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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 3:34 For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/3-34.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/43_Jhn_03_34.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 3:34 - John's Testimony about Jesus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit." /><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/3-34.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/3-34.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 34</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="/ad14.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/3-33.htm" title="John 3:33">◄</a> John 3:34 <a href="/john/3-35.htm" title="John 3:35">►</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> For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. <a href="/nlt/john/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. <a href="/esv/john/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. <a href="/bsb/john/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. <a href="/blb/john/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For He whom God sent speaks the words of God, for He gives the Spirit without measure. <a href="/kjv/john/3.htm">King James Bible</a> For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. <a href="/nkjv/john/3.htm">New King James Version</a> For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. <a href="/nasb_/john/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For He whom God sent speaks the words of God; for He does not give the Spirit sparingly. <a href="/nasb/john/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. <a href="/nasb77/john/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. <a href="/lsb/john/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. <a href="/amp/john/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God [proclaiming the Father’s own message]; for God gives the [gift of the] Spirit without measure [generously and boundlessly]! <a href="/csb/john/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For the one whom God sent speaks God’s words, since he gives the Spirit without measure. <a href="/hcsb/john/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For God sent Him, and He speaks God&#8217s words, since He gives the Spirit without measure. <a href="/asv/john/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for he giveth not the Spirit by measure. <a href="/cev/john/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The Son was sent to speak God's message, and he has been given the full power of God's Spirit. <a href="/erv/john/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for he giveth not the Spirit by measure. <a href="/gwt/john/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The man whom God has sent speaks God's message. After all, God gives him the Spirit without limit. <a href="/gnt/john/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> The one whom God has sent speaks God's words, because God gives him the fullness of his Spirit. <a href="/isv/john/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> The one whom God sent speaks the words of God, because God does not give the Spirit in limited measure to him. <a href="/msb/john/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. <a href="/net/john/3.htm">NET Bible</a> For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he does not give the Spirit sparingly. <a href="/nheb/john/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for he does not give the Spirit by measure. <a href="/wbt/john/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God: for to him God giveth not the Spirit by measure. <a href="/wey/john/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For He whom God has sent speaks God's words; for God does not give the Spirit with limitations." <a href="/web/john/3.htm">World English Bible</a> For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for He whom God sent, He speaks the sayings of God; for God does not give the Spirit by measure; <a href="/blb/john/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For He whom God sent speaks the words of God, for He gives the Spirit without measure. <a href="/ylt/john/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for he whom God sent, the sayings of God he speaketh; for not by measure doth God give the Spirit; <a href="/slt/john/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For he whom God sent speaks the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit by measure.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God: for God doth not give the Spirit by measure. <a href="/cpdv/john/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God. For God does not give the Spirit by measure. <a href="/nabre/john/3.htm">New American Bible</a> For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. <a href="/nrsvce/john/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For he whom God has sent, speaks the words of God; for God did not give the Spirit by measure. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for it was not in a measure that God has given The Spirit.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For he whom God has sent, speaks the words of God; for God gives not the Spirit by measure to him. <a href="/godbey/john/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> For whom God sent speaketh the words of God: for He does not give His spirit by measure. <a href="/haweis/john/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God hath not given the Spirit by measure unto him. <a href="/mace/john/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for he whom God hath sent, saith nothing but what is divine: for God hath given him the spirit without restriction. <a href="/wey/john/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For He whom God has sent speaks God's words; for God does not give the Spirit with limitations." <a href="/worrell/john/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> For He Whom God sent speaketh the words of God; for He giveth not the Spirit by measure. <a href="/worsley/john/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> for He, whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God: for God giveth the Spirit to Him not by measure. <a href="/parallel/john/3-34.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=885" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/3.htm">John's Testimony about Jesus</a> …33Whoever accepts His testimony has certified that God is truthful. 34<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hon (RelPro-AMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">the One</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.">whom</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theos (N-NMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God</a> <a href="/greek/649.htm" title="649: apesteilen (V-AIA-3S) -- From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively.">has sent</a> <a href="/greek/2980.htm" title="2980: lalei (V-PIA-3S) -- A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.">speaks</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- 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/4487.htm" title="4487: rhēmata (N-ANP) -- From rheo; an utterance,; by implication, a matter or topic; with a negative naught whatever.">words</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/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">of God,</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">for</a> <a href="/greek/1325.htm" title="1325: didōsin (V-PIA-3S) -- To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.">God gives</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- 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/4151.htm" title="4151: Pneuma (N-ANS) -- Wind, breath, spirit. ">Spirit</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.">without</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."></a> <a href="/greek/3358.htm" title="3358: metrou (N-GNS) -- An apparently primary word; a measure, literally or figuratively; by implication, a limited portion.">limit.</a> 35The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands.…<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/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a> The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. <a href="/john/7-16.htm">John 7:16-18</a> “My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me. / If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own. / He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is a man of truth; in Him there is no falsehood. <a href="/john/8-26.htm">John 8:26-28</a> “I have much to say about you and much to judge. But the One who sent Me is truthful, and what I have heard from Him, I tell the world.” / They did not understand that He was telling them about the Father. / So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me. <a href="/john/14-10.htm">John 14:10</a> Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works. <a href="/john/17-8.htm">John 17:8</a> For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me. <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="/luke/4-18.htm">Luke 4:18</a> “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, <a href="/acts/10-38.htm">Acts 10:38</a> how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him. <a href="/hebrews/1-1.htm">Hebrews 1:1-2</a> On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. / But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. <a href="/hebrews/2-3.htm">Hebrews 2:3-4</a> how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, / and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will. <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="/isaiah/11-2.htm">Isaiah 11:2</a> The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. <a href="/isaiah/42-1.htm">Isaiah 42:1</a> “Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations. <a href="/isaiah/61-1.htm">Isaiah 61:1</a> The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, <a href="/deuteronomy/18-18.htm">Deuteronomy 18:18</a> I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit by measure to him.he.<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.<a href="/john/8-26.htm">John 8:26-28,40,47</a> I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him… for God.<a href="/john/3-17.htm">John 3:17</a> For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.<a href="/john/1-16.htm">John 1:16</a> And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.<a href="/john/5-26.htm">John 5:26</a> For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/3-32.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/john/3-18.htm">God's</a> <a href="/john/1-16.htm">Measure</a> <a href="/john/3-31.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/john/3-31.htm">Speaks</a> <a href="/john/3-8.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/micah/7-3.htm">Utters</a> <a href="/john/3-31.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/4-10.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/john/3-36.htm">God's</a> <a href="/john/10-10.htm">Measure</a> <a href="/john/7-18.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/john/4-26.htm">Speaks</a> <a href="/john/4-23.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/john/8-44.htm">Utters</a> <a href="/john/4-41.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">John 3</div>1. <a href="/john/3-1.htm">Jesus teaches Nicodemus the necessity of being born again,</a> 14. <a href="/john/3-14.htm">of faith in his death,</a> 16. <a href="/john/3-16.htm">the great love of God toward the world,</a> 18. <a href="/john/3-18.htm">and the condemnation for unbelief.</a> 22. <a href="/john/3-22.htm">Jesus baptizes in Judea.</a> 23. <a href="/john/3-23.htm">The baptism, witness, and doctrine of John concerning Jesus.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </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>For the One whom God has sent This phrase refers to Jesus Christ, who is consistently identified in the New Testament as the one sent by God. The concept of being "sent" by God is rooted in the Old Testament, where prophets were often described as being sent by God to deliver His messages (e.g., <a href="/isaiah/6-8.htm">Isaiah 6:8</a>, <a href="/jeremiah/1-7.htm">Jeremiah 1:7</a>). Jesus, however, is unique in that He is not merely a prophet but the Son of God, fulfilling the ultimate mission of salvation (<a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16-17</a>). This sending underscores the divine authority and purpose behind Jesus' ministry.speaks the words of God Jesus' teachings are not His own but are directly from God, emphasizing His divine authority and the truth of His message (<a href="/john/7-16.htm">John 7:16</a>, <a href="/john/12-49.htm">John 12:49-50</a>). This aligns with the Jewish understanding of a prophet as one who speaks God's words, but Jesus surpasses this role as He embodies the Word of God (<a href="/john/1.htm">John 1:1, 14</a>). His words are life-giving and eternal (<a href="/john/6-63.htm">John 6:63, 68</a>), and they fulfill the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament (<a href="/deuteronomy/18-18.htm">Deuteronomy 18:18</a>).for God gives the Spirit without limit This phrase highlights the unique relationship between Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Unlike the Old Testament prophets who received the Spirit in a limited measure for specific tasks (e.g., <a href="/judges/6-34.htm">Judges 6:34</a>, <a href="/1_samuel/10-10.htm">1 Samuel 10:10</a>), Jesus possesses the fullness of the Spirit (<a href="/isaiah/11-2.htm">Isaiah 11:2</a>, <a href="/luke/4-18.htm">Luke 4:18</a>). This unlimited anointing empowers His ministry and signifies the new covenant era, where the Spirit is poured out abundantly (<a href="/joel/2-28.htm">Joel 2:28-29</a>, <a href="/acts/2-17.htm">Acts 2:17-18</a>). It also points to the Trinitarian relationship, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work in perfect unity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure in this verse, referred to as "the One whom God has sent." Jesus is the embodiment of God's Word and the ultimate revelation of God's will to humanity. 2. <a href="/topical/g/god_the_father.htm">God the Father</a> The sender of Jesus, who provides the authority and the Spirit to Jesus, ensuring that His words are divine and authoritative. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_holy_spirit.htm">The Holy Spirit</a> Given "without limit" to Jesus, empowering Him to speak and act according to God's will. This highlights the fullness of the Spirit's presence in Jesus' ministry. 4. <a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a> The speaker in the broader context of <a href="/bsb/john/3.htm">John 3</a>, who is testifying about Jesus' divine mission and authority. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_disciples_and_early_believers.htm">The Disciples and Early Believers</a> The initial audience of John's Gospel, who are being taught about the divine nature and authority of Jesus' words.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_authority_of_jesus'_words.htm">Divine Authority of Jesus' Words</a> Jesus speaks with the full authority of God, and His teachings are the ultimate guide for our lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_fullness_of_the_spirit.htm">The Fullness of the Spirit</a> Jesus' ministry is empowered by the Holy Spirit without measure, setting a model for believers to seek the Spirit's guidance and empowerment. <a href="/topical/g/god's_generosity.htm">God's Generosity</a> The limitless giving of the Spirit to Jesus reflects God's abundant generosity, encouraging us to trust in His provision. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a> As believers, we are called to rely on the Holy Spirit for understanding and living out God's Word. <a href="/topical/w/witnessing_to_christ's_authority.htm">Witnessing to Christ's Authority</a> Like John the Baptist, we are called to testify to the truth and authority of Jesus' words in our lives and communities.<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/who_is_the_author_of_2_samuel.htm">What does 'born of the flesh' mean?</a> <a href="/q/is_the_trinity_concept_illogical.htm">Isn't the concept of the Trinity illogical?</a> <a href="/q/is_god's_form_physical.htm">Is God's form physical?</a> <a href="/q/meaning_of_john_8_32_on_truth.htm">What does John 8:32 mean about knowing the truth?</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>(34) For he whom God hath sent.--Better, he whom God sent. The acceptance of the witness of things seen and heard is the attestation by the human spirit of the truthfulness of God, for Jesus is as one sent from God to declare Him. It is the divine image in man which recognises divinity. Every human faculty finds its true work, and true satisfaction, and the true object of its being, in Him; and therefore the whole man knows that His words are true, and recognises that He speaks the words of God. (Comp. <a href="/1_john/5-10.htm" title="He that believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself: he that believes not God has made him a liar; because he believes not the record that God gave of his Son.">1John 5:10</a>.)For God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.--The italics will show that the words "unto Him" are added in our version; and it is probable that the word "God," which has been repeated from the first clause of the verse, should be also omitted here. We have then to read, "For He giveth not the Spirit by measure;" or, possibly, "For the Spirit giveth not by measure." If, however, we remember that John the Baptist is the speaker, and that he had seen "the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and coming upon Him" (see Note on <a href="/matthew/3-16.htm" title="And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, see, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting on him:">Matthew 3:16</a>, and comp. such passages as <a href="/luke/11-13.htm" title="If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?">Luke 11:13</a>, and in this Gospel <a href="/john/14-16.htm" title="And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;">John 14:16</a>; <a href="/john/15-26.htm" title="But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me:">John 15:26</a>), we shall still interpret the words in the sense which our version gives. The words "by measure," in the sense of limitation, are frequent in the classical and rabbinical writings. The Rabbis seem to have applied the phrase to prophets and teachers, saying that the Spirit dwelt in the prophets only in a certain measure. Comp. <a href="/2_kings/2-9.htm" title="And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for you, before I be taken away from you. And Elisha said, I pray you, let a double portion of your spirit be on me.">2Kings 2:9</a>, where Elisha prays for "a double portion," or, more exactly, a portion of two--the portion of the first-born son (<a href="/deuteronomy/21-17.htm" title="But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he has: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.">Deuteronomy 21:17</a>)--of the spirit of Elijah. The same thought meets us in St. Paul (himself a pupil of Gamaliel), who speaks of "the self-same Spirit dividing to every man severally as He will" (see <a href="/context/1_corinthians/12-4.htm" title="Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.">1Corinthians 12:4-12</a>). The opposite of this thought, then, is before us here. God gives in this case not as in others. The Son who cometh from above is above all. There is no gift of prophet, or of teacher, which is not given to Him. He has the fulness of the spiritual gifts which in part are given to men, and He speaks the very words of God. It will be noted that John is still expounding to his disciples the meaning of his own declaration, "He must increase, but I must decrease." . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 34. - The γὰρ shows that the former utterance is sustained. For he whom God sent uttereth the words of God. The full, many-sided, abundant expression of the thought of God. He has been sent for this purpose. Some take this clause to refer to all the ambassadors of God, and pre-eminently to the "man (<a href="/john/1-6.htm">John 1:6</a>) sent from God, whose name was John." But, on the ether hand, observe that throughout the Gospel, ἀπόστελλω and πέμπω are used of the "Lord from heaven" (ver. 17). Christ certainly is ἀπεσταλμένος as well as ἐρχομένος, and this great statement, viz. that Christ speaks the words of God, is a justification of the fact that, in accepting the witness of Christ to invisible and eternal things, and in the admission that he has been sent from heaven charged with the words of God, every separate believer becomes a seal, a ratification, of the veracity of God. The clause that follows (seeing that "to him" is unquestionably a gloss of translators, and is not found in any manuscripts) may be translated in three different ways. (1) For God giveth not the Spirit by measure; for if ὁ Θεός is omitted, still the same subject, "God," might be and is generally supplied, and the object, supposed to be either Christ or any of his servants to whom in these days of the baptism of the Spirit, the Holy Ghost is poured forth from an inexhaustible treasure. Augustine and Calvin urged that it was said concerning Christ; for we read in ver. 35 that "the Father hath given all things into his hand;" but exclusively to limit the object of δίδωσι to Christ is more than the passage will justify. (2) For he (the Messiah, sc.) giveth not the Spirit by measure; i.e. He is exalted to pour forth from the heart of the Deity the Spirit of the Father and Son. This is preferred by Westcott, and by those who see in the entire passage the reflections of the author of the Gospel (cf. <a href="/john/15-26.htm">John 15:26</a>). (3) For the Spirit giveth not by measure; the object (sc.) being "the words of God," which he who is sent and is coming from heaven, and is above all, is now lavishing upon the world. This translation (Godet) is in harmony with the vision of John at the baptism, when the Holy Spirit after the manner of a dove descended and abode upon him. With an unmeasurable supply of spiritual energy was the humanity of him who came (qua his Divine nature and personality) from heaven enriched for his prophetic and Messianic functions as the beloved Son of God on earth. I see no difficulty in this last interpretation. . . . <a href="/commentaries/john/3-34.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>For γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. the [One] ὃν (hon) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. whom 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. God Θεὸς (Theos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. has sent ἀπέστειλεν (apesteilen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_649.htm">Strong's 649: </a> From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively. speaks λαλεῖ (lalei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2980.htm">Strong's 2980: </a> A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words. the τὰ (ta) Article - Accusative Neuter Plural <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. words ῥήματα (rhēmata) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4487.htm">Strong's 4487: </a> From rheo; an utterance, ; by implication, a matter or topic; with a negative naught whatever. of God, Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. for γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. [God] gives δίδωσιν (didōsin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1325.htm">Strong's 1325: </a> To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter 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. Spirit Πνεῦμα (Pneuma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4151.htm">Strong's 4151: </a> Wind, breath, spirit. without οὐ (ou) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. limit. μέτρου (metrou) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3358.htm">Strong's 3358: </a> An apparently primary word; a measure, literally or figuratively; by implication, a limited portion. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/3-34.htm">John 3:34 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/3-34.htm">John 3:34 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/3-34.htm">John 3:34 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/3-34.htm">John 3:34 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/3-34.htm">John 3:34 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/3-34.htm">John 3:34 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/3-34.htm">John 3:34 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/3-34.htm">John 3:34 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/3-34.htm">John 3:34 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/3-34.htm">John 3:34 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/3-34.htm">NT Gospels: John 3:34 For he whom God has sent speaks (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/3-33.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 3:33"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 3:33" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/3-35.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 3:35"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 3:35" /></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>