Joh 3:27-36 | NET2full | STEP | John replied , “ No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven .

‏ John 3:27-36

27 John replied, ^{▼▼tn Grk “answered and said.”} “No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ ^{▼▼tn Or “the Messiah” (Both Greek “Christ” and Hebrew and Aramaic “Messiah” mean “one who has been anointed”).} ^{▼▼sn See the note on Christ in 1:20.} but rather, ‘I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly ^{▼▼tn Grk “rejoices with joy” (an idiom).} when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. This then is my joy, and it is complete. ^{▼▼tn Grk “Therefore this my joy is fulfilled.”} 30 He must become more important while I become less important.” ^{▼▼sn Some interpreters extend the quotation of John the Baptist’s words through v. 36.}

31 The one who comes from above is superior to all. ^{▼▼tn Or “is above all.”} The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. ^{▼▼tn Grk “speaks from the earth.”} The one who comes from heaven ^{▼▼sn The one who comes from heaven refers to Christ. As in John 1:1, the Word’s preexistence is indicated here.} is superior to all. ^{▼▼tc P75 א* D ƒ1 565 as well as several versions and fathers lack the phrase “is superior to all” (ἐπάνω πάντων ἐστίν, epanō pantōn estin). This effectively joins the last sentence of v. 31 with v. 32: “The one who comes from heaven testifies about what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony.” On the other side, the phrase may have been deleted because of perceived redundancy, since it duplicates what is said earlier in the verse. The witnesses that include ἐπάνω πάντων ἐστίν in both places are weighty and widespread (P36vid,66 א2 A B L Ws Θ Ψ 083 086 ƒ13 33 Maj lat sys,p,h bo). On balance, the longer reading should probably be considered authentic.} ^{▼▼tn Or “is above all.”} 32 He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 The one who has accepted his testimony has confirmed clearly that God is truthful. ^{▼▼tn Or “is true.”} 34 For the one whom God has sent ^{▼▼tn That is, Christ.} speaks the words of God, for he does not give the Spirit sparingly. ^{▼▼tn Grk “for not by measure does he give the Spirit” (an idiom). Leviticus Rabbah 15:2 states: “The Holy Spirit rested on the prophets by measure.” Jesus is contrasted to this. The Spirit rests upon him without measure.} 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed all things under his authority. ^{▼▼tn Grk “has given all things into his hand” (an idiom).} 36 The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects ^{▼▼tn Or “refuses to believe,” or “disobeys.”} the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath ^{▼▼tn Or “anger because of evil,” or “punishment.”} remains ^{▼▼tn Or “resides.”} on him.