John 3:32
What does John 3:32 mean?
A plain-English look at John 3:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 3:32 means
This verse reinforces the absolute trustworthiness of Jesus's testimony. Because He comes from heaven, He bears witness to what He has "seen and heard" directly from God. However, John laments that "no man receiveth his witness." This highlights the tragic reality that despite Jesus's perfect knowledge and divine authority, many reject His truth, echoing earlier themes from his gospel about humanity's resistance to divine light.
John 3:32 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 · 2000What he hath seen and heard, of that he beareth witness; and no man receiveth his witness.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901What he hath seen and heard, of that he beareth witness; and no man receiveth his witness.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He gives witness of what he has seen and of what has come to his ears; and no man takes his witness as true.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And what he hath seen and heard this he doth testify, and his testimony none receiveth;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth: and no man receiveth his testimony.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890[and] what he has seen and has heard, this he testifies; and no one receives his testimony.
Context
Building on Jesus's unique heavenly origin, John now affirms the absolute truthfulness of Christ's testimony. This verse asserts that Jesus speaks from direct, divine observation, yet laments the widespread rejection of His message. This statement sets up a stark contrast between those who reject Jesus's witness and the profound spiritual benefit for those who do receive it, leading to the seal of God's truth.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 5:20
For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and greater works than these will he show him, that ye may marvel.
- John 8:26
I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you: howbeit he that sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these speak I unto the world.
- John 3:11
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that which we know, and bear witness of that which we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
- John 1:11
He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not.
- John 3:33
He that hath received his witness hath set his seal to this, that God is true.
- John 15:15
No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father I have made known unto you.
Sermon ideas from John 3:32
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 3:32 teaches us about new birth
What John 3:32 teaches us about the spirit
What John 3:32 teaches us about god's love for the world
What John 3:32 teaches us about faith and life
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