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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 3:10 "You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and you do not understand these things?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/3-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/43_Jhn_03_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 3:10 - Jesus and Nicodemus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You are Israel's teacher, said Jesus, and you do not understand these things?" /><script type="application/javascript" 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class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/john/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220You are Israel&#8217s teacher,&#8221 said Jesus, &#8220and do you not understand these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and you do not understand these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Jesus answered and said to him, "You are the teacher of Israel, and do you not know these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel, and <i>yet</i> you do not understand these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Jesus answered and said to him, &#8220Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not understand these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “You are the [great and well-known] teacher of Israel, and yet you do not know <i>nor</i> understand these things [from Scripture]?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Are you a teacher of Israel and don’t know these things? ” Jesus replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220Are you a teacher of Israel and don&#8217t know these things?&#8221 Jesus replied. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou the teacher of Israel, and understandest not these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jesus replied: How can you be a teacher of Israel and not know these things? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou the teacher of Israel, and understandest not these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jesus told Nicodemus, "You're a well-known teacher of Israel. Can't you understand this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Jesus answered, "You are a great teacher in Israel, and you don't know this? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Jesus answered him, "You're the teacher of Israel, and you can't understand this? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?You are Israel?s teacher,? said Jesus, ?and you do not understand these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Jesus answered, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you don't understand these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not understand these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Jesus answered and said to him, Art thou a teacher of Israel, and knowest not these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Are you," replied Jesus, "'the Teacher of Israel,' and yet do you not understand these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and don’t understand these things? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not know these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Jesus answered and said to him, "You are the teacher of Israel, and do you not know these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Jesus answered and said to him, 'Thou art the teacher of Israel -- and these things thou dost not know!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Jesus answered and said to him, Art thou a teacher of Israel, and knowest not these?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Jesus answered, and said to him: Art thou a master in Israel, and knowest not these things? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Jesus responded and said to him: “You are a teacher in Israel, and you are ignorant of these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Jesus answered and said to, You are a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Yeshua answered and said to him: “You are the Teacher of Israel and you do not know these things?<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Jesus answered and said to him: Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not understand these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Jesus responded and said to him, <FR>Art thou a teacher of Israel and knowest not these things?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Jesus answered and said to him, Art thou a teacher of Israel, and knowest not these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />Jesus answered him, are you a doctor in Israel, and not know these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Are you," replied Jesus, "'the Teacher of Israel,' and yet do you not understand these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Jesus answered, and said to him, <FR>"Are you a teacher of Israel, and understand not these things?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Jesus answered and said unto him, <FR>Art thou a teacher of Israel and knowest not these <Fr><i>things?</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/3-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=674" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/3.htm">Jesus and Nicodemus</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">9</span>“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: Sy (PPro-N2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">“You</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ei (V-PIA-2S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">are</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/2474.htm" title="2474: Israēl (N-GMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants.">Israel’s</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."></a> <a href="/greek/1320.htm" title="1320: didaskalos (N-NMS) -- A teacher, master. From didasko; an instructor.">teacher,” </a> <a href="/greek/611.htm" title="611: Apekrithē (V-AIP-3S) -- From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.">said</a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">“and</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/1097.htm" title="1097: ginōskeis (V-PIA-2S) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to know in a great variety of applications and with many implications.">you do not understand</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: tauta (DPro-ANP) -- This; he, she, it. ">these things?</a> </span> <span class="reftext">11</span>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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/34-2.htm">Ezekiel 34:2-4</a></span><br />“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? / You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock. / You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1-2</a></span><br />“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. / Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10-11</a></span><br />Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. / Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a></span><br />My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/2-7.htm">Malachi 2:7-8</a></span><br />For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts. / But you have departed from the way, and your instruction has caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">Matthew 23:13-15</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. / Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. / Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You traverse land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a></span><br />Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-52.htm">Luke 11:52</a></span><br />Woe to you experts in the law! For you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-17.htm">Romans 2:17-24</a></span><br />Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; / if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; / if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a></span><br />The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/5-12.htm">Hebrews 5:12</a></span><br />Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/1-7.htm">1 Timothy 1:7</a></span><br />They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-7.htm">2 Timothy 3:7</a></span><br />who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-27.htm">Acts 13:27</a></span><br />The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-10.htm">Isaiah 29:10-14</a></span><br />For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers. / And the entire vision will be to you like the words sealed in a scroll. If it is handed to someone to read, he will say, “I cannot, because it is sealed.” / Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, “I cannot read.” ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Jesus answered and said to him, Are you a master of Israel, and know not these things?</p><p class="hdg">Art.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/9-16.htm">Isaiah 9:16</a></b></br> For the leaders of this people cause <i>them</i> to err; and <i>they that are</i> led of them <i>are</i> destroyed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/29-10.htm">Isaiah 29:10-12</a></b></br> For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10</a></b></br> His watchmen <i>are</i> blind: they are all ignorant, they <i>are</i> all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.</p><p class="hdg">and knowest.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/10-16.htm">Deuteronomy 10:16</a></b></br> Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/30-6.htm">Deuteronomy 30:6</a></b></br> And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/29-19.htm">1 Chronicles 29:19</a></b></br> And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all <i>these things</i>, and to build the palace, <i>for</i> the which I have made provision.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/1-49.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/john/1-49.htm">Israel's</a> <a href="/john/3-5.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/2-9.htm">Master</a> <a href="/john/3-2.htm">Teacher</a> <a href="/luke/24-45.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-15.htm">Understandest</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/12-13.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-12.htm">Israel's</a> <a href="/john/3-22.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/4-1.htm">Master</a> <a href="/john/7-31.htm">Teacher</a> <a href="/john/7-49.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/acts/8-30.htm">Understandest</a><div class="vheading2">John 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/3-1.htm">Jesus teaches Nicodemus the necessity of being born again,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/3-14.htm">of faith in his death,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/3-16.htm">the great love of God toward the world,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/3-18.htm">and the condemnation for unbelief.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/3-22.htm">Jesus baptizes in Judea.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/3-23.htm">The baptism, witness, and doctrine of John concerning Jesus.</a></span><br></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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As a teacher of Israel, Nicodemus would have been well-versed in the Hebrew Scriptures, including the Law and the Prophets. His role would have involved interpreting the Scriptures and teaching them to the people. This highlights the expectation that he should have a deep understanding of spiritual matters. The title "teacher" suggests a position of authority and respect within Jewish society, emphasizing the responsibility to guide others in spiritual truths.<p><b>said Jesus,</b><br>Jesus, addressing Nicodemus directly, emphasizes His role as a teacher and prophet, often challenging the established religious norms. Jesus frequently engaged with religious leaders, offering new insights into the Scriptures and the Kingdom of God. His teachings often fulfilled Old Testament prophecies and revealed deeper spiritual truths. Jesus' authority in teaching is recognized throughout the Gospels, as He often spoke with wisdom and understanding that surpassed that of the religious leaders of His time.<p><b>and you do not understand these things?</b><br>This question underscores the disconnect between Nicodemus's knowledge of the Scriptures and his understanding of spiritual truths. "These things" refer to the concepts Jesus had been discussing, such as being "born again" and the work of the Spirit. The expectation was that a teacher of Israel should comprehend these spiritual realities, as they are rooted in the Old Testament. For example, passages like <a href="/ezekiel/36-25.htm">Ezekiel 36:25-27</a> speak of a new heart and spirit, which align with the concept of spiritual rebirth. This question challenges Nicodemus to move beyond a literal interpretation of the Scriptures to grasp the deeper, spiritual meanings that Jesus was revealing.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>The central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, who is having a conversation with Nicodemus in this passage.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/n/nicodemus.htm">Nicodemus</a></b><br>A Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council, who comes to Jesus by night seeking understanding.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation chosen by God, representing the people to whom Nicodemus is a teacher.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The likely setting of this conversation, as it is where Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin, would be based.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sanhedrin.htm">The Sanhedrin</a></b><br>The Jewish ruling council, of which Nicodemus is a part, responsible for religious and legal matters in Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_responsibility_of_teachers.htm">The Responsibility of Teachers</a></b><br>As a teacher of Israel, Nicodemus is expected to understand spiritual truths. This highlights the responsibility of spiritual leaders to seek and impart deep understanding of God's Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_understanding.htm">Spiritual Understanding</a></b><br>True understanding of spiritual matters comes from God. Like Nicodemus, we must approach Jesus with humility and a willingness to learn.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_necessity_of_new_birth.htm">The Necessity of New Birth</a></b><br>Jesus emphasizes the need to be born again, which is a spiritual transformation that cannot be comprehended through human wisdom alone.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>Understanding spiritual truths requires the work of the Holy Spirit, who enlightens and guides believers into all truth.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_being_spiritually_lost.htm">Is Jesus a Lord, Liar, Lunatic, Legend, or Guru?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'falling_away'_mean.htm">What does 'falling away' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_jesus'_religious_identity.htm">What is Jesus' religious identity?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_2_peter_2_20-22_affect_'once_saved'.htm">2 Peter 2:20-22 implies believers can fall away; how does this align with the doctrine of 'once saved, always saved'?</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>(10) <span class= "bld">Art thou a master of Israel</span>?--Better, <span class= "ital">Art thou the teacher of Israel?</span> The article is emphatic, and points to the position of Nicodemus as a teacher of repute--"the well-known teacher;" or possibly it is to be understood of the Sanhedrin as represented by him--"Is this the teaching of Israel?" There is something of just indignation here, as everywhere when the words of Jesus Christ are addressed to the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. "You who teach others, have you need to learn the very first lessons of true religion? You who claim to loose and bind men, and place heavy burdens on them which they cannot bear, are you without the simplest real knowledge of what God is, or of what man is? Do teachers of Israel know not these things when they lie beneath every page of the Old Testament Scriptures?"<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Jesus answered and said to him, Art thou the teacher of Israel, and perceivest thou not these things?</span> The term "Israel" is used four times by John (<a href="/john/1-31.htm">John 1:31, 49</a>; <a href="/john/12-13.htm">John 12:13</a>; and here). In each place the high dignity, calling, and glory of the nation chosen for the loftiest privilege and destiny are involved. Notice the article, "the Israel" of God. The article before <span class="greek">διδάσκαλος</span> gives a high distinction to Nicodemus. Schottgen and Lucke suppose some special office to be here referred to, either the president of the Sanhedrin, or the <span class="accented">hakim</span>, or <span class="accented">chakam</span>, "the wise man," who sat on his left in the public sessions, or the "father of the house of judgment," who sat on his right; but it may simply mean the teacher of Israel, who has come to me in representative fashion, and who is reminded that he should have been more intimately acquainted with the teaching of his own sacred books (Farrar, 'Life of Christ,' p. 153). Without doubt, the fact of human corruption, and the power of the Spirit of God to renovate, to change utterly down to the very core and heart of human nature, is a great dogma of the Old Testament (cf. <a href="/deuteronomy/10-16.htm">Deuteronomy 10:16</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/30-6.htm">Deuteronomy 30:6</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/10-9.htm">1 Samuel 10:9</a>, where God gave Saul another heart; <a href="/1_samuel/16-13.htm">1 Samuel 16:13</a>, the effect upon David; David's own prayer, <a href="/psalms/51-10.htm">Psalm 51:10</a>; and the great promises of God by <a href="/ezekiel/11-19.htm">Ezekiel 11:19</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/18-31.htm">Ezekiel 18:31</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/4-4.htm">Jeremiah 4:4</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/31-33.htm">Jeremiah 31:33</a>). Nicodemus, an illustrious man, a teacher of ethers, presumably acquainted with the teaching of the Scriptures, need not have been in such doubt and amazement at the searching words of Jesus. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/3-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">“You</span><br /><span class="grk">Σὺ</span> <span class="translit">(Sy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are</span><br /><span class="grk">εἶ</span> <span class="translit">(ei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Israel’s</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἰσραὴλ</span> <span class="translit">(Israēl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2474.htm">Strong's 2474: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">teacher,”</span><br /><span class="grk">διδάσκαλος</span> <span class="translit">(didaskalos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1320.htm">Strong's 1320: </a> </span><span class="str2">A teacher, master. From didasko; an instructor.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἀπεκρίθη</span> <span class="translit">(Apekrithē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_611.htm">Strong's 611: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jesus,</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἰησοῦς</span> <span class="translit">(Iēsous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">you do not understand</span><br /><span class="grk">γινώσκεις</span> <span class="translit">(ginōskeis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">these things?</span><br /><span class="grk">ταῦτα</span> <span class="translit">(tauta)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/3-10.htm">John 3:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/3-10.htm">John 3:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/3-10.htm">John 3:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/3-10.htm">John 3:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/3-10.htm">John 3:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/3-10.htm">John 3:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/3-10.htm">John 3:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/3-10.htm">John 3:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/3-10.htm">John 3:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/3-10.htm">John 3:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/3-10.htm">NT Gospels: John 3:10 Jesus answered him Are you the teacher (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/3-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 3:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 3:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/3-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 3:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 3:11" /></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>