John 3:31-36
 
John 3:31 (KJB)
He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
 
The first “He” is speaking about the Lord Jesus Christ who came from Heaven. He is above all the creation and that includes all of mankind. Jesus came to earth and spoke of heavenly things and he spoke of earthly things. John, like the rest of the human race can only speak of earthly things since everyone on earth was born in Adam. The sacrifices came from the earth, the living that people made came from the earth, and even we were created from the earth. John now states that since Jesus was from Heaven, He spoke of the heavenly things which transcend the earthly things. For example, water baptism, which is tied to this world cannot save a soul but the baptism that the Lord Jesus Christ gives saves a soul forever and that baptism comes from Heaven. Jesus being the Lord has come from Heaven and He is above all and no one on earth holds a higher position than He does. Just because He was humble, did not mean that He ceased to be God.
 
John 3:32 (KJB)
And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
 
Here John continues to speak of Jesus concerning the heavenly testimony that He brought to earth with Him. Jesus had seen and heard an eternity of things in Heaven but because man is unable to understand anything spiritual apart from the new birth, they are spiritually blind and will not receive the things pertaining to salvation and Heaven.
 
John 3:33 (KJB)
He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
 
Here John speaks of himself as one of millions who was saved and will become saved. Those whom God has qualified to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior will also set their seal that God is true. A seal is something that is placed upon a document whereby the one who sealed it gives approbation to the contents. This is not an official seal because we do not walk around as a Notary Public but the seal is the testimony given by those who are saved. They know God is true and their testimonies and their actions based upon that belief is basically the seal of approval. Only those who are truly saved will have the testimony of the truth of God for what can a spiritually dead sinner testify about God?
 
John 3:34 (KJB)
For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
 
Measure - A limitation or something used to measure a certain amount like a vessel

Here John the Baptist is testifying of the ministry he received from God. He is telling us that the words which he spoke concerning Jesus was given to him by God. John was not speaking from his own mind or making up some philosophy. The words he spoke were given by God because God was now introducing His Son to the world. (Mark 13:11 KJV) But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Mark 13:11 speaks of the persecution which believers will face during the New Testament age but the principle contained in this verse is applicable to all believers including John. John was to preach the word which God gave him concerning His Son and the true believer is to proclaim the true word of God and we are not to change anything but preach the words which God gave by inspiration. The second half of this verse speaks about receiving the Holy Spirit by measure. This means that the Holy Spirit would empower us in certain situations when needed and would relax His indwelling when we are in rest mode. As believers, we have received the fullness of the Holy Spirit and we are not given the Holy Spirit and His power according to the day we are having. We are always in the fulness of the Holy Spirit. (Eph 1:3 KJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Eph. 1:3 teaches us that we have been blessed with all spiritual blessings which means nothing has been withheld or measured.

In the last phrase the translators had added two words which are not in the Greek but add proper meaning to the phrase, “unto him.” Just as in old times whether it be the prophets or the Apostles or any believer, we have the Holy Spirit in measure, yet in the fullness, according to the spiritual gifts He places in us. In contrast, Christ has the fullness of the Holy Spirit without any type of measure in any situation or ministry. Just to summarize, we have the Holy Spirit in measure but unto Him, that is, Christ, He has the fullness without any measure or limitations. A measure denotes some type of limitation and that would indicate we are limited because we do not heal, raise the dead, or do other miracles even though we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. Christ could heal, raise the dead, and do other miracles because the Holy Spirit in Him, was not by measure or limited in any way.
 
John 3:35 (KJB)
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
 
John is stating here about the eternal bond of love between the Father and the Son. This passage is not making a statement that the Son is any less God than the Father. It is stating that Jesus now has every resource of the Father now under His authority. Some of the things which God has given to Jesus is the redemption of the Elect of God, the keeping of the Christian, Judgment on the last day. (John 5:22 KJV) For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: The reason I say some of the things because it is impossible to know everything which transpires between the Father and the Son.
 
John 3:36 (KJB)
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Here is a synopsis of the witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who believe on the Son have everlasting life. These are the ones who are born again. Since they have the Son, they have the Father. We must keep in mind that those who believe have been qualified to believe by God.
 
(1 John 4:15 KJV) Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
 
(1 John 5:12 KJV) He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
 
The second half of John 3:36 states that those who believeth not the Son, that is, those who reject Him because they are unsaved will always be under the wrath of God. All unsaved people are under God’s wrath as if they have already been judged on the last day. There are many world religions who reject Christ as the Son but think that if they bypass Him they can go right to the Father and these verses state emphatically that if you reject the Son, you do not have the Father. In essence, any religion that rejects Christ has no one to hear them. They are on their own, a very bad place to be.
 
(1 John 2:23 KJV) Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
 
(2 John 1:9 KJV) Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
 
Back