consistent theme in John's Gospel of Jesus as the sent one from the Father, as seen in <a href="/john/6-38.htm">John 6:38</a>, where Jesus states He came down from heaven to do the will of the Father. This also connects to <a href="/daniel/7-13.htm">Daniel 7:13-14</a>, where the Son of Man is given dominion and glory, indicating His divine kingship. The repetition of "above all" emphasizes His unmatched authority and the fulfillment of His role as the mediator between God and humanity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> Referred to as "The One who comes from above," emphasizing His divine origin and authority. 2. <a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a> The speaker in this context, contrasting his earthly ministry with the heavenly origin of Jesus. 3. <a href="/topical/h/heaven.htm">Heaven</a> The place from which Jesus originates, signifying His divine nature and authority. 4. <a href="/topical/e/earth.htm">Earth</a> Represents the human realm, limited in understanding and authority compared to the divine. 5. <a href="/topical/j/judea.htm">Judea</a> The region where John the Baptist was ministering and where this discourse takes place.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_authority_of_christ.htm">Divine Authority of Christ</a> Recognize and submit to the authority of Jesus, who is above all earthly powers and wisdom. <a href="/topical/h/heavenly_perspective.htm">Heavenly Perspective</a> Seek to align your thoughts and actions with the perspective of Christ, who comes from above, rather than being limited by earthly views. <a href="/topical/h/humility_in_ministry.htm">Humility in Ministry</a> Like John the Baptist, acknowledge our earthly limitations and point others to the supremacy of Christ. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_vs._temporal.htm">Eternal vs. Temporal</a> Focus on eternal truths and values that come from above, rather than being consumed by temporary, earthly concerns. <a href="/topical/w/witnessing_with_confidence.htm">Witnessing with Confidence</a> Share the gospel with confidence, knowing that the message of Christ carries divine authority and power.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 3</a> <a href="/q/why_should_we_believe_jesus_was_god.htm">Why should we believe Jesus was God?</a> <a href="/q/is_sin_contrary_to_god's_will.htm">Is sin contrary to God's will?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_origin_of_sin.htm">What is the origin of sin?</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_say_in_john_5_31,_8_14.htm">In the Gospel of John, what did Jesus say about bearing his own witness in John 5:31 and John 8:14?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) He that cometh from above.--Comp. Note on <a href="/john/3-13.htm" title="And no man has ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.">John 3:13</a>, and <a href="/john/8-23.htm" title="And he said to them, You are from beneath; I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world.">John 8:23</a>. It is expressed in another form in the last clause of the verse.Is above all--i.e., above all persons, and, as the context limits the sense, specially above all teachers.He that is of the earth is earthly.--This is the right sense, but the force of the words is lessened by not preserving the three-fold "of the earth" which is in the Greek. "He who is of the earth, of the earth he is, and of the earth he speaketh." The first marks out the Baptist's origin, as opposed to Him that cometh from above; the second asserts that the nature is, in accord with this origin, human and limited in faculty, as opposed to that of Him who is above all; the third declares that his teaching is from the standpoint of human nature and limited faculty, embracing indeed divine subjects and receiving divine revelation (<a href="/john/1-33.htm" title="And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said to me, On whom you shall see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizes with the Holy Ghost.">John 1:33</a>), but having this treasure in earthen vessels, imperfectly realising it, and imperfectly teaching it (<a href="/john/3-33.htm" title="He that has received his testimony has set to his seal that God is true.">John 3:33</a>). Then the contrast carries him away from this thought of self, in all its weakness, to dwell on the fulness of the teaching of the perfect Teacher, and he emphatically repeats, with the change of words suggested by "of the earth," what he has before said of it, "He that cometh from heaven is above all."This repetition is the answer to the jealousy of his disciples, who wished to place him in a position of rivalry with Jesus. It is the answer to all self-assertion on the part of human teachers. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 31-36. - A large number of commentators of all schools hold that the remaining verses of this chapter give us the reflections of the evangelist rather than a continuous discourse of the Baptist. Strauss, Weisse, Reuss, and Bretschneider, who make the supposed proof of this Johannine appendix to the Baptist's words an evidence of inhistoricity throughout the Gospel, and the school of Baur, which finds in the entire representation simply an artistic endeavour on the part of a second century falsarius to show that John's disciples were absorbed into the Catholic Church, are joined here by Bengel, De Wette, Westcott, Moulton, and Edersheim, who see no difficulty in the introduction of these sentiments, which correspond with those of the Epistles of John, as an appendix of the evangelist, and not a reminiscence of the teaching of the Baptist. The reasons in favour of this view are that the ideas and phraseology are said to be far in advance of John the Baptist's theological position, and certainly reflect the later teaching of the Master. We will consider some of these seriatim, but cannot accept the argument as final. Hengstenberg, Meyer, Godet, Alford, Lange, even Renan, do not yield to the positions thus assumed, nor will they admit any word of the Baptist here uttered to be inconsistent with the known doctrine of the forerunner; whereas they urge that the simple communication to John of the substance of our Lord's discourse to Nicodemus is adequate explanation of the similarities between the two. It may be admitted that some subjective colouring from the apostle's own mind may have been transfused by him into his report of both discourses, which we cannot doubt (whatever may be said about the Galilaean ministry) were conducted in the Aramaic tongue. Weiss makes the pertinent suggestion that we cannot think that John the son of Zebedee beard the final testimony of the Baptist. It may easily have been communicated to the circle around Jesus by Andrew and some other disciple of the two masters. This may account for the appearance throughout the discourse of more Johannine language than usual. If we cannot, or may not, make these simple hypotheses, then we too should be disposed to think that the subjective element had so predominated as almost to hide the historic quality of the whole of this swanlike song of the Old Testament dispensation. But the hypotheses seem to be highly probable and extremely natural, and the coherence of the passage with what has gone before to be obvious and complete. The discourse contrasts the entire prophetic ministry with that of the Son of God (vers. 31, 32), which then sets forth the menus of appropriating the Divine gift of the Son of God (vers. 33-35), and predicts the awful issues of rejecting the supreme claims of the Divine Lord (ver. 36). The teaching is in accord with Old Testament doctrine, illumined, as we learn that John's was, by special visions, and by communications to him of the significance of the Lord's uttered words. It is quite irrelevant, if not absurd, to say that such a testimony of the forerunner makes the cotinuance or spread of John's teaching and baptism impossible; for (1) the words were obviously addressed to a small group only of the many thousands who heard John preach, and (2) it does not follow that all those who heard these memorable words should have deserted their first master, even in deference to his own advice. The words that follow, whether a simple record of John's discourse or one deeply coloured by the subjectivity of the evangelist, are as follows: - Verse 31. - He that is coming from above is above all. Now, it is obvious that Jesus had spoken of the Son of man as having come down from heaven (ver. 13), and of his own power to speak of heavenly things (i.e. of causes and measures of Divine operations); and he contrasts these with the "earthly things" of which he too had spoken - "earthly" they were because they dealt with experiences felt and witnessed and realized on earth. Now, John is represented, on the occasion of the baptism of our Lord, as being convinced that Jesus was "the Son of God," and that his existence was prior to his own, and that his rank in the universe was one utterly transcending his own. These statements have been already put into the lips of John by the fourth evangelist, and are scarcely exceeded, if at all, by the utterance before us. We find a bold contrast between the Logos himself and the witness to the manifested Logos. He who cometh from above, being before John, and being, therefore, in his essential dignity, superior to him, is above all, and therefore above him. He that is, in his origin and the entire self-realization of his life, from the earth, and not incarnate Logos, is of the earth in quality, and speaketh of the earth (observe, not κόσμος, but γῆ is here used). The experiences to which he refers are enacted on the earth, and he has no power to go back and heavenwards for the full explanation of them. Higher than heaven are the thoughts and revelations of the Son of God. He can unveil the heart of the eternal Father. Christ can link his own work with the ministry of the mightiest of the Heaven-sent messengers; but John starts from the consciousness, the perils, the self-deceptions and contrition of man. He that cometh out of heaven is above all. This great utterance is repeated, and it involves little more than what John had implied to the Sanhedrin (<a href="/john/1-30.htm">John 1:30-34</a>). <a href="/commentaries/john/3-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>The [One who] Ὁ (Ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. comes ἐρχόμενος (erchomenos) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. from above ἄνωθεν (anōthen) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_509.htm">Strong's 509: </a> From ano; from above; by analogy, from the first; by implication, anew. is ἐστίν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. above ἐπάνω (epanō) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1883.htm">Strong's 1883: </a> From epi and ano; up above, i.e. Over or on. all. πάντων (pantōn) Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. The [one who] ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. is ὢν (ōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. from ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. earth γῆς (gēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1093.htm">Strong's 1093: </a> Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe. belongs ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. to ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. earth γῆς (gēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1093.htm">Strong's 1093: </a> Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. speaks [as one] λαλεῖ (lalei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2980.htm">Strong's 2980: </a> A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words. from ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. earth. γῆς (gēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1093.htm">Strong's 1093: </a> Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe. The [One who] ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. comes ἐρχόμενος (erchomenos) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. from ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. heaven οὐρανοῦ (ouranou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel. is ἐστίν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. above ἐπάνω (epanō) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1883.htm">Strong's 1883: </a> From epi and ano; up above, i.e. Over or on. all. πάντων (pantōn) Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/3-31.htm">John 3:31 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/3-31.htm">John 3:31 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/3-31.htm">John 3:31 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/3-31.htm">John 3:31 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/3-31.htm">John 3:31 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/3-31.htm">John 3:31 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/3-31.htm">John 3:31 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/3-31.htm">John 3:31 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/3-31.htm">John 3:31 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/3-31.htm">John 3:31 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/3-31.htm">NT Gospels: John 3:31 He who comes from above is above (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/3-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 3:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 3:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/3-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 3:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 3:32" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>