John 3

Chapter Introduction

“The truest end of life is to know the life that never ends.”

-- William Penn

We began to talk about purpose and timing last chapter as we see there are no coincidences, no chance meetings of average men with the messiah. We come to understand these are divine appointments with a purpose. It's not just the bridegroom’s lucky day that Jesus was invited to that wedding that ran out of wine. It was a teaching moment, maybe for several there as well as for us. John certainly thought it was a defining moment. It was Jesus in the center of an everyday occurrence, normal people blessed by a move of God.

Everything in the life of Jesus was pointing toward the cross and resurrection. He was (and still is) the lamb of God that came to take away sin. Even cleaning out the vendors at the temple pointed toward redemption. Sin had made its way into the very house of God. Jesus used that moment of confrontation to point from the physical temple that had become so religious they had rooted out God. He drew them away from the temple to His own body which would be sacrificed for them.

When the statement about destroying the temple was brought up at his trial, the testimony they offered for the purpose of getting rid of Jesus became a reminder of this prophetic statement right before it was brought to completion. The disciples came to understood that Jesus was talking about his own body.

All along the way, Jesus did many signs and wonders. In response we've seen the belief of the disciples. This is life changing belief, life altering as they left their homes, businesses and families to follow Jesus.

John 2:22b-25

We seem to see 3 different kinds of belief in these last few verses. In each case the same word is used.

The belief of the disciples in verse 22. They believed the scripture and the word Jesus said. John notes that this wasn’t until later, after He had risen from the dead.
During the Passover Jesus had done other signs and many believed (verse 23). Many believed. But this was apparently some intellectual acknowledgment that He was something special. It wasn't true belief in the snese that it never made it from the head to the heart. No change was rendered. There was no new life.
The 3rd time the word for belief is used is in reference to the response of Jesus. “Jesus did not commit Himself to them,” it says. The word ‘commit’ is the same word translated belief. Jesus didn't belief in their belief. He knew the heart of these men.

Jesus knows the sin nature of man and his ability to be deceived and deceive himself. Jesus isn't fooled. He knew that many people will superficially believe without the change of heart. Even the demons know who Jesus is and tremble. Not everyone who knows who He is will put their faith in Him.

The Lord didn’t need the glory and recognition of men. He received glory from the Father. This idea leads us into chapter three when Nicodemus came to Jesus.

John had just shown us the empty vessels of the law being filled with new wine. Now, the empty religion at the temple was being purged and filled with Jesus. In the next chapter, we see a man, possessing the law, being told He must be filled with Jesus.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

NKJV; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1982, Thomas Nelson

John 3:1

The heart of the problem.

Once upon a time, there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. Nicodemus exemplified those folks who believed in Jesus in some sense. However, their faith was so inadequate that Jesus did not entrust himself to them.

The Pharisees are most often portrayed as greedy, hypocrites who had no sense of justice. We picture these guys as being overly concerned with fulfilling the literal details of the law. In doing so, they were too busy to put holiness and godly character to work in this world. They were so proud of their laws they couldn't see the grace it was meant to lead them to. In reality, the Pharisees were just a small part of Judaism. They had just come to some significant power around the time of Jesus.

In John 8:40 the Pharisees claim Abraham as their father. Jesus challenged that claim to which the Pharisees tell Jesus He was born of fornication. He straightened them out, explaining that God was His Father. He was sent forth from Him. The Devil was their father and their desires were consistent with his. Wow! This heated debate gives us a glimpse into the attitude of the Pharisees.

Not all Pharisees were bad people. Not all that the Pharisees did was bad. However, the works of the Pharisees as a whole are characterized as opposed to Jesus. They may not have considered themselves as an enemy of Jesus but they were certainly were playing the part.

John introduces us to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and probably a member of the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was the ruling council of _A.D.70. That would put Nicodemus in a place of authority, someone respected. This meant he was probably financially well off and from a very prominent family. He was a man of high moral character, deep religious hunger, and yet, profound spiritual blindness.

John 3:2-3

Jesus already had crowds following Him. He was becoming known for the signs and wonders. The news had reached the ruling council. They had to be asking themselves, "Who is this man Jesus that everyone is talking about?" Nicodemus came to Jesus by night to investigate. John makes sure we know it was at night. This could be for several reasons.

It was then that teachers studied and had deep conversations.
It needed to be secret because he was there for personal inquiry.
He could get time with Jesus without the interference of the crowds.

While any of these might be true, it is more likely that John included this as a play on his theme of light and darkness. Nicodemus was an example of those to which Jesus came and had been rejected. He was the true light that had come into the world. Nicodemus would make that case that men love darkness instead of light.

Nicodemus acknowledges Jesus as a great teacher. He even acknowledged him as a teacher who came from God. He called Jesus 'rabbi' which is a title of respect. However, he placed himself before Jesus as a student to be taught, rather than Lord. The signs Jesus had done revealed to Nic that God was with Him.

Jesus responded first with a preface of “Most assuredly.” This is a translation of “amen, amen.” Jesus confirms with intensity the words he is about to speak. He explains to Nicodemus that it would take more than seeing and acknowledging signs to see the kingdom of God. Acknowledging that God worked through Jesus to provide some amazing signs didn't save anyone, it didn't bring them into the kingdom.

This talk of the kingdom was something Nicodemus understood. The Pharisees were all about God's kingdom. They were looking for a Messiah as their coming King who would bring the kingdom. When Jesus mentioned the kingdom, He was speaking a language Nicodemus understood. To Nicodemus Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Jesus is saying, Nicodemus, if you want to see that Kingdom you long for, you must be born again.

I told you earlier we would see a contrast between these different kinds of beliefs. This being 'born again' is the belief that is required. It is a spiritual rebirth after having died to yourself. Genuine belief in Jesus Christ begins with a clear understanding of your personal need and His ability to meet that need. One can't be born again until he comes to a willingness to first put the old man to death. You are responsible for this decision but the Holy Spirit will aid in this process.

The result of this spiritual understanding is repentance - a turning away from that old life. This leads the repentant to a new life. The work is then all done by Jesus, by Grace. All you do is decide to accept the free gift.

There are many who believe in God but don't know Jesus. Or they know there is a man named Jesus but never conducted their own investigation. They may celebrate Christmas and Resurrection Sunday. They may even come to church every Sunday, but if there is no repentance that leads to the death of the old man, the man of sin, then there is no rebirth and there is no salvation.

Many in the world say that is harsh and close minded. But that's what the bible says. Their issue is with God or more likely they love their sin. It is the Adam nature that wants to rule and reign autonomously. We want all the blessings of creation without the creator.

Nicodemus came representing a religious group saying, "we know you are a man from God." Jesus knew what was in a man. Nicodemus was dark hearted, full of sin, proud and without hope. What does Jesus do? He loves him enough to offer him a solution, a way to forgiveness. Jesus responded by talking to Nicodemus.

Notice that Nicodemus came as a "we" in verse two as though he was inquiring for the council. Jesus made it personal for him, saying “you!” I can imagine Nicodemus is squirming a little.

John 3:4

Nicodemus wanted clarification. He obviously knew you couldn't experience physical birth again. This appears to be sarcasm on Nicodemus’s part, probably born of the discomfort when Jesus spoke directly to him with such authority. He was not used to such things. In spite of seeking, a defensive pride shows itself.

This is a religious leader, prominent, wise and recognized by all, being told he was standing in spiritual blindness. He was, however, looking in the right direction. He was seeking and looking and the answer was right before him.

John 3:5

Once again, Jesus begins with, “Amen, amen!” This is like saying, “Pay attention, this is important.”

Jesus further explains that being born again is being born of water and the Spirit. This being born of "water and the Spirit' is a source of some mystery (and maybe contention). Many bible scholars differ on what being born of the water may mean. Does it mean baptismal washing (cleansing)? Baptismal repentance (rising from the baptismal waters)? Or, is it talking about physical birth followed by spiritual rebirth (twice born). Others say born of water is a reference to being washed in the word of God. While still others insist and bring evidence that this is spiritual water and another way of speaking of regeneration. All those make sense and are in some way consistent with other places in scripture. Maybe we are to consider all of these things.

However, if we look to the thief on the cross, we find that his repentance came about after he was nailed to the cross. Jesus promised him that by days end he would be in paradise with Jesus. This is a pretty incredible ending to a pretty horrible day. This man had no exposure to the word and he wasn’t baptized. He simply believed that Jesus was who He said He was. He was born a second time, while nailed to a cross. This leads me to believe that being born of water is the physical birth coming forth from amniotic water of process. No one was ever saved by birth alone. Being born a Jew or a descendent of a holy man did not do it. We are born in sin, we each must find our place before God, it is not an inheritance or ethnic tradition. Each must be born of the Spirit by repentance and faith. The spiritual rebirth is eternal life that can be found in the midst of physical life and eternal death.

Maybe, instead of getting hung up on water, we should note the more important word in that passage, "unless". Regardless of how you view the washing of water, the passage speaks of a spiritual regeneration, the process of being born again. Unless there is regeneration, you cannot enter the kingdom of God.

There are several, if not many, denominations holding church on Sunday morning that teach everyone goes to heaven. They speak to a people who are being deceived and find comfort in deceptive teaching while ignoring the words of Jesus. Unless there is regeneration, a divine remaking of the heart, you cannot enter the Kingdom of God.

To the Jews, the Lord said:

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. ²⁶I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

NKJV; Ezekiel 36:25-27; 1982, Thomas Nelson

John 3:6-8

Birth of the flesh is natural birth. Birth of the spirit is supernatural birth. These supernatural things shouldn't have been something that a man like Nicodemus marveled at. He was a man of the Old Testament scriptures. When Jesus told him he shouldn't be surprised, this was a rebuke. And may well have been a rebuke for all those that Nicodemus represented. Nicodemus was not used to being rebuked, especially by carpenter from Nazareth. Nicodemus must have been a little uncomfortable by now. This wasn’t hubris, this was authority with which Jesus spoke.

All Nicodemus believed and all he'd ever known spiritually was being challenged. It’s that way with all men, is it not? We all are inclined to be our own god until we come to the knowledge of our own failing before the Living God. With all that Nicodemus knew of the scriptures, the pieces ought to be falling into place. He should have recognized the Messiah. What was missing? Why didn't he see?

Jesus spoke of this supernatural work as being like the wind. God brings the breeze when and how and in what measure He chooses. We can't see it but we can feel the effects of it. We don't know where it comes from or where it goes. It's the same way for those born again.

Another way of looking at this is that if you can explain what happened to you in human terms, it's not a spiritual rebirth.

The path to rebirth is entered into by coming to the end of yourself, being broken, realizing your hopelessness among other things. We have the stark realization that I'm not in good standing with God and if something happened, I'd spend eternity in hell. In the face of our weakness and depravity, we can see the provision of God. We can see the sin debt we owe and the wrath of God we deserve. We see His holiness, righteousness and the justice we will face. It is then when Jesus makes sense to us.

Being born again is often described as new life, freedom from bondage, of feeling lighter, having new eyes, new outlook and the understanding that all things are new. It goes on and on, even into eternity. Every attempt to describe with words falling pitifully short.

John 3:9-12

Nicodemus stands in front of the light of the world but his heart remains dark. The teacher of the Jews knew the facts recorded in the scriptures, but he could not understand the truths behind them. Nicodemus was trying desperately to maintain this position of being an investigator for the council, but Jesus was speaking to him personally. He was a teacher of Israel, yet he didn’t know the spiritual truths behind what he taught.

Jesus again prefaced His comment with an “Amen, amen!”

Who is the "we" Jesus speaks of? We speak, we know and we testify to what we have seen. This may be a reference to Jesus and His disciples. They’ve heard the testimony and seen the signs. They bear witness. In my bible the 'We' statements are all capitalized as if the 'We' is the trinity. The “We” that eyewitnesses to the kingdom of heaven are the “We” that have seen it. Jesus came down to men to lead them to the kingdom. Nicodemus would not receive the witness.

Jesus spoke of earthly things to Nicodemus. And if he couldn't believe those things, how would he ever believe spiritual things? The earthly were the water, wind and the flesh. These are earthly things that could be understood, touched, smelled, and measured in some way. Jesus used these things to try to explain the spiritual. It's like He said to Nicodemus, ‘If you can't grasp this discussion with earthly analogies there is no hope you could grasp spiritual things outright.’ These spiritual things come by believing, many times in spite of what we see and feel and can measure.

John 3:13

There was a Jewish tradition that when Moses ascended Mount Sinai he went up to heaven to receive the law. He came down and bore witness to the law. Jesus may be answering this tradition held by Nicodemus. Along the same thought, Jesus was not to be compared with Enoch who walked with God and was not, for God took him. Or Elijah who was taken bodily to heaven in a chariot of fire. The Old Testament men of God are not to be compared with Jesus.

No one had ascended to heaven speaks of Jesus’ heavenly origin. Jesus originated from heaven, uniquely qualifying him to speak of heavenly things. He is the only immortal man – immortality being an attribute of God. The men of God Nicodemus may be thinking of as being heavenly inherited eternal life.

He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

NKJV; 1 Timothy 6:15-16; 1982, Thomas Nelson

This is a statement of exclusivity. Jesus is the only way. It destroys this man's argument and what appears to be Nicodemus’s argument, which says, “I see the signs and they are nice. You are a man from God but I have my own understanding, I have the law.” This is a close cousin to man’s belief today that they are a good person and thus qualified for heaven. They have no basis to determine they are qualified other than their own belief and feelings.

This kind of thinking has always been around. If Jesus made a statement like that in public today and even in many churches, He might be arrested for hate speech. The world might be ready to crucify Him again because of His intolerance.

John 3:14-15

We need to go to Numbers 21 to see where Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness. The Israelites were on the way to the Promised Land. The trip took an extra forty years because of rebellion and failure to enter into the land. The next generation had become discouraged and they spoke against Moses. The Lord sent fiery serpents among the people. The fire may be a reference to color or the fiery burning of the venom. The people then came to Moses confessing they had sinned and spoken against the Lord. They requested that Moses pray the serpents would be removed. Moses prayed and the Lord told Moses to make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole. Those who had been bitten should look upon it and live.

Jesus said, just like this serpent was lifted up by Moses in the wilderness as a remedy to the sin of these people, so will the Son of Man be lifted up. And whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. The brass speaks of judgment; the serpent speaks of sin. The snake lifted on a pole is the curse of sin judged. It was an Old Testament picture of Jesus on the cross. In the same way that serpent was lifted up, Jesus was to be lifted up, bearing our sin. Whoever looks to him will be saved from their curse. This belief of looking to Jesus is the belief of someone snake bit, facing death, and willing to bet their last breath by faith on the hope that is set before them. Jesus just put himself right in the middle of the Old Testament scriptures; right in the middle of Nicodemus's belief system.

This serpent was rightful judgment of the rebellious people. The serpent on the pole was the picture of their sin being lifted up and judged. In a similar way, Jesus would be lifted up. Our sin would be judged in Him on the cross. Not only that, but He would over come the sin and death we deserve. Raised again, He would be ‘lifted up’ to heaven. The event in Numbers was a small picture of the incredible provision of God that was then right before Nicodemus.

Belief in the Son of Man would bring that person to eternal life. (Belief – born of water and spirit).

John 3:16

This is how much God loved the world. He gave His Son, only begotten. Nicodemus would liken the ‘only begotten’ to Isaac that Abraham took to the top of Mount Moriah. Because he brought his only begotten, we see the greatness of his sacrifice. The ‘greatness’ is far greater when offered by God the Father. It is one time, for all of the world, across the ages, for of sin.

This is the basis of the gospel and the basis of all love. God gave us his son, His greatest gift, so that we can receive eternal life. This life can is received immediately up on being forgiven, but the culmination of that life is yet to come.

This life is attained by what Jesus did, not by anything a person could be or do. Man’s worth, value, education, ethnicity, heritage, forefathers offer nothing to the process and in many cases interfere with seeing the gospel truth.

Our unbelief was no better or worse than that of the Israelites in the wilderness. We sinned greatly against a perfect God. Instead of giving us what we deserve, He provided a remedy leading to restored fellowship with Him.

We simply require regeneration to have fellowship with the Lord. If we look to the cross, acknowledge our sin and trust that Jesus is the Son who paid that fine, our sins are forgiven and regeneration will occur. One will be instantly born of the Spirit, born again. One will pass from death to life. One moment in the grip of the threat of eternal death. In the next breath, destined for eternity in paradise with our Lord. Incredible.

James Montgomery Boice summed up verse sixteen this way.

“God (the greatest Lover) so loved (the greatest degree) the world (the greatest company), that he gave (the greatest act) his only begotten Son (the greatest gift), that whosoever (the greatest opportunity) believeth (the greatest simplicity) in him (the greatest attraction) should not perish (the greatest promise), but (the greatest difference) have (the greatest certainty) everlasting life (the greatest possession).”

Boice, J. M. (2005).

The Gospel of John: an expositional commentary

(pp. 234–235). Baker Books.

John 3:17

The rest of the story.

Almighty, all powerful, sovereign God has every right and reason to condemn us for all the years of unbelief, for the lies we told, for the blasphemy and disrespect, for having a murderous and adulterous heart. For all this He would be right to squash us where we stand. God would be right in striking us down and sending us to hell. But He didn't, and doesn't because He loves us. He instead provided the remedy, by the blood of Christ.

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, ²in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, ³among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

NKJV; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1982, Thomas Nelson

Before we were redeemed, we were children of wrath. God's wrath was upon us even though we didn't know it, even though we wouldn't agree that we deserved it.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

NKJV; Ephesians 2:4-7; 1982, Thomas Nelson

Jesus came to save mankind that was already under condemnation. Those who believe are saved from condemnation born of sin. The unbeliever retains their condemnation, by choice. Others want desperately for there to be another way, but there is not. There is but one way.

If someone hands you a breath mint and says, "Here, trust me, you need this." You'd be thinking, "Hey, I think he just said I had bad breath." The mint informed you of the need. The mint didn't condemn you. Your mouth was condemned already. Rejecting the mint, doesn’t make your problem go away.

When Jesus is presented to men, He is presented as the kind offering to bring relief from sin, its affects and penalties. He doesn't condemn but he brings the knowledge you are condemned already. He is the solution to your need.

A death row inmate slated for execution may every day say, "I don't believe it! I don't believe in the death penalty! I don't believe in courtrooms, judges or electric chairs." With every day, the judgement draws near. His unbelief doesn’t change the sentence he is under.

We live in a world going about their business in their condemnation. Mankind works really hard to find comfort in this condemnation. We change the laws to make sin seem ok. We turn away, we justify it saying, everybody's doing it.

This is the picture of Nicodemus. He wasn't looking for a savior. He didn't need one. He was convinced he was on his way to the kingdom of God. He was rich, educated, well respected. He was religious, a man of the scriptures and he had the law. In reality he was condemned, standing in spiritual darkness but he was speaking to the very gift God had given for him. Jesus is the kind offer of a loving Father.

John 3:19-21

The contrast of light and dark were used often by John. It was also well known in the culture as their ancient text often used the picture of light and darkness to picture good and evil. Jesus is the light that had come to the world, but men loved their darkness. Men love their darkness because their deeds were evil? To leave the darkness is to have your deeds exposed? To leave the darkness, men had to leave their evil deeds? They were unwilling.

Men love their sin. Jesus threatens the sinful lifestyle. If a person recognizes and accepts Jesus, they know they will have to change. Our sin is so close to us we sometimes can't imagine living without it. It’s like an old friend, familiar and even comfortable. It may even bring comfort and short-term pleasure. However, in the end it turns on you. It consumes your life. It is leading to eternal death.

Once we step into the light and our heart is changed, we look back on those sins that once ruled us and say, "I can't believe I was owned by that! I can't believe that sin ran my life and I embraced it."

The light of God shines all the way through our life. Our deeds are to be out in the open and seen that they are clearly from God.

Verse 21 is the end of the recorded discussion with Nicodemus. What do you suppose was going on in the head of Nicodemus about this time? He thought he was a man of truth. If we could talk to Nicodemus, I think he would say he thought he had life all figured out until he went to Jesus that night. The name Nicodemus means “conqueror of the people.” He probably felt like he had conquered life. But on this night, he was conquered by the power of the truth, of the light, of the Savior.

Nicodemus was the living contrast of beliefs. He came as the ruler of his life and confident in all his ways. He came with his laws looking for a coming kingdom. It appears at some point he discovered Jesus as the fulfillment of the law. For Nicodemus that night became a turning point, the beginning of a grand adventure into the Kingdom of God. We don’t know exactly when it happened, but it appears Nicodemus stepped out of the darkness and into the light.

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. ³⁹And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. ⁴⁰Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. ⁴¹Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. ⁴²So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

NKJV; John 19:38-42; 1982, Thomas Nelson

This is the work of a man who loved Jesus. At first, he followed secretly. But his commitment drove him to come publicly this time, in the day for all to see. I'm guessing Jesus was more important to Nicodemus at this point than anything in His life. This is the sign of a true believer. His life was changed. He was born again.

Jesus could even speak into the life of an old hard-hearted Pharisee.

John 3:22-26

The synoptic gospels portray John being imprisoned at nearly the same time as Jesus began His ministry. John makes the point of telling us that this was before John was imprisoned. This is information not given in the synoptics.

John the Baptist is baptizing there near Aenon which is near the Jordan. Aenon was famous for its many springs. This was a favorite spot because there was lots of water. Jesus then showed up beyond the Jordan with His disciples and He began baptizing also.

The primary thing to draw from this section is that Jesus and His disciples were baptizing people early on. This sets up the almost comical dispute. People at the time were interested in the finer points of ceremonial purification. This may have been about proper ceremonial washing or proselyte baptism. It’s possible they just had questions about why they were baptized and baptizing others. Maybe they were already carrying on about sprinkling verses immersion. The bigger issue was that they saw Jesus baptizing and gathering disciples.

John the Baptist hardly observed the finer points of anything. He ate locust, was clothed in skins and lived in the wild. The disciples of John come to him and point out that the popularity of Jesus. They at first see this growing popularity as some kind of threat to John and his ministry. This would be like us worrying about the church down the street. What does that have to do with the work of Jesus here? We aren't competing.

John 3:27-29

This appears to be the beginning of petty bickering and jealousy. John’s authority and mission come from the one who sent him. John reinforced with them that he was not the Christ. He was sent before, by God, to prepare the way, nothing more, nothing less. By design, John’s ministry was supposed to decline as Jesus’ ministry began to flourish.

It’s fascinating how quickly John’s followers developed a loyalty to him that would cause them to feal threatened by Jesus. He was the One they were waiting on. He was the One they were to be running to. Man’s tendency is to always dismiss or dismantle what they don’t understand.

John uses the analogy of the bridegroom and the best man (shoshbin). You don't see the best man bickering because He isn't the bridegroom. The bridegroom has the bride and the best man rejoices greatly. His role is the best man was to attend to the bridegroom. He was to nurture the great joy of the coming wedding.

John declared it was his great joy to be this friend of the bridegroom and announce his coming. His joy was fulfilled. Now, Jesus must increase and John would decrease. All eyes were now to shift from the best man introducing the bridegroom to the bridegroom himself.

Eight months later, John was imprisoned by Herod (Matthew 4:12). A short time later, he was beheaded.

John 3:31-32

The origins of Jesus are from heaven. John’s testimony is consistent with what Jesus said to Nicodemus in 3:13. John was simply a man from earth. Jesus was from Heaven. There is no comparison.

Jesus testified of who He was and what He’d seen. He spoke of the Kingdom of Heaven. In general, His testimony is rejected. To those who believe, they become the certification that God is true. When a person believes and is changed, they become a certificate of authenticity. The life of the one born again says, "I'm a product of the unseen God."

John 3:34-36

This is saying Jesus is speaking God's word - the Rhema of God. And the phrase "does not give the spirit by measure" means that God doesn't place any limits on His spirit. For ages, the Jews thought the Spirit had been silenced in Israel. Only certain men were given the Spirit of God. However, the Father has given the Spirit without measure to Jesus. The words Jesus speaks are the fullness of God. They are the complete expression of God. Nothing is held back.

To those who saw Jesus as a threat, John confirms that he believes Jesus and is following Him. All those following John ought to also do the same. John is saying, ‘I'm a nobody, the only reason to follow me is because I'm following Jesus.’

Just like Jesus told Nicodemus, "You must be born again," John is telling these disciples not to follow him but to follow Jesus. Having the Son is the path to everlasting life. Having anything else is to be without life and the wrath of God abides on him.

God so loved you as to give you a gift. It's a kind offer from a loving God. You must be born again to see the kingdom of God. To be born again, one must turn from all other things, to king Jesus. We come to God, confess it our sins and trust in Jesus.

John