John 3

1 Christ instructeth Nicodemus of the necessity and manner of Regeneration, 9 reproving his ignorance herein, 14 Teacheth by the Type of the brasen serpent, that be must be lifted up to save all those that believe in him, 18 and that they that believe not in him are condemned, 22 Christ and John baptize at one time, 25 Johns Disciples take ill that Christ was more followed; 27 from whence John takes occasion to instruct them in the difference betwixt him and Christ, whose dignity he sets forth, 36 and what they have to expect from Christ who believe in him, and they that believe.

1. And there was a man of the Pharisees, whose name was Nicodemus, a Ruler of the Jews: [That is, one of the Council of the Jews, see John 7:50.]

2. This (man) came to Jesus night [Namely, for fear of the Jews, and of being cast out of the Synagogue. see John 9:22, and 12.42. and 19.38] and said unto him Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come form God: for no man can do those things which thou dost, if God be not with him.

3. Jesus answered [Namely either upon the question of Nicodemus, concerning the means of Nicodemus, concerning the means to be saved, which is not here exprest: upon his desire to know this, although he ad not yet manifested the same] and said unto him, verily, verily, i say unto thee, except one be born [that is, be delivered by the holy Ghost from natural corruption, and renewed a new spiritual life, see John 1:13. Rom.12.2.] again, [or from a bove, or a new] he cannot see the kingdom of God. [tat is, not enter thereinto as ver. 5. i.e. not be partaker of everlasting. see the annotation ver.36.]

4. Nicodemus said unto him, How can a man be born (now) being old? Can also enter another time into his mothers womb, and be born?

5. Jesus answered, verily, verily, [Gr. Amen, Amen, see concerning this word Matth.6.13.]I say unto thee, if a man be not born of water and spirit [that is, be not cleansed from his sin by the power of the Holy Ghost, a outward impurities are washed away with water. Ezekiel 36:25. see the like phrase, Matth.311.] he cannot enter into the kingdome of God.

6. That which is born of the flesh [that is after a naturall manner, of corrupt men] (that) is flesh: [that is, naturally and carnally minded. Gen.6. ver.3.5.] and thhat which is born of the spirit (that) i spirit. [That is, is spiritually minded Rom. 8.ver.5.]

7. Marvel not that i said unto thee, ye must be born againe, [Or a new or from above. i.e. by the operation of the holy Ghost.]

8. The winde [Gr. the spirit. i.e the winde as appears by that which followeth] bloweth whither it will, and thou hearest its sound, [Gr. voice] bit thou knowest not whence it commeth, [that is, from whence it is driven: where it hath is beginning, or taken its end] and whither it goeth: so is very one that is born of the spirit, but how it goeth on thou comprehendest not, Eclle.11.5.]

9. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can thee things be done.

10. Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a Teacher of Israel, and knowest thou not these things? [Namely, which are so often and so clearly taught in the Prophet.]

11. Verily, verily, i say unto thee, wee [Namely, John and i] speak that we, and testify that we have seen, and ye, [namely, ye Ruler and Pharisees, John 7:48.] receive not our witness.

12. If i have spoken unto you earthly things, [that i, declare heavenly things by the similitude of earthly] and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if i should speak unto you the heavenly? [that is, should propound them without similitude, ass they are themselves.]

13. And no man is gone up into heaven [Gr. ascended, that is, with his understanding pierce through into perfect knowledge of heavenly things, touching Gods councel concerning the salvation of men, to reveal them into men, Romans 10:6.] but he that is come down from heaven, [namely, when he assumed the humane nature, and was sent by the father into the world for Mediator] (namely) the Son of man, which is in heaven [namely, in respect of his divine nature, according to which he filleth heaven and earth, Colossians 1:17. Hebrews 1:3.]

14. And as Moses lifted up [that is, hung it up on high pole, to be seen all which were bitten by the fiery Serpents that they might be healed. see Num21. 9. the Serpent in the Wilderness; Even so must the Son of man be lifted up, [namely, on the Cross as he himself es pound, John 12:32.33.]

15. That every one which believed in him, may not perish [Or be lost] but have everlasting life.

16. For God so loved the World [That is, not onely the Jews, but also the Gentiles, scattered throughout the whole world, John 11:51,52. 1 John 2:2. of this love of God see more largely, Rom.5.6,8. and 8.32.] that have gave his only begotten Son, that evry one that believeth in him, might not not perish but have everlasting life.

17. For God sent his son into the world, that he should condemn world[Gr. judge, that is condemn the world [Gr. that is condemn or damn] but that the world [that is, those of the world which shall believe in him, aswell Gentiles as Jews] by him should be saved.

18. He that believed in him, is not condemned, but he that believed not is condemned already; [Namely in the judgement of God, according to the threatening of the Law, as he that hath the cause of damnation in himself] seeing he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19. And this is the judgement [That is, the condemnation or the cause of condemnation] that the light [that is, Christ and his Gospel] is come into he world, and men loved darkness more then the light, for their works were evil.

20. For every one that doth evil, hateth the light, and cometh not the light, that works works may not be reproved [that is be discovered, and he convinced of the same.]

21. But he that dath the truth [That is, he that deals upright] cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, that they are done in God. [Gr. are wrought in God, i.e. as in the presence of God, and according to his will]

22. After this came Jesus and his Disciples into the land of Judea, [That i, without Jerusalem in the borders of Judea] and tarried there with them, and baptized: [namely by his Disciples, see John 4:2.]

23. And John also baptized in Enon neer Salim [A place in the Tribe of Benjamin, whereof 1 Sam 9.4.] seeing there were many water there; [that is, brooks, or sivulets, or much water; because they that were baptized by John, went into the water with their whole bodies. See Mat.3.16. Acts 8:38.] and they came thither and were baptized.

24. For John was not yet cast prison.

25. Then there arose a question [Or difference] (by same) of the Disciples of John the Jews about purifying [namely, about comparing of the worthiness of the baptism of John, with the Jewish purification: or of the baptism of John with the baptism of Christ Disciples.]

26. And they came to John, [Namely, the Disciples of John] and said unto him Rabbi; he that was with thee beyond Jordan [or by Jordan: namely at Bethabara, John 1:28.] to whom thou gavest testimony, behold, he baptizeth, and they come all to him [that is, they come by great multitudes unto him]

27. John answered and said, a man can receive nothing, [That is, execute no office lawfully, and with due success and fruit, Heb.5.4. Or receive any thing; namely that is good, James 1:17.] except it be given him from heaven. [that is, God, see Mat 21. v 25.]

28. Yee your selves are my witnesses, that i said, i am not the Christ, but that i am sent forth before him.

29. He that hath the Bride is the Bridegroom, but the friend of the Bridegroom [That is, i, who am the friend and faithful minister of the Bridegroom, have brought the Bride, i.e. the Church, unto Christ her Bridegroom, who now receiveth and speak to her himself see. 2. Cor 11.2. & Ephes.5.22]who standeth and heareth him, rejoyceth with joy because of the Bridegroom voice, [when he receiveth, and speaketh unto his Bride] this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

30. He must increase, but i decrease:

31. He that cometh from above [That is, from the heaven, as being true God, as in the words is declared] is above all: He that is (come forth) out of the Earth [that is, who is a meer man, sprung forth in a natural way, speaketh as a meer man, although he be endowed with the spirit of God] he is from the earth and speaketh from the Earth. Hhe that cometh from heaven is above all.

32. And that which he hath seen and heard, [that is , whereof he of himself hath perfect and certain knowledge] is very few, and also most no man, in comparison of the following verse,]

33. He that hath received his Testimony, he hath sealed that God is true [that is, by his faith testified and confirmed, that he holds the promises of God to be true.]

34. For he whom God hath sent, he speaketh the words of God: for God giveth (him) the spirit not by measure [Gr. out of measure, i.e. not in part as to his Ministers, but in all fullness. see Psa.45.8. John 1:16.]

35. The Father loveth the son, and hath given all things into his hand. [that is, subjected to his power see Mat.28.18.]

36. He that believed in the Son, he hath eternal life: but he that is not obedient to the Son [That is, he that doth not believe in him according to his command, Rom.1.5.] he shall not see life, [that is, not enjoy it, Psalms 34:13.] but the wrath of God abideth on him