John 3

John 3:1

PHarisees] See the note on John 1:24.

a ruler of the Jews] Either one of their Sanhedrin or great councell; or one of the rulers of the Synagogue.

John 3:2

by night] For fear of the Jews, John 19:38.

Rabbi] Master, or Teacher.

come from God] Divinely and extraordinarily sent to teach us.

John 3:3

born again] Or, from above. Regenerated by the holy Ghost.

see the kingdome of God] Enter into: as vers. 5.

John 3:4

How can a man] To examine spirituall mysteries by carnall reason, is a main let to the understanding thereof.

John 3:5

of water] Of baptisme the Sacrament of regeneration; which is the ordinary way into the Church and kingdome of God, though his grace be not tied to externall means: and it is the contempt, not the privation of the Sacrament which condemneth.

Spirit] Which giveth the inward effect of Baptisme.

kingdome of God] Of grace here, and glory in the life to come.

John 3:6

born of the flesh] The corrupted nature of man; opposite to regeneration.

is flesh] Is carnall, subject to sinne and death: understand herewith, the wisdome, will and affection of the naturall man. See Romans 7:14, &c. & 8. 7.

is spirit] Is spirituall: subject to the Spirit, sanctifying man, and styling him spirituall, notwithstanding the remainds of sinne striving against the spirit. Galatians 5:17.

John 3:7

again] Or, from above.

John 3:8

wind bloweth where it listeth] Or spirit. As the power of God is perceived in the wind moving the aire, though we cannot see it; so is it in the changing and renewing of us, though the manner be hid from us.

John 3:10

knowest not these things] Though he were learned, he knew not the first rudiments of Christs Schoole: they are spiritually discerned, 1 Corinthians 2:14.

John 3:12

earthly things] Naturall things, as concerning the wind: or in a plain and common manner, as he delivered his heavenly doctrine.

John 3:13

came down from heaven] By assumption of the humane nature, John 1:14.

the Sonne of man] Christ God and man: Sonne of man, is often put for man, Psalms 8:4. Isaiah 51:12.

which is in heaven] Then, he was in heaven according to his Deitie, whose properties are attributed to the Person of Christ, consisting of two united natures.

John 3:14

And as Moses lifted up the serpent] Numbers 21:9. As the Serpent lifted up was a sign of grace, and remedie against evill, that all who were stung with fiery Serpents, might see him and be healed: so was Christ lifted up on the Crosse, John 12:32. and is now lifted up in the Word and Sacraments, (Isaiah 49:22. Galatians 3:1.) that the faithfull may look into heaven after him, and be healed.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world] 1 John 4:9. Mankind.

John 3:17

For God sent not] Chap. 12. 47.

to condemne the world] Christs comming condemneth not, but unbelief and contempt of Christ, John 9:39. & John 12:47.

the world through him might be saved] Not onely Jewes, but whosoever should beleeve in him.

John 3:18

is condemned already] By the ancient sentence, Genesis 3:19. & Genesis 2:17. Galatians 3:10. which must needs stand, except it be reversed by Christ apprehended by faith.

in the name of the onely begotten Sonne of God] In Christ.

John 3:19

the condemnation] The cause of condemnation.

that light is come] Chap. 1. 4.

their deeds were evil] Mans wickednesse is the cause of his rejecting the Gospel of Christ, which as light convinceth them.

John 3:20

hateth the light] Job 23. 13-17.

reproved] Or, discovered.

John 3:21

doeth truth] That doth sincerely and holily.

wrought in God] As they do who set God onely before their eyes, and follow the rule of his Word.

John 3:22

the land of Judea] Into the territories of Judea: from Jerusalem into the villages and places neere.

and baptized] By his Disciples ministerie, John 4:2.

John 3:23

Enon] A town in the Tribe of Manasseh; neer Jordan: there was another of this name neer Damascus, Ezekiel 47:17.

John 3:25

about purifying] How they might be purified before God, which the washings under the Law did, and baptisme doth represent.

John 3:26

was with thee beyond Jordan] They were affected with perverse zeale and emulation, fearing that their masters credit should be impaired by Christ.

to whom thou barest witnesse] Chap. 1. 7, 34.

John 3:27

A man can receive nothing] Or, take unto himself. Hebrews 5:4. No man ought to surpe a ministery which God hath not not given him, Hebrews 5:4. nor can be fit for it except God give it.

John 3:28

I am not the Christ] Chap. 1. 20.

John 3:29

fulfilled] In that he heard the voyce of Christ the Bridegroome speaking to his Spouse the Church.

John 3:30

He must increase] He must be exalted, and all the elect shall follow him, and I must be now obscured, as a starre at the rising of the Sunne.

John 3:31

is earthly] Nothing but man, meer dregges in comparison with Christ.

and speaketh of the earth] Savoureth not the things of God, but of men: as Matthew 16:23.

John 3:32

and no man] That is, few.

John 3:33

hath set to his seal] Romans 3:4.

that God is true] He that beleeveth in Christ, acknowledgeth the truth of Gods promises.

John 3:34

not the spirit by measure unto him] But a fulnesse unmeasurable, Colos. 1-19. & 2 9.

John 3:35

The Father loveth the Sonne] Matthew 11:27.

John 3:36

He that beleeveth on the Sonne, hath everlasting life] Hebrews 2:4. 1 John 5:10.

shall not see life] Not enjoy life: as vers. 3.

but the wrath of God abideth on him] For onely being justified by faith we have peace toward God, Romans 5:1. Out of Christ, there can be no reconciliation.