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John 3:1 open_in_new
There was. Now there was.
a man. With special reference to the last word of John 2.
man. Greek. anthropos. App-123.
of. Greek. ek. App-104.
Pharisees. App-120.
Nicodemus. Mentioned three times (here, 1, 4, 9; John 7:50; John 19:39). Rabbinical tradition makes him one of the three richest men in Jerusalem. See Lightfoot, vol. xii, p. 252.
ruler.. member of the Sanhedrin, or National Council. See on Matthew 5:22.
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John 3:2 open_in_new
to. Greek. pros. App-104.
Jesus. App-98.
by night. See John 7:50; John 19:39.
Rabbi. App-98.
know. Greek. oida. App-132.
teacher. Compare John 3:10. Greek. didaskalos. App-98. John 3:4.
come from God. Render: "Thou art come from God as Teacher".
from. Greek. apo. App-104.
God. App-98.
no man. no one. Compound of ou. App-105.
miracles. signs. See note on John 2:11.
doest. art doing.
except. if... not. Greek. ean me. App-118 and App-105.
with. Greek. meta. App-104.
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John 3:3 open_in_new
answered and said. A Hebraism. See note on Deuteronomy 1:41. App-122.
Verily, verily. See note on John 1:51.
a man. any one.
born. begotten. See note on Matthew 1:2.
again. from above. Greek. anothen. from above: i.e. by Divine power, as in John 3:31; John 19:11; John 19:23.Matthew 27:51.Mark 15:38; Luke 1:3.James 1:17; James 3:15; James 3:17. The Talmud uses this figure, as applied to proselytes.
cannot. is not (Greek. ou. App-105) able to.
see. Greek. eidon. App-133.
the kingdom of God. App-114. Occurs in John only here and in John 3:5.
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John 3:4 open_in_new
unto. Greek. pros. App-104.
How... ? Note other such questions, John 4:9; 1 Corinthians 15:35. All answered by "the gift of God "(John 3:16; John 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:38). The question implies. negative answer,
be born. Nicodemus misunderstands, and uses the Verb gennao of the mother. The Lord uses it of the Father, as meaning begetting.
old. Applying it to his own case.
into. Greek. eis. App-104.
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John 3:5 open_in_new
of water, &c.. of water and spirit. No Art. Figure of speech Hendiadys (App-6). Not two things, but one, by which the latter Noun becomes. superlative and emphatic Adjective, determining the meaning and nature of the former Noun, showing that one to be spiritual water: i.e. not water but spirit. It is to be rendered "of water-yea, spiritual water". Compare Ephesians 5:26, and See John 7:38; John 7:39 and Ezekiel 36:25-27 for the "earthly things" of John 3:12.
enter. Showing what the Lord meant by "see", in John 3:3.
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John 3:6 open_in_new
That which is born. That (Neuter) which has been begotten. Note the difference between this Perfect here and in John 3:8 and the Aorists in verses: John 3:3; John 3:3; John 3:4; John 3:5; John 3:7.
flesh. See note on John 1:13.
the Spirit: the Holy Spirit (with Art.) See App-101.
is spirit. This is. fundamental law, both in nature and grace.
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John 3:7 open_in_new
not. Greek. me App-105.
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John 3:8 open_in_new
The wind. The Spirit. The word pneuma, Occurs 385 times, and is rendered "wind" only here. It should be translated Spirit, as at end of verse. "Wind" is anemos. Occurs 31 times, and is always so rendered.
bloweth. breatheth.
it listeth. He willeth. App-102. The
Eng. "listeth" is Old Eng. for Anglo-Saxon lusteth; i.e. pleaseth or desireth.
the sound thereof. His voice.
canst not tell. knowest not. Greek. oida. App-132.
not. Greek. ou. App-105.
is born. has been begotten, as in John 3:6.
the Spirit: completing the Figure of speech Epanadiplosis (App-6),
converting this verse into. most solemn and independent statement of facts.
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John 3:9 open_in_new
these things. See Jeremiah 31:33; Jeremiah 32:39; Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 18:31; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Psalms 51:10.
be. come to pass. Reference to John 3:4.
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John 3:12 open_in_new
If Ihave. Assuming it as. fact. App-118.
earthly things. Eze 36:25-27. 1 Corinthians 15:40; Colossians 3:2; 2 Corinthians 5:1.Philippians 1:2; Philippians 1:10; Philippians 3:19.
believe. App-150. i. See note on John 1:7.
if. tell. Supposing. tell. App-118.
heavenly. Plural of epouranios. Occurs only here and Matthew 18:35 in the Gospels. See Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 1:20; Ephesians 2:6; Ephesians 3:10; Ephesians 6:12.Philippians 2:10, &c.
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John 3:13 open_in_new
And, &c. The kai (= And) here is. Hebraism, and does not mark the actual transition. There is nothing whatever in the context to show where the Paragraph breaks should be in this chapter; either in the MSS., or in the Versions. The Authorized Version varies in its different editions. The Authorized Version text in the Revised Version Parallel Bible has. at John 3:14 and John 3:16. The Camb. Paragraph Bible (Dr. Scrivener) has no break either at verses: John 3:3; John 3:14 or 16. The Revised Version has. break only at John 3:16, with WI and Scrivener's Greek Text. The Companion Bible makes the important break at John 3:13, (1) because the Past Tenses which follow indicate completed events; (2) because the expression "only begotten Son "is not used. y the Lord of Himself; but only by the Evangelist (John 1:14; John 1:18; John 3:16; John 3:18; 1 John 4:9); (3) because "in the name of" (John 3:18) is not used by the Lord, but by the Evangelist (John 1:12; John 2:23; 1 John 5:13); (4) because to do the truth (John 3:21) Occurs elsewhere only in 1 John 1:6. (5) because "Who is in heaven "(John 3:13) points to the fact that the Lord had already ascended at the time John wrote; (6) because the word "lifted up" refers both to the "sufferings. (John 3:14; John 8:28; John 12:32; John 12:34) and to "the glory which should follow" (John 8:28; John 12:32.Acts 2:33; Acts 5:31); and (7) because the break at John 3:13 accords best with the context, as shown by the Structure B, above.
hath ascended. hath gone up (of himself). It does not say: "hath been taken up by God, "as Enoch and Elijah. But Christ had "gone up" when the Evangelist wrote these words. ascended. Greek. anabaino. As in John 1:51; John 2:13; John 5:1; John 7:8, &c. Matthew 20:17; Mark 6:51.Romans 10:6.
to. into. Greek. eis. App-104. Compare Deuteronomy 30:12.Proverbs 30:4.Acts 2:34.Romans 10:6; Ephesians 4:10.
heaven. the heaven. See note on Matthew 6:9; Matthew 6:10.
but. except, literal. if not. Greek. ei me.
came down. Greek katabaino. The opposite of "gone up".
from. out of. Greek. ek. App-104. Not the same word as in John 3:2.
the Son of Man. See App-98.
Which is, &c. Who is, &c., and was there when John wrote. This clause is in the Syriac, but is omitted by WI, and put by Revised Version in the margin. Omit "even".
in. Greek. en. App-104.
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John 3:14 open_in_new
as. even as. Reference to Numbers 21:9.
Moses. See note on John 1:17 and Matthew 8:4.
must. it behoved to, in order to fulfil the prophetic Scripture. See Luke 24:26; Luke 24:46; Acts 3:18; Acts 17:3, and compare Hebrews 2:9; Hebrews 2:10.
be lifted up. See note on John 3:13.
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John 3:15 open_in_new
whosoever. every one who. As here defined. believeth in. See App-150. (See note on John 1:7.). reads epi; Lm. Tr.. WI and. read en. but have. Figure of speech Pleonasm (App-6), for emph. The phrases "bath", "have eternal life", are the usual expressions in this Gospel for "live for ever "(App-151. a). Compare verses: John 3:16; John 3:36; John 5:24; John 6:40; John 6:47, Joh 6:54. 1 John 3:15; 1 John 3:5; 1 John 3:11.
eternal. Greek. aionios. App-151. i: i.e. in Him. Compare 1 John 5:12.
life. See note on John 1:4. App-170.
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John 3:17 open_in_new
sent. Greek. apostello. App-174.
to condemn. to judge. Greek krino. App-122. A characteristic word of this Gospel. See note on p. 1511.
through. Greek. dia. App-104.John 3:1.
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John 3:18 open_in_new
the name: i.e. Him. See note on Psalms 20:1.
Son of God. See App-98.
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John 3:19 open_in_new
this is. this is what it consists in; viz:
condemnation. judging: i.e. the process rather than the result. Greek. krisis. App-177.
light. the light. App-130. See note on John 1:4.
men. the men. As. class. App-123.
darkness. the darkness.
deeds. works. Plural of ergon.. characteristic word of this Gospel. See note on p. 1511.
evil. Greek. poneros. active evil. App-128.
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John 3:20 open_in_new
doeth. practises, or (habitually) does. Greek. prasso
evil. Greek. phaulos. worthless, base. Occurs only here; John 5:29; Titus 2:8; James 3:16, in Rec. Text, but in Romans 9:11; 2 Corinthians 5:10, in most texts for kakos. Here, plural worthless things.
neither. and... not. Greek. ou. App-105.
reproved = brought home to him. Compare John 16:8 (convince).
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John 3:21 open_in_new
doeth. Actively produces, having regard to the object and end of the action. Greek. poieo. Compare the two verbs, prasso and poieo, in. similar connexion in John 6:29.
truth. the truth. Greek aletheia. App-175. A characteristic word of this Gospel. See note on John 1:14.
made manifest. Greek phaneroo. App-106.
are. have been, and still continue to be.
wrought in God: i.e. in His fear, or in His strength.
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John 3:23 open_in_new
AEnon. Springs. Now Farah. The springs near Umm al `Amdan, 7.5 miles below Beisan.
Salim. Still so called; east of Shechem.
much water. many waters (i.e. springs).
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John 3:25 open_in_new
Then. Therefore: i.e. on account of the facts stated in verses: John 3:22-24.
question. questioning.
between some of. [on the part] of. Greek ek. App-104.
and. with. Greek. meta. App-104. the Jews. All the texts read "a Jew". Greek. Ioudaion, with Syriac. But it has been suggested that Iou was the primitive abbreviation for Iesou (= of Jesus), and being repeated (by inadvertence) led to the reading Iou[daion] (=. Jew). This would agree better with verses: John 3:22-24. with "Therefore" in John 3:26, and with the action of John's disciples, and John's answer. See the Structure H2 above.
about. concerning. Greek. peri. App-104.
purifying. purification. Compare John 2:6; Luke 2:22; Luke 5:14.
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John 3:26 open_in_new
barest witness. hast borne witness. See note on John 1:7.
behold. Greek ide. App-133. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.
all. This was the gravamen.
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John 3:27 open_in_new
receive. take [upon himself].
nothing. Greek. ou ouden.. double negative.
be given. have been given.
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John 3:28 open_in_new
the Christ. the Messiah. App-98.
sent. App-174.
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John 3:29 open_in_new
the friend, &c. He played. very important part in the wedding ceremonies.
rejoiceth greatly. Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6). Greek. chara chairei. joyeth with joy.
because of. Greek. dia. App-104.John 3:2.
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John 3:31 open_in_new
from above. Greek anothen, same as "again" in John 3:3. earth. Greek. ge. App-129.
earthly. of the earth.
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John 3:32 open_in_new
heard. Not "hath heard".
testimony. Greek. marturia. See note on "witness", John 1:7.
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John 3:33 open_in_new
true. App-175. A characteristic word of this Gospel. See p. 1611.
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John 3:34 open_in_new
words. Greek. Plural of rhema. See note on Mark 9:32.
for God, &c. Greek."for the Spirit giveth not [the words of God] by measure [unto Him]".
God. [L]. [Tr.]. WH R., not Syriac, omit "God" here.
the Spirit. With Art. the Giver, not the gift. App-101. This was by measure unto John, but not unto the Lord. Compare John 15:26; Matthew 11:27. What John saw and heard was limited (verses: John 3:27-30).
by. Greek. ek. App-104.
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John 3:35 open_in_new
The Father. See note on John 1:14,
into. Greek en. App-104.
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John 3:36 open_in_new
believeth not. obeyeth not. Greek. apeitheo. Compare App-150. See note on John 1:7. Only here in John.
shall not see. will not see. Note the future here, in contrast with "hath".
see. App-183.
wrath. [permanent] wrath. Greek orge; as in Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:16, &c. Not thumos, which. [temporary] wrath.
abideth. Present tense. See note on John 1:32.
on. upon. Greek. epi. App-104.