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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 3:13 No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven--the Son of Man.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/3-13.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_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 3:13 - Jesus and Nicodemus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven--the Son of Man." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/3-13.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/3-13.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 13</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/3-12.htm" title="John 3:12">◄</a> John 3:13 <a href="/john/3-14.htm" title="John 3:14">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/3.htm">New International Version</a> No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. <a href="/nlt/john/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. <a href="/esv/john/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. <a href="/bsb/john/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man. <a href="/blb/john/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And no one has gone up into heaven except the One having come down out of heaven, the Son of Man. <a href="/kjv/john/3.htm">King James Bible</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="/nkjv/john/3.htm">New King James Version</a> No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. <a href="/nasb_/john/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> No one has ascended into heaven, except He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. <a href="/nasb/john/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. <a href="/nasb77/john/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And no one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven, even the Son of Man. <a href="/lsb/john/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And no one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. <a href="/amp/john/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> No one has gone up into heaven, but there is One who came down from heaven, the Son of Man [Himself—whose home is in heaven]. <a href="/csb/john/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven —the Son of Man. <a href="/hcsb/john/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man. <a href="/asv/john/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> And no one hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven, even the Son of man, who is in heaven. <a href="/cev/john/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> No one has gone up to heaven except the Son of Man, who came down from there. <a href="/erv/john/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> And no man hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven, even the Son of man, which is in heaven. <a href="/gwt/john/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> No one has gone to heaven except the Son of Man, who came from heaven. <a href="/gnt/john/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> And no one has ever gone up to heaven except the Son of Man, who came down from heaven." <a href="/isv/john/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> "No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven. <a href="/msb/john/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven?the Son of Man, who is in heaven. <a href="/net/john/3.htm">NET Bible</a> No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven--the Son of Man. <a href="/nheb/john/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And no one has ascended into heaven, but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven. <a href="/wbt/john/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And no man hath ascended to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man who is in heaven. <a href="/wey/john/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> There is no one who has gone up to Heaven, but there is One who has come down from Heaven, namely the Son of Man whose home is in Heaven. <a href="/web/john/3.htm">World English Bible</a> No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And no one has gone up to Heaven, except He who came down out of Heaven—the Son of Man who is in Heaven. <a href="/blb/john/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And no one has gone up into heaven except the One having come down out of heaven, the Son of Man. <a href="/ylt/john/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and no one hath gone up to the heaven, except he who out of the heaven came down -- the Son of Man who is in the heaven. <a href="/slt/john/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And none has ascended to heaven, except he having descended from heaven, the Son of man, he being in heaven.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And no man hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. <a href="/cpdv/john/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And no one has ascended to heaven, except the one who descended from heaven: the Son of man who is in heaven. <a href="/nabre/john/3.htm">New American Bible</a> No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. <a href="/nrsvce/john/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> No man has ascended to heaven, except he who came down from heaven, even the Son of man who is in heaven. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And no man has gone up to Heaven except he who went down from Heaven: The Son of Man - he who is in Heaven.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And no man has ascended into heaven, but he who came down from heaven, the Son of man, who is in heaven. <a href="/godbey/john/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>No one hath ascended up into heaven, but the one having come down from heaven, the Son of man, who is in heaven.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Though no man hath ascended into heaven, except he that descended from heaven, that Son of man the I am in heaven. <a href="/mace/john/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for no man hath penetrated into the secrets of heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the son of man, who is in heaven. <a href="/wey/john/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> There is no one who has gone up to Heaven, but there is One who has come down from Heaven, namely the Son of Man whose home is in Heaven. <a href="/worrell/john/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>And no one has ascended into Heaven, but He Who descended out of Heaven?the Son of Man [Who is in Heaven].<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>For no one hath ascended up into heaven, but He that came down from heaven, <Fr>even<FR> the Son of man who is in heaven.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/3-13.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=702" 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">Jesus and Nicodemus</a> …12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3762.htm" title="3762: oudeis (Adj-NMS) -- No one, none, nothing. ">No one</a> <a href="/greek/305.htm" title="305: anabebēken (V-RIA-3S) -- To go up, mount, ascend; of things: I rise, spring up, come up. From ana and the base of basis; to go up.">has ascended</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">into</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- 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: ouranon (N-AMS) -- Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.">heaven</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">except</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></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/2597.htm" title="2597: katabas (V-APA-NMS) -- To go down, come down, either from the sky or from higher land, descend. From kata and the base of basis; to descend.">descended</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/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</a> <a href="/greek/5207.htm" title="5207: Huios (N-NMS) -- A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a son, used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.">Son</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/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpou (N-GMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">of Man.</a> 14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,…<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="/philippians/2-6.htm">Philippians 2:6-7</a> Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, / but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. <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/1-18.htm">John 1:18</a> No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known. <a href="/john/6-62.htm">John 6:62</a> Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before? <a href="/ephesians/4-9.htm">Ephesians 4:9-10</a> What does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth? / He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things. <a href="/proverbs/30-4.htm">Proverbs 30:4</a> Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know! <a href="/daniel/7-13.htm">Daniel 7:13-14</a> In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. / And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. <a href="/acts/2-34.htm">Acts 2:34</a> For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand <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="/hebrews/4-14.htm">Hebrews 4:14</a> Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess. <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/17-5.htm">John 17:5</a> And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed. <a href="/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15-17</a> The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. / For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. / He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. <a href="/matthew/11-27.htm">Matthew 11:27</a> All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. <a href="/1_timothy/3-16.htm">1 Timothy 3:16</a> By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And no man has ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.no man.<a href="/john/1-18.htm">John 1:18</a> No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.<a href="/john/6-46.htm">John 6:46</a> Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.<a href="/deuteronomy/30-12.htm">Deuteronomy 30:12</a> It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?but.<a href="/john/6-33.htm">John 6:33,38,51,62</a> For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world… <a href="/john/8-42.htm">John 8:42</a> Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.<a href="/john/13-3.htm">John 13:3</a> Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;even.<a href="/john/1-18.htm">John 1:18</a> No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.<a href="/matthew/28-20.htm">Matthew 28:20</a> Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.<a href="/mark/16-19.htm">Mark 16:19,20</a> So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/15-29.htm">Ascended</a> <a href="/john/2-12.htm">Descended</a> <a href="/john/3-5.htm">Except</a> <a href="/john/3-12.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/john/1-11.htm">Home</a> <a href="/luke/18-19.htm">Namely</a> <a href="/luke/23-39.htm">Save</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/20-17.htm">Ascended</a> <a href="/john/5-4.htm">Descended</a> <a href="/john/3-27.htm">Except</a> <a href="/john/3-27.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/john/4-50.htm">Home</a> <a href="/john/5-45.htm">Namely</a> <a href="/john/3-17.htm">Save</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>No one has ascended into heaven This phrase emphasizes the unique nature of Jesus Christ's authority and knowledge of heavenly matters. In the biblical context, figures like Enoch (<a href="/genesis/5-24.htm">Genesis 5:24</a>) and Elijah (<a href="/2_kings/2-11.htm">2 Kings 2:11</a>) were taken up by God, but they did not ascend by their own power or authority. This statement underscores that no human has independently entered heaven to gain divine insight or authority. It highlights the distinction between Jesus and all other human beings, as He alone has the divine prerogative and origin.except the One who descended from heaven This part of the verse points to the pre-existence and divine origin of Jesus Christ. It affirms the doctrine of the Incarnation, where Jesus, who is fully God, took on human flesh. The descent from heaven signifies His voluntary act of coming into the world to fulfill God's redemptive plan. This is echoed in other scriptures such as <a href="/philippians/2-6.htm">Philippians 2:6-7</a>, which speaks of Christ's humility and incarnation. The descent also implies His authority to speak of heavenly things, as He originates from there.the Son of Man The title "Son of Man" is a messianic term that Jesus frequently used for Himself. It has roots in <a href="/daniel/7-13.htm">Daniel 7:13-14</a>, where the "Son of Man" is depicted as a heavenly figure given authority and an everlasting kingdom. This title emphasizes both the humanity and the divine authority of Jesus. It connects His earthly ministry with His heavenly origin and future reign. The use of this title in this context reinforces Jesus' unique role as the mediator between God and humanity, possessing both divine insight and authority.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ (Son of Man)</a> The central figure in this verse, Jesus refers to Himself as the "Son of Man," a title that emphasizes both His humanity and His divine authority. This title is rooted in the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Daniel, where it signifies a messianic figure. 2. <a href="/topical/h/heaven.htm">Heaven</a> The dwelling place of God, representing divine authority and the ultimate destination for believers. In this context, it signifies the origin of Jesus' divine nature and authority. 3. <a href="/topical/e/earthly_ministry_of_jesus.htm">Earthly Ministry of Jesus</a> The event of Jesus descending from heaven to earth to fulfill His mission of salvation. This highlights the incarnation, where Jesus took on human flesh to dwell among us.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_authority_of_jesus.htm">Divine Authority of Jesus</a> Jesus' unique position as the one who descended from and ascended to heaven underscores His divine authority and authenticity as the Messiah. Believers can trust in His teachings and promises. <a href="/topical/t/the_incarnation.htm">The Incarnation</a> The descent of Jesus from heaven to earth is a profound act of love and humility. It serves as a model for believers to live lives of humility and service. <a href="/topical/h/heavenly_perspective.htm">Heavenly Perspective</a> Understanding that Jesus has ascended to heaven encourages believers to maintain a heavenly perspective, focusing on eternal values rather than earthly concerns. <a href="/topical/a/assurance_of_salvation.htm">Assurance of Salvation</a> Jesus' authority and His role as the mediator between God and humanity provide assurance of salvation for those who believe in Him.<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/has_anyone_ever_ascended_to_heaven.htm">Has anyone ever ascended to heaven?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'god_is_love'_signify.htm">Has anyone ever ascended to heaven?</a> <a href="/q/did_anyone_besides_jesus_ascend.htm">Apart from Jesus did anyone else ascend to heaven? No (John 3:13) Yes. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven (2 Kings 2:11)</a> <a href="/q/does_john_3_13_say_none_ascended_pre-jesus.htm">Does John 3:13 imply no one ascended before Jesus?</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>(13) And no man hath ascended up.--There can be no other means of receiving heavenly truth. No man hath learnt it, and is able to teach it, except the Son of Man, who ever was, and is, in heaven. The thought has met us before (<a href="/john/1-18.htm" title="No man has seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.">John 1:18</a>). To Nicodemus it must have come as an answer to the words of Agur, which had passed into a proverb to express the vanity of human effort to know God. "Who hath ascended up into heaven or descended?. . . . What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?" (<a href="/proverbs/30-4.htm" title="Who has ascended up into heaven, or descended? who has gathered the wind in his fists? who has bound the waters in a garment? who has established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if you can tell?">Proverbs 30:4</a>). No man had so passed to heaven and returned again to earth; but there was One then speaking with him who had been in heaven with God, and could tell him its eternal truths. He had that knowledge which a man could obtain only by ascending to heaven, and He came down from heaven with it. From the human point of view He was as one who had already ascended and descended. (Comp. Note on <a href="/john/1-51.htm" title="And he said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, Hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of man.">John 1:51</a>.) This is the evident meaning of the sentence, and the form is quite consistent with it. To explain the perfect tense of the future ascension, or to introduce the idea of the "hypostatic union," by virtue of which the human nature may be said to have ascended into heaven with the divine, is, to give an explanation, not of the text, but of a misunderstanding of it. (But comp. <a href="/john/6-62.htm" title="What and if you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?">John 6:62</a>.)Which is in heaven.--These words are omitted in some MSS., including the Sinaitic and the Vatican. The judgment of most modern editors (not including Westcott and Hort) retains them. It is an instance where it is hard to account for the insertion by a copyist, but where the omission is not unlikely, owing to their seeming difficulty. And yet the difficulty is one which vanishes before the true idea of heaven. If heaven is thought of as a place infinitely distant beyond clouds and sky, or as a time in the far future when this world's life shall end, then it is indeed hard to understand what is here meant by "the Son of Man which is in heaven;" and a copyist may well have found in omission the easiest solution of the difficulty. But if heaven is something wholly different from this coldness of distance in space or time; if it is a state, a life, in which we are, which is in us--now in part, hereafter in its fulness--then may we understand and with glad hearts hold to the vital truth that the Son of Man, who came down from heaven, was ever in heaven; and that every son of man who is born of water and of the Spirit is "made a member of Christ, a child of God, and an inheritor (in the present, ??????????) of the kingdom of heaven."<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 13-15. - (2) The truth concerning the Son of man and his sacrifice. Verse 13. - And. The simple copula is here fuller significance. Olshausen regards it as "adversative," equivalent to "yet." Meyer, as a simple continuation of the previous statement. The καὶ has more than a mere conjunctive force. Lance puts it thus: "And yet you must be told heavenly things by him who, being the Heavenly One, is himself the first subject of this revelation." No one hath ascended into heaven. The past tense must be honestly considered. The word cannot refer to the future ascension of Jesus the Lord of glory to where he was before - to the glory which he had with the Father before the world was (<a href="/john/17-5.htm">John 17:5</a>); nor can it refer, as the Socinian interpreters supposed, to a rapture into heaven of the Divine Man between his baptism and temptation (Socini 'Opera,' 2:511, 610, quoted by J.P. Smith, 'Scripture Testimony to the Messiah,' 2, pp. 103-117), of which we have not the faintest trace either in Scripture or tradition; nor is it sufficient, with Hengstenberg and others, to regard it as a mere Hebraism for high and exalted intercourse with God and heavenly things. True, there have been many who have sought to climb the steep ascent (<a href="/genesis/11-4.htm">Genesis 11:4</a>; <a href="/isaiah/14-13.htm">Isaiah 14:13</a>); true also that rabbis spoke of Moses having "ascended into the heavens," by which (says Whitby) they meant "admission to the Divine counsels." The authority on which he depends is the late 'Targum on Cantic. 1:5, 11, 12,' by which, however, all that is clear is that the Targnmist was referring to the ascent of Moses to the top of Sinai, i.e. above the multitude in the deserts, to the place whither Jehovah came to speak with him. But <a href="/exodus/20-22.htm">Exodus 20:22</a>, the canonical Scripture, makes it clear that it was "from the heavens" that Jehovah spoke with his servant. There are, however, other passages quoted by Schottgen from Jerusalem Targum on <a href="/deuteronomy/30-12.htm">Deuteronomy 30:12</a>, and from the 'Mishna,' in which Moses is said to have "ascended into heaven, and heard the voice of God;" but further inquiry leads us to judge that the Hebrew commentators were thinking of the going up to Sinai for his lofty revelations, and their followers have supposed that this process was a synonym of the revelations themselves. Many have thought to rise above the world to the beatific vision, but Jesus says none have done it in the only sense in which they would have been thereby fitted to discourse on the heavenly things. Two things are needed for this in the main - to be in heaven, and come thence charged with its Divine communications. Enoch, Elijah, may have been translated that they should not see death, but they are not so lifted into the abode of God that they might come thence charged with heavenly truth, and able to explain the "how" of Divine grace. No one hath ascended into heaven except he who has by living there as in his eternal home come down from heaven. Meyer, Luthardt, Westcott, etc., all call attention to other and analogous usage of εἰ μὴ, which fastens upon a part of the previous negative, not the whole assertion, and therefore here upon the idea of living in heaven and coming thence (<a href="/matthew/12-4.htm">Matthew 12:4</a>; <a href="/luke/4-26.htm">Luke 4:26, 27</a>; <a href="/galatians/1-7.htm">Galatians 1:7</a>). Man, if he should presume to come with a full revelation of Divine and heavenly things, must come down from a height to which he had previously ascended; but no man has thus and for this purpose ascended, except he who has descended from heaven, having been there before his manifestation in the flesh, having been "in God." "with God," "in the bosom of the Father," and having come thence, not losing his essential ego, his Divine personality, even though calling himself the Son of man. For any other to have come down from heaven, it was necessary that he should first have ascended thither; but the Son of man has descended without having ascended. He calls himself "Son of man," and he claims to have come down from heaven without ceasing to be what he was before. Godet urges that, by the "ascended into heaven," he meant such lofty communion with God and immediate knowledge of Divine things as to differentiate him from all others, but that the phrase, "come down from heaven," implies previous existence in his native place, and that the Lord's filial intimacy with God rests on his essential sonship. Still, he conceives that Jesus asserts his own ascension in the spiritual sense to the heart of God, and his descent with consequent resultant knowledge, and expounds both statements by the explanation that as Son of man he is living the twofold life in heaven and on earth at the same time. By using the term, "Son of man," Christ emphasized the exalted dignity that is involved in the extent of his self-humiliation,, and complete sympathy with us. He was the second Adam, the Lord from heaven." Who is (not was) in heaven. If this be only an early gloss, it throws light on the two previous clauses. It declares that, though he came down, and though his introduction to this world was an incarnation, yet that he is in the deepest sense still in heaven. Such language is a vindication of his claim to reveal heavenly things. Augustine says, "Ecce hic erat et in coelo erat, hic erat in carne, in coelo erat divinitate, natus de matre, non recedens a Patre." Again, "Si Paulus ambulabat in carne in terra et conversabatur in coelo, Deus coeli et terrae poterat esse et in coelo et in terra." Archdeacon Watkins says admirably, "If heaven is a state, a life, in which we are, which is in us, now in part, hereafter in its fulness, then we may understand, and with glad hearts hold to, the vital truth that the Son of man who came down from heaven was ever in heaven." <a href="/commentaries/john/3-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>No one οὐδεὶς (oudeis) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3762.htm">Strong's 3762: </a> No one, none, nothing. has ascended ἀναβέβηκεν (anabebēken) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_305.htm">Strong's 305: </a> To go up, mount, ascend; of things: I rise, spring up, come up. From ana and the base of basis; to go up. into εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. heaven οὐρανὸν (ouranon) Noun - Accusative 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. except εἰ (ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. 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. descended καταβάς (katabas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2597.htm">Strong's 2597: </a> To go down, come down, either from the sky or from higher land, descend. From kata and the base of basis; to descend. 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. the 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. Son Υἱὸς (Huios) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5207.htm">Strong's 5207: </a> A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship. of Man. ἀνθρώπου (anthrōpou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/3-13.htm">John 3:13 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/3-13.htm">John 3:13 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/3-13.htm">John 3:13 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/3-13.htm">John 3:13 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/3-13.htm">John 3:13 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/3-13.htm">John 3:13 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/3-13.htm">John 3:13 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/3-13.htm">John 3:13 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/3-13.htm">John 3:13 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/3-13.htm">John 3:13 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/3-13.htm">NT Gospels: John 3:13 No one has ascended into heaven (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/3-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 3:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 3:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/3-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 3:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 3:14" /></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>