John 3:33
What does John 3:33 mean?
A plain-English look at John 3:33 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 3:33 means
In contrast to those who reject Jesus's witness, this verse states the profound spiritual consequence for those who do receive it. The one who has accepted Christ's testimony has, in essence, "set his seal to this, that God is true." To believe Jesus is to affirm the truthfulness and faithfulness of God Himself. It's a personal endorsement of divine revelation, indicating a deep trust and alignment with God's character and Word.
John 3:33 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 hath received his witness hath set his seal to this, that God is true.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He that hath received his witness hath set his seal to this, that God is true.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He who so takes his witness has made clear his faith that God is true.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862he who is receiving his testimony did seal that God is true;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He that has received his testimony has set to his seal thatGod is true;
Context
Following the lament that many do not receive Christ's witness, this verse presents the positive consequence for those who do. It highlights the profound act of faith involved in receiving Jesus's testimony, aligning oneself with the truthfulness of God. This affirmation of God's truth then leads to a deeper explanation of Jesus as the one sent by God, speaking His very words and endowed with the Spirit.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 1:13
in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,—in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
- Titus 1:1
Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,
- Revelation 7:3
saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we shall have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.
- 2 Corinthians 1:22
who also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
- 1 John 5:9
If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for the witness of God is this, that he hath borne witness concerning his Son.
- John 6:27
Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed.
Sermon ideas from John 3:33
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 3:33 teaches us about new birth
What John 3:33 teaches us about the spirit
What John 3:33 teaches us about god's love for the world
What John 3:33 teaches us about faith and life
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