CINXE.COM

<!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 3:11 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/3-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/43_Jhn_03_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 3:11 - Jesus and Nicodemus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><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/3-11.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/3-11.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 11</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="/ad11.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/3-10.htm" title="John 3:10">◄</a> John 3:11 <a href="/john/3-12.htm" title="John 3:12">►</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> Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. <a href="/nlt/john/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. <a href="/esv/john/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. <a href="/bsb/john/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/blb/john/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Truly, truly, I say to you that we speak that which we know, and we bear witness to that which we have seen, and you people do not receive our witness. <a href="/kjv/john/3.htm">King James Bible</a> Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. <a href="/nkjv/john/3.htm">New King James Version</a> Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. <a href="/nasb_/john/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you people do not accept our testimony. <a href="/nasb/john/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. <a href="/nasb77/john/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak that which we know, and bear witness of that which we have seen; and you do not receive our witness. <a href="/lsb/john/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and bear witness of what we have seen, and you do not accept our witness. <a href="/amp/john/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> I assure you and most solemnly say to you, we speak only of what we [absolutely] know and testify about what we have [actually] seen [as eyewitnesses]; and [still] you [reject our evidence and] do not accept our testimony. <a href="/csb/john/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “Truly I tell you, we speak what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony. <a href="/hcsb/john/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220I assure you: We speak what We know and We testify to what We have seen, but you do not accept Our testimony. <a href="/asv/john/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that which we know, and bear witness of that which we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. <a href="/cev/john/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I tell you for certain we know what we are talking about because we have seen it ourselves. But none of you will accept what we say. <a href="/erv/john/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and bear witness of that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. <a href="/gwt/john/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I can guarantee this truth: We know what we're talking about, and we confirm what we've seen. Yet, you don't accept our message. <a href="/gnt/john/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> I am telling you the truth: we speak of what we know and report what we have seen, yet none of you is willing to accept our message. <a href="/isv/john/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> Truly, I tell you emphatically, we know what we're talking about, and we testify about what we've seen. Yet you people do not accept our testimony. <a href="/msb/john/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/john/3.htm">NET Bible</a> I tell you the solemn truth, we speak about what we know and testify about what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. <a href="/nheb/john/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Truly, truly, I tell you, we speak that which we know, and testify of that which we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony. <a href="/wbt/john/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Verily, verily, I say to thee, We speak what we know, and testify what we have seen; and ye receive not our testimony. <a href="/wey/john/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> In most solemn truth I tell you that we speak what we know, and give testimony of that of which we were eye-witnesses, and yet you all reject our testimony. <a href="/web/john/3.htm">World English Bible</a> Most certainly I tell you, we speak that which we know and testify of that which we have seen, and you don’t receive our witness. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Truly, truly, I say to you, what We have known We speak, and what We have seen We testify, and you do not receive Our testimony; <a href="/blb/john/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Truly, truly, I say to you that we speak that which we know, and we bear witness to that which we have seen, and you people do not receive our witness. <a href="/ylt/john/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'Verily, verily, I say to thee -- What we have known we speak, and what we have seen we testify, and our testimony ye do not receive; <a href="/slt/john/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Truly, truly, I say to thee, that what we know, we speak, and what we have seen we testify; and ye receive not our testimony.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Amen, amen I say to thee, that we speak what we know, and we testify what we have seen, and you receive not our testimony. <a href="/cpdv/john/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Amen, amen, I say to you, that we speak about what we know, and we testify about what we have seen. But you do not accept our testimony. <a href="/nabre/john/3.htm">New American Bible</a> Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. <a href="/nrsvce/john/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Truly, truly, I say to you, We speak only what we know, and we testify only to what we have seen; and yet you do not accept our testimony. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Timeless truth I speak to you: The things that We know We are speaking and the things that We see We are testifying, and Our testimony all of you do not accept.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Verily, verily, I say to you, we speak that which we know, and testify to that which we have seen; and you receive not our testimony. <a href="/godbey/john/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Truly, truly, I say unto thee, that we speak what we know, and testify what we have seen; and you received not our testimony.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Verily, verity, I tell thee, That what we know we speak, and what we have seen we affirm; and ye receive not our testimony. <a href="/mace/john/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> I declare unto thee, we speak what we know, and testify what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony. <a href="/wey/john/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> In most solemn truth I tell you that we speak what we know, and give testimony of that of which we were eye-witnesses, and yet you all reject our testimony. <a href="/worrell/john/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>Verily, verily, I say to you, We speak that which We know, and testify to that which We have seen; and ye receive not Our testimony.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>I assure thee, that we speak what we know, and testify what we have seen; though ye receive not our testimony.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/3-11.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=680" 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> …10“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and you do not understand these things? 11<a href="/greek/281.htm" title="281: amēn (Heb) -- Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely.">Truly,</a> <a href="/greek/281.htm" title="281: amēn (Heb) -- Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely.">truly,</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legō (V-PIA-1S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">I tell</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: soi (PPro-D2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you,</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because."></a> <a href="/greek/2980.htm" title="2980: laloumen (V-PIA-1P) -- A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.">we speak</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: ho (RelPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">of what</a> <a href="/greek/1492.htm" title="1492: oidamen (V-RIA-1P) -- To know, remember, appreciate. ">we know,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3140.htm" title="3140: martyroumen (V-PIA-1P) -- To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify.">we testify</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: ho (RelPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">to what</a> <a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: heōrakamen (V-RIA-1P) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">we have seen,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and yet</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/2983.htm" title="2983: lambanete (V-PIA-2P) -- (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of. ">you people do not accept</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">our</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3141.htm" title="3141: martyrian (N-AFS) -- Witness, evidence, testimony, reputation. From martus; evidence given.">testimony. </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?…<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="/john/1-11.htm">John 1:11-12</a> He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. / But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— <a href="/john/5-31.htm">John 5:31-32</a> If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid. / There is another who testifies about Me, and I know that His testimony about Me is valid. <a href="/john/8-14.htm">John 8:14</a> Jesus replied, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I came from or where I am going. <a href="/john/15-15.htm">John 15:15</a> No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you. <a href="/john/18-37.htm">John 18:37</a> “Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.” <a href="/1_john/1-1.htm">1 John 1:1-3</a> That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands—this is the Word of life. / And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. / We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. <a href="/1_john/5-9.htm">1 John 5:9-10</a> Even if we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony that God has given about His Son. / Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son. <a href="/1_timothy/6-13.htm">1 Timothy 6:13</a> I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before Pontius Pilate: <a href="/revelation/1-5.htm">Revelation 1:5</a> and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood, <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="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a> O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! <a href="/luke/10-22.htm">Luke 10:22</a> All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.” <a href="/isaiah/53-1.htm">Isaiah 53:1</a> Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? <a href="/jeremiah/7-25.htm">Jeremiah 7:25-26</a> From the day your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent you all My servants the prophets again and again. / Yet they would not listen to Me or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and did more evil than their fathers. <a href="/ezekiel/2-3.htm">Ezekiel 2:3-5</a> “Son of man,” He said to me, “I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me. To this very day they and their fathers have rebelled against Me. / They are obstinate and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you are to say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ / And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Truly, truly, I say to you, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and you receive not our witness.verily.<a href="/john/3-3.htm">John 3:3,5</a> Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God… We speak.<a href="/john/3-13.htm">John 3:13,32-34</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/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/7-16.htm">John 7:16</a> Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.ye.<a href="/john/3-32.htm">John 3:32</a> And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.<a href="/john/1-11.htm">John 1:11</a> He came unto his own, and his own received him not.<a href="/john/5-31.htm">John 5:31-40,43</a> If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/4-20.htm">Accept</a> <a href="/john/2-25.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/luke/1-2.htm">Eye-Witnesses</a> <a href="/john/1-16.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/luke/6-22.htm">Reject</a> <a href="/john/3-5.htm">Solemn</a> <a href="/john/1-40.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/john/2-25.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/john/2-25.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/john/3-5.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/john/3-5.htm">Verily</a> <a href="/john/2-25.htm">Witness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/5-34.htm">Accept</a> <a href="/john/3-26.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/john/4-45.htm">Eye-Witnesses</a> <a href="/john/3-27.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/john/6-37.htm">Reject</a> <a href="/john/5-19.htm">Solemn</a> <a href="/john/3-12.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/john/3-26.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/john/3-26.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/john/3-21.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/john/5-19.htm">Verily</a> <a href="/john/3-26.htm">Witness</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>Truly, truly, I tell you This phrase, often translated as "Amen, amen, I say to you," is a solemn affirmation used by Jesus to emphasize the truth and importance of His statement. The repetition of "truly" underscores the certainty and authority of His words. In Jewish tradition, "amen" is a declaration of affirmation, and its use here signifies the weight of divine truth.we speak of what we know Jesus refers to the knowledge that He and His followers possess, which is rooted in divine revelation and personal experience. This contrasts with the limited understanding of the religious leaders of the time, who relied heavily on human tradition and interpretation. The use of "we" may indicate the collective witness of Jesus and the prophets or the broader testimony of the Trinity.and we testify to what we have seen The concept of testimony is central to Jewish legal proceedings, where the testimony of witnesses is crucial for establishing truth. Jesus, as the ultimate witness, speaks from firsthand experience of heavenly realities. This phrase also connects to the role of the Holy Spirit, who testifies to the truth of Christ's words and works.and yet you people do not accept our testimony Here, Jesus addresses the unbelief of His audience, particularly the religious leaders who were resistant to His message. This rejection fulfills the prophetic pattern seen throughout the Old Testament, where God's messengers were often dismissed or persecuted. The phrase highlights the spiritual blindness and hardness of heart that prevents acceptance of divine truth.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council. Jesus is emphasizing the truth and authority of His testimony. 2. <a href="/topical/n/nicodemus.htm">Nicodemus</a> A Pharisee who comes to Jesus by night, seeking understanding of His teachings. He represents those who are curious but struggle to fully accept Jesus' message. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a> Implicitly included in the "we" of the verse, they are witnesses to Jesus' works and teachings, tasked with spreading His message. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_jewish_people.htm">The Jewish People</a> Referred to as "you people," they represent those who are skeptical or resistant to Jesus' testimony. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The setting of this conversation, a central place of religious and political activity in Jewish life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_authority_of_jesus'_testimony.htm">The Authority of Jesus' Testimony</a> Jesus speaks with authority because He is both fully God and fully man. His testimony is reliable and true, rooted in divine knowledge. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_receptivity.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Receptivity</a> Like Nicodemus, we must approach Jesus with an open heart, ready to accept His teachings even when they challenge our understanding. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_witnessing_in_faith.htm">The Role of Witnessing in Faith</a> Believers are called to testify to what they have experienced in Christ, sharing the truth of the Gospel with others. <a href="/topical/t/the_challenge_of_unbelief.htm">The Challenge of Unbelief</a> Many may hear the truth but choose not to accept it. This calls for patience and persistent prayer for those who are resistant. <a href="/topical/t/the_necessity_of_humility_in_learning.htm">The Necessity of Humility in Learning</a> Nicodemus' encounter with Jesus teaches us the importance of humility and the willingness to learn from Christ, the ultimate teacher.<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/what_do_we_speak_that_we_know.htm">What do we speak that we know?</a> <a href="/q/how_can_you_honor_god_with_your_body.htm">What do we speak that we know?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_today's_devotion_inspire.htm">What inspiration does today's Bible devotion offer you?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_blasphemy_unforgivable.htm">Matthew 12:31-32: How can blasphemy against the Holy Spirit be 'unforgivable' if Scripture elsewhere teaches God's limitless forgiveness?</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>(11) Once again the "Verily, verily" of deeper truth. "We speak that we do know" is in sharp contrast to their formal teaching of matters external to the truth. The plural is not usual in the language of Christ, and the immediate passage to the singular forbids us to accept the usual grammatical explanation that it is the plural of majesty. He apparently joins others with Himself,--those who have spoken and known and testified, and whose testimony has been rejected by the Jews. We have to think of him whose life-work was to bear witness of the Light (<a href="/john/1-8.htm" title="He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.">John 1:8</a>), and of the band of disciples who form a little school round their Master, and who in Jerusalem, as in Galilee, testified of Him; and it may even be that in the house and presence of one of that band this conversation took place (comp. <a href="/john/3-2.htm" title="The same came to Jesus by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him.">John 3:2</a>). They knew the power of the new life, and had been baptised of water and of spirit. In their measure and degree, as He in fulness, they spake what they knew, and testified what they had seen. (Comp. <a href="/john/15-27.htm" title="And you also shall bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.">John 15:27</a>.)And ye receive not our witness--i.e., "ye Jews," the teachers, of whom Nicodemus was one, the representatives of His own who received Him not (<a href="/john/1-11.htm" title="He came to his own, and his own received him not.">John 1:11</a>). This attitude of the mind which refused to accept the evidence of witnesses as to things they had known and seen was of the essence of unbelief, and made further revelation impossible. When the will closed the faculty of faith, it left open no access for fuller spiritual truth.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 11. - Verily, verily, I say to thee, We speak that which we know, and testify that which we have seen. Lucke and Meyer think that our Lord here merely uses the pluralis majestaticus - uses it as St. Paul does, when clearly he was referring to himself alone. It is difficult to believe this in the curious and impressive change of person here adopted, and the return to the first person singular in ver. 12. There was some reason why Jesus, in making this particular saying, uses the plural. (1) Luthardt says, "Christ and the Baptist." (2) Luther and Tholuck, "Christ and the whole prophetic company." (3) Stier, "The Three Persons of the blessed Trinity" (see Chrysostom, etc.). . . . <a href="/commentaries/john/3-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Truly, ἀμὴν (amēn) Hebrew Word <a href="/greek/strongs_281.htm">Strong's 281: </a> Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely. truly, ἀμὴν (amēn) Hebrew Word <a href="/greek/strongs_281.htm">Strong's 281: </a> Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely. I tell λέγω (legō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. you, σοι (soi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. we speak λαλοῦμεν (laloumen) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2980.htm">Strong's 2980: </a> A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words. of what ὃ (ho) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. we know, οἴδαμεν (oidamen) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1492.htm">Strong's 1492: </a> To know, remember, appreciate. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. we testify μαρτυροῦμεν (martyroumen) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3140.htm">Strong's 3140: </a> To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify. to what ὃ (ho) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. we have seen, ἑωράκαμεν (heōrakamen) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. and yet καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. you people do not accept λαμβάνετε (lambanete) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2983.htm">Strong's 2983: </a> (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of. our ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. testimony. μαρτυρίαν (martyrian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3141.htm">Strong's 3141: </a> Witness, evidence, testimony, reputation. From martus; evidence given. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/3-11.htm">John 3:11 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/3-11.htm">John 3:11 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/3-11.htm">John 3:11 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/3-11.htm">John 3:11 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/3-11.htm">John 3:11 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/3-11.htm">John 3:11 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/3-11.htm">John 3:11 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/3-11.htm">John 3:11 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/3-11.htm">John 3:11 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/3-11.htm">John 3:11 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/3-11.htm">NT Gospels: John 3:11 Most certainly I tell you we speak (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/3-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 3:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 3:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/3-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 3:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 3:12" /></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>