A Study of John's Gospel

John 3:31-33: He Who Comes From Heaven Is Above All

He Who Comes From Heaven Is Above All

A study of John 3:31-33

"He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true."

‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭31‬-‭33‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Definitions of the original language in the context of this passage:

-From Above: "anōthen", "ἄνωθεν"; adverb - from above, from a higher place; used of things which come from heaven, or from God as dwelling in heaven.

-Above: "epanō", "ἐπάνω"; adverb - of dignity and power.

-Of: "ek", "ἐκ"; preposition - is of an earthly nature.

-Earth: "gē", "γῆ"; feminine noun - the earth as opposed to the heavens; in contrast with Christ as having come from heaven; he who is of earthly (human) origin, has an earthly nature, and speaks as his earthly origin and nature prompt.

-Heaven: "Ouranos", "οὐρανός"; masculine noun - the seat of an order of things eternal and consummately perfect, where God dwells and the other heavenly beings; from where Christ is said to have come.

-He Testifies: "martyreō", "μαρτυρέω"; verb - to testify a thing, bear witness to (of) anything.

-No One: "oudeis", "οὐδείς"; pronoun - and no one, no one, none, no.

-Receive (Accept): "lambanō", "λαμβάνω"; verb - to admit or receive into the mind; to believe the testimony.

-Sets His Seal To This: "sphragizō", "σφραγίζω"; verb - in order to prove, confirm, or attest a thing; hence, tropically, to confirm, authenticate, place beyond doubt.

-True: "alēthēs", "ἀληθής"; adjective - loving the truth, speaking the truth, truthful.

Observation/Summary (short explanation of what the passage says in your own words):

As John the Baptist (JB) continues to explain to his disciples why he is overjoyed to see the ministry and following of Jesus growing far beyond his own, he speaks of where Jesus the Christ has come from. Jesus is "from above" and is above all. In contrast to someone like JB who is "of the earth," Jesus came from heaven and is therefore above all of us, including JB. Jesus came from heaven to testify to the world of the salvation available to everyone in Him, but many people did not and still do not receive this testimony. Everyone who does receive His testimony "sets his seal" to the fact that God is true.

Implication (what does this mean to us):

Note: For John 3:31-36: There is some debate as to whether these are the words of John the Baptist (JB), or if John the apostle and writer of this gospel wrote these words to expand on the point made by JB in verses 27-30. For the purpose of this study I will treat these words as having been said by JB, but whether we understand them to be from JB, or a supplemental explanation from John the apostle, the meaning and truth of the words remains unchanged.

This passage is part of a discussion between JB and his disciples. His disciples were upset and concerned to see the following of Jesus growing while their teacher's dwindled. In the verses previous to these JB reminds them Jesus is the Christ who he was sent to proclaim and prepare the way for. Now that Jesus the Christ had come, JB was overjoyed to see people flocking to Him. He then told his disciples what should be the desire of every Christian in regards to Jesus, saying, "He must increase, but I must decrease." Our call is to make the name of Jesus known, not our own. JB models this humility for us and his followers in this passage.