John 3:31
What does John 3:31 mean?
A plain-English look at John 3:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 3:31 means
John further emphasizes Jesus's unique superiority by stating, "He that cometh from above is above all." This reaffirms Jesus's divine origin and inherent authority over all creation. In contrast, "he that is of the earth is of the earth, and of the earth he speaketh," referring to himself and humanity in general. We are limited by our earthly nature, while Jesus, as the one who "cometh from heaven," possesses universal knowledge and authority.
John 3:31 in context
John 3 — You Must Be Born Again
By night a Pharisee named Nicodemus comes to Jesus, half-confessing him as a teacher sent from God. Jesus cuts past the compliment: 'except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' Religion will not do; reformation will not do; only a new birth by water and the Spirit. The chapter rises to the most-quoted verse in the Bible — 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son' — and ends with John the Baptist's last public testimony: 'He must increase, but I must decrease.'
- New birth
- The Spirit
- God's love for the world
- Faith and life
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is of the earth, and of the earth he speaketh: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is of the earth, and of the earth he speaketh: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He who comes from heaven is greater than all others: he who comes from earth is of the earth, and of the earth are his words: he who comes from heaven is over all.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862he who from above is coming is above all; he who is from the earth, from the earth he is, and from the earth he speaketh; he who from the heaven is coming is above all.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He that cometh from above is above all. He that is of the earth, of the earth he is, and of the earth he speaketh. He that cometh from heaven is above all.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He who comes from above is above all. He who has his origin in the earth is of the earth, and speaks [as] of the earth. He who comes out of heaven is above all,
Context
Following his essential declaration of Christ's necessary increase, John now provides the theological basis for Jesus's supremacy. This verse contrasts Jesus's heavenly origin with human, earthly limitations, establishing Christ's unique position as "above all." This explanation of Jesus’s divine authority directly leads to the trustworthiness of His testimony and the nature of His message from God.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 10:36
The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)—
- Romans 9:5
whose are the fathers, and of whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
- John 8:23
And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
- 1 Corinthians 15:47
The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is of heaven.
- John 3:12
If I told you earthly things and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you heavenly things?
- 1 John 4:5
They are of the world: therefore speak they as of the world, and the world heareth them.
Sermon ideas from John 3:31
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 3:31 teaches us about new birth
What John 3:31 teaches us about the spirit
What John 3:31 teaches us about god's love for the world
What John 3:31 teaches us about faith and life
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