COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK OF JOHN LESSON NUMBER 31 John 3:9 “Nicodemus answered and said unto Him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye RECEIVE NOT our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye BELIEVE NOT, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?” (John 3:9-12) NOT RECEIVING, AND NOT BELIEVING INTRODUCTION When records of Jesus’ conversations with people are given, you will notice a certain candidness, or frankness, about His manner of speaking. While He is so considerate as not to break a bruised reed or quench a smoking flax, His words are like a shaft of light penetrating the dark regions of the soul. When, for example, His disciples asked Him why they could not cast the demon out of a certain son brought to them by his father, Jesus replied, “Because of your unbelief” (Matt 17:20). Again, when a Gentile mother petitioned Him for the healing of her daughter, He replied, "It is not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it to dogs" (Matt 15:26). When He told His disciples to beware of the “leaven of the Pharisees, and the leaven of Herod,” and they did not understand, He said, "Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?" (Mark 8:17). When Peter began to sink while walking on a stormy sea and looking at the storm, Jesus lifted him up saying, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" (Matt 14:31). He told a rich young ruler who asked Him what he should do to inherit eternal life, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me" (Matt 19:21). When Jesus appeared to His disciples after He was risen, they were fearful. He said to them, "Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?" (Luke 24:38). If you want to walk with Jesus, He will probe your heart, open up your weaknesses, and challenge your unbelief. If you are not offended by this manner, you will come to be thankful that He speaks in such a way. Our text provides an excellent example of Jesus’ candid manner. Often, it is blunt, straightforward, and forthright. He will point out uncomely manners, poor understanding, and the weakness of faith. He does so to make us better, and to alert us to areas that will exclude us from the Kingdom if we do not address them. Jesus is not as anxious to beef up the number of His disciples as some have suggested. If you really do want to follow Him, have Him teach you, and give you special grace, you will have to become accustomed to this manner of our blessed Lord. You will find that it is accompanied by a tenderness that may not be seen at the first. HOW CAN THESE THINGS BE? and, A MASTER WHO DOES NOT KNOW? John 3:9 "Nicodemus answered and said unto Him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?" Jesus has made some unwavering statements to Nicodemus: “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3); "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7). He was not speaking philosophically, or merely holding a conversation. These were not Indian rubber sayings that could be stretched or adjusted to handily fit into a preconceived theology. When people attempt to adapt the Word of God to their own thinking, it is only because they do not understand – and they do not understand because they are deficient in both thinking and believing. NICODEMUS ANSWERED. When one considers that Nicodemus is speaking to the Lord Jesus Christ, the greatest Teacher to whom he has ever been exposed, there is a sense in which it is marvelous that Nicodemus pursued an understanding of this subject. When “certain of the scribes” had questioned Jesus, and He answered them, "And after that they durst not ask Him any question at all" (Luke 20:40). But Nicodemus is not of that group. He has already asked Jesus, "How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" (John 3:4). Jesus has provided a detailed answer that suggested what Nicodemus asked was, in fact, an improper question (John 3:5-8). This Pharisee, however, is not driven away. He will press in, determined to know more than he does at that present time. It seems to me that this is a rare, but excellent, spirit. It is comely to be discontent to remain ignorant and in the dark about what Jesus says. In our time a religious climate has been created in the churches that leaves the people content to remain in ignorance. Whatever is being taught, it has not left the people with a determination to obtain the Kingdom “by force [as a precious prize—a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]” AMPLIFIED (Matt 11:12). An inordinately casual spirit about the things of God betrays a heart that has been “hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb 3:13). What would lead any thinking person to the conclusion that he could be indifferent about what Jesus says, or not earnestly seek an understanding. What would cause anyone to be casual about their service to God, slothful about pressing in, and continually refusing to hear Him who is speaking from heaven? You may be assured that whatever has caused these reactions – and they are caused reactions – is not good. If a person will just stay with Jesus, this will become abundantly apparent. HOW CAN THESE THINGS BE? Other versions read, “How can this be?” NIV "How is it possible for these things to be?" BBE "How can this happen?" CJB "How is that possible?" NJB "How are these things able to happen?" YLT “What do you mean?,” LIVING “How on earth can things like this happen?” PHILLIPS “How are these things able to occur?” LITV When Abraham was told that, even though he was impotent, and Sarah was barren, they would have a son, "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform" (Rom 4:20-21). What was the difference between Abraham (who had no Scripture, or extensive history about the dealings of God with men), and Nicodemus, who had the Scriptures, and over 1500 years of recorded history concerning God’s dealings with men? What was the difference between these two men? One did not have the Law, the other one did. One did not have the Prophets, the other did. The difference was in their perception of God. When faced with the impossible, Abraham reckoned on the ability of God. Nicodemus, when faced with something unimaginable, asked how it was even possible. He knew that the way Jesus had spoken, his words could not possibly have been a parable, or a metaphor, or a simile. Nicodemus had unwittingly adopted a theology that was not centered in God. He thought in such a manner as not to bring the working of God into his thinking. He did not ask Jesus how GOD would do this, but how it could be done at all? Jesus will answer him appropriately. ART THOU A MASTER OF ISRAEL, AND KNOWEST NOT THESE THINGS? Other versions read, “teacher,” NKJV “Israel’s teacher.” NIV Moses said God would “circumcise” the heart of the people (Deut 30:6). The prophets said that God would give the people “a new heart,” and “a new spirit,” and “take away the stony heart” (Ezek 36:26). Isaiah prophesied of a change that would cause people to see, hear, and understand (Isa 32:3-4). Nicodemus should have been able to reason properly about being born again – at least to conclude that God was able to do this. However, a sterile theology does not allow men to think in this manner. It compels them to stay within the realm of nature, being confused about anything that is required, yet that requirement does not depend upon man and natural aptitude. There is more of this kind of thinking among modern day Christians than one dares to imagine. This is one reason for the growing dependence on “the wisdom of men” (1 Cor 2:5), and “the wisdom of this world” (1 Cor 3:19). While retaining such reliance, it is not possible for men to please God (Heb 11:6). WE SPEAK WHAT WE KNOW, AND YOU RECEIVE NOT OUR WITNESS 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.” VERILY, VERILY. Other versions read, “most assuredly,” NKJV “Truly, truly,” NASB “I tell you the truth,” NIV and “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you.” AMPLIFIED This expression is to sayings like swearing is to oaths (Heb 6:17-18). It does not make he saying any more sure, but gives a strong reason for it to be believed. I SAY UNTO THEE. Other versions read, “I say to you,” NKJV and “I tell you.” NRSV Jesus’ saying is directed to Nicodemus in particular. It is not exclusively for him, but he is to receive it as though that was the case. There were times when Jesus spoke to the multitude, using words like “whosoever” (Matt 5:19; Mk 9:42; Lk 9:24), “any man” (Matt 16:24; Mk 4:23; Lk 9:23), “he that hath ears to hear” (Matt 11:15; Lk 8:8; 14:35), etc. However, there comes a time when He directs His words to a particular person, and makes it quite clear to the individual–i.e., Peter (Lk 22:31-32), Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:4), the woman with an issue of blood (Mk 5:33-34), Martha (Lk 10:41), etc. One of the marks of experiencing fellowship with Christ is when His sayings are no longer perceived as general. At that time, they also are no longer philosophical. WE. Why does Jesus use the plural here. Up to this point He has spoken in the singular – “I” (John 3:3,5,7,11). Speaking for a certain body of people, Nicodemus had said, “We know that Thou art a Teacher sent from God” (John 3:2). Now Jesus speaks for another body of personalities: Himself, the Father, the Holy Spirit, John the Baptist, Moses, the Prophets, and His disciples. So far as men are concerned, there is a group that is inspired, and one that is uninspired. One group has seen something, and the other has not. One group knows something, while the other does not. These two groups still exist. WE SPEAK WHAT WE DO KNOW. This is a Kingdom standard – speaking what is known – not known academically, but known in discernment, or comprehension! Among professing Christians, there is too much philosophical thought, and expressions of things that are nothing more than opinions. Moses, the Prophets, John the Baptist – and above all, Jesus Christ – only spoke or wrote what they knew. Their words do not require confirmation. They are to be taken at face value. When Jesus said He was speaking what He knew, He meant there was no need to examine what He said, or test it to see if it was true. Speaking of the same kind of thing, Paul once wrote to Corinth, where some doubted that he was an apostle, "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant" (1 Cor 14:37-38). The Amplified Bible reads, “But if anyone disregards or does not recognize [that it is a command of the Lord], he is disregarded and not recognized [he is one whom God knows not.]” That is strong language, indeed, but when it is the truth that is being communicated, and it is not discerned that it is the truth, that is a precise depiction of the pretentious minister who fails to receive it. By saying these words, Jesus has lifted the dialog with Nicodemus out of the class of friendly conversations, and intellectual inquiries. Further, the person who has been “joined unto the Lord” (1 Cor 6:17) has an appetite for such sayings. One of the liabilities of worldly wisdom is that it can cause a person to be reluctant to receive the truth because it is not comprehended. However, when a person is convinced God has said it, he can receive it, understood or not. WE TESTIFY THAT WE HAVE SEEN. Jesus was not speaking of trafficking in the world of ideas, theories, and suppositions –like the Athenians did (Acts 17:21). Jesus spoke from the perspective of the spiritual realm He occupied. This expression is equivalent to saying, “what we have experienced.” YE RECEIVE NOT OUR WITNESS. Other versions read, “do not receive our witness,” NASB “do not accept our testimony,” NIV "don't accept our evidence!" CJB “you won't believe me,” LIVING “you all reject our testimony,” WEYMOUTH and “still you do not receive our testimony [you reject and refuse our evidence—that of Myself and of all those who are born of the Spirit].” AMPLIFIED As in the case of Zacharias (Lk 1:18-20), questioning the word delivered is taken by the Lord as actually rejecting it. The fact that the Lord speaks of things that are not possible with men – things that can be neither heard nor seen by men – does not mean men are free to question the reality made known by them. If the Lord says that something “is” (John 8:34),it IS. If He says “You must” (John 3:7), you MUST! If He says “Come out” (2 Cor 6:17; Rev 18:4), you must COME OUT. If He says “Touch not the unclean thing” (2 Cor 6:17), you must not TOUCH it! If He says “You have in heaven a better and an enduring substance” (Heb 10:34), you DO have such a substance! Nicodemus said, “How can these things be?” (Being born again and being born of the water and the Spirit). Jesus said that response confirmed he did not receive His witness! However you may choose to view it, that is most serious! EARTHLY THINGS AND HEAVENLY THINGS “ 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?" I HAVE TOLD YOU EARTHLY THINGS. Other versions read, “the things of earth,” BBE “the things of the world,” CJB “things that happen on earth,” CSB “such things as these that happen here among men,” LIVING “things on earth,” IE “things that are plain as the hand before your face,” MESSAGE and “things that happen right here on the earth.” AMPLIFIED “Earthly things” does NOT refer to the things of the earth, or the things of the world, as some versions represent –i.e. BBE,CEV,CJB,GNB,IE,MESSAGE, AMPLIFIED Jesus is speaking about things that happen in the earth, but have been generated from heaven. He has spoken of being born again, being born of water, being born of the Spirit, and of the Spirit’s working. All of these take place on the earth, or in the world. There are also things associated with salvation that have occurred, and are occurring, in heaven: atonement, reconciliation, intercession, mediation, calling, stabilization, keeping, answered prayer, etc. There is where the seat of government resides, and the One who is governing. Temptations occur on earth, but they are managed in heaven. Godliness takes place on earth, but is caused from heaven. Those who believe on earth are being kept, but the Source and the power of it is from heaven. There are things that happen to men in the world, and things that redeemed men do in the world – but they are not the main things. They are effects, not causes. They are results, not purposes. Commissions are given to men in the world, but the empowerment to fulfill them comes from heaven. In Daniel’s day, there was a shifting of global power from the Persians to the Grecians. But the cause of it took place in the higher realms, where the “prince of Persia” was unseated, and “the prince of Grecia” came (Dan 10:12-20). On the day of Pentecost, there was a sound as of a mighty wind, the disciples were empowered, and spoke in other languages the wonderful works of God. But the sound ”came from heaven” (Acts 2:2), the Holy Spirit was poured out from heaven (Acts 2:17-18) – all of the enablements came from heaven according to the purpose of Him who was acting from heaven. What was happening in heaven caused what was happening on the earth. Those who are in Christ, and are in the world, love and have fellowship with one another. That is in the category of what our text calls, “earthly things.” But the circle of fellowship is larger than that! It includes “heavenly things” – "mount Sion,” “the city of the living God, “ ”the heavenly Jerusalem, an innumerable company of angels,“ ”the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven,“ ”God the Judge of all,“ ”the spirits of just men made perfect,“ ”Jesus the mediator of the new covenant,“ ”and the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel." (Heb 12:22-24). None of those heavenly things were divulged to Nicodemus at this time –only the things that take place in the earth, the fallen realm, and the place where Satan walks to and fro, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet 5:7-8). YE BELIEVE NOT. Other versions read, “you do not believe,” KJV "have no belief," BBE "you people don't believe me," CJB “you are not believing,” IE and “yet none of you believes Me.” AMPLIFIED Jesus has already said Nicodemus and those with whom he was identified did not receive what He said. Now He states the matter with even greater clarity. What Jesus said had not been believed! That is, while they knew what Jesus said, and did not doubt that the words came from Him, yet they refused to receive them, or be guided and tutored by them. This is the root from which all disobedience springs. When the word of the Lord is not kept or obeyed, it is not because it was not understood, but because it was not believed! HOW SHALL YE BELIEVE. If secondary matters, effects, and requirements are not believed, how can causes and origins be believed? If men do not believe what God says and does, how can they believe that He is? To ask the question is to answer it. It is a rhetorical question. The question also indicates that Jesus does have some further things He would like to make known to Nicodemus, but is not able to do so because of the bottleneck of unbelief. Unbelief raises a wall between God and man. It is the paramount sin, and the Holy Spirit convicts men of it (John 16:9). IF I TELL YOU OF HEAVENLY THINGS? If men stumble at what God commands them to do, and what He requires of them, how will they believe affirmations about God’s Sovereignty, God’s appointments; His election, predestination, keeping power, keeping men from falling, making an escape out of temptation, the Lord being the Governor among the nations, etc. How will they be able to comprehend and benefit from the intercession of Jesus (Rom 8:34;Heb 7:25), the intercession of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:26-27), the present teaching of Jesus (Eph 4:20-21), how He is come to give us an understanding (1 John 5:20), and the ministry of angels (Heb 1:13-14)? The more time is required to correct wayward behavior, the less time can be spent on truth that feeds and stabilizes the soul. When requirements and duty are not understood, men are held back.