John 3:22-36

3:22-30

I. Jesus and John the Baptist.

Read this in the context of Nicodemus, and the continuing issue of Jesus’ identity and authority.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).

25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

A. John Witnesses to Jesus’ Uniqueness

John the Baptist stands as a witness again to the identity of Jesus.

John 3:22–36 ESV

After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison). Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.” He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

John 3:22–30 ESV

After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison). Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

John the Baptist had a powerful ministry, so much so that many thought he was the Messiah, even though he explicitly denied that.

The NIV Application commentary says John the Baptist’s statement “He must increase, but I must decrease,” is the main point of this passage.

John affirms Jesus’ heavenly origin.

Jesus’ heavenly origin.

John the Baptist affirms Jesus’ heavenly origins as greater than himself:

a

The NIV Application Commentary: John Jesus and John the Baptist (3:22–36)

Just as Nicodemus must be born “from above” (3:3), so now the Baptist becomes a witness to Jesus as one who is “from above” (3:31). Jesus has descended from heaven (3:12–13), bringing heavenly gifts of the Spirit and rebirth; he is a messenger who reveals what he has seen and heard in heaven’s precincts (3:31–32)

The NIV Application Commentary: John Jesus and John the Baptist (3:22–36)

Just as Nicodemus must be born “from above” (3:3), so now the Baptist becomes a witness to Jesus as one who is “from above” (3:31). Jesus has descended from heaven (3:12–13), bringing heavenly gifts of the Spirit and rebirth; he is a messenger who reveals what he has seen and heard in heaven’s precincts (3:31–32)

Jesus and his disciples had a baptizing ministry, though says that Jesus himself did not baptize.

Another incidence of “eyewitness” testimony, though Jesus is the eyewitness of things in heaven.

The NIV Application commentary says John the Baptist’s statement “He must increase, but I must decrease,” is the main point of this passage.

Numbers 12:6–9 ESV

And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and he departed.

Miriam had questioned Moses’ authority, God set her straight and said “I speak more directly to Moses than I do to any other prophet.” Now, John is saying “Jesus not only speaks directly to God, His words are the very words of God.” So Jesus is even higher than Moses.

B. Jesus vs. John the Baptist (not really a conflict)

In this passage, his followers are jealous of Jesus, and trying to defend their own teacher’s fame. He shuts them down, but apparently it didn’t totally work. From study of history and other passages of Scripture, we find out that some people continued to follow John the Baptist even after he died, rejecting Jesus as the true Messiah.

Nicodemus was a ruling Jew, John was a Jewish prophet, together they both stood as a witness to Jesus, even if Nicodemus started out skeptical.

The NIV Application Commentary: John Jesus and John the Baptist (3:22–36)

Just as Nicodemus must be born “from above” (3:3), so now the Baptist becomes a witness to Jesus as one who is “from above” (3:31). Jesus has descended from heaven (3:12–13), bringing heavenly gifts of the Spirit and rebirth; he is a messenger who reveals what he has seen and heard in heaven’s precincts (3:31–32)

Another incidence of “eyewitness” testimony, though Jesus is the eyewitness of things in heaven.

The New American Commentary: John 1–11 (3) John the Baptist and Another Discourse on Salvation (3:22–36)

the Baptizer is treated not merely as a historical person, but he is also employed as a character symbol who is to be contrasted directly with Jesus. He is witness; Jesus is the Light (1:7–8). He is voice; Jesus is the Word (1:14, 23). He baptizes with water; Jesus baptizes with the Spirit (1:33)

Since John the Baptist is a prophet, like an Old Testament prophet, we can almost see the prophets standing alongside him saying “Jesus is different!”

Building God’s Name:

John’s disciples didn’t like him being brought lower than Jesus, but that’s exactly what John wanted. This is an example to us all about how we’re supposed to defer to God. Many scholars believe the “image of God” from means our subordinate rule of the earth under God’s authority, in other words, building God’s name. When Adam and Eve ate the fruit, they were motivated to be more like God; rather than simply bearing His image, they wanted to be God. Similarly, the tower of Babel incident shows what happens when mankind unifies to build their own name rather than God’s. Humanity was never intended to bring glory to itself, it’s a perversion of our purpose for existence.

Numbers 12:6–9 ESV

And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and he departed.

Miriam had questioned Moses’ authority, God set her straight and said “I speak more directly to Moses than I do to any other prophet.” Now, John is saying “Jesus not only speaks directly to God, His words are the very words of God.” So Jesus is even higher than Moses.

Conclude section I. on John and Jesus:

John is a witness to Jesus’ Identity: Compare this passage to the first part of chapter 3: Nicodemus was a ruling Jew, John was a Jewish prophet, together they both stood as a witness to Jesus, even if Nicodemus started out skeptical.

John shows us how deferential we should be to Jesus, building his name rather than our own.

II. Baptism:

Jesus and his disciples had a baptizing ministry, though says that Jesus himself did not baptize.

Many readers ask: how can these people be baptized before Jesus’ resurrection? We believe that Baptism includes faith in Jesus’ resurrection, and at this point he hadn’t been resurrected yet.

The NAC suggests this:

The New American Commentary: John 1–11 (3) John the Baptist and Another Discourse on Salvation (3:22–36)

he wanted the reader to understand precisely that baptism was affirmed by Jesus. But as this story unfolds, it is certainly not the baptism of John the Baptist that seems to be advocated. Yet the interweaving of the lives of Jesus and the Baptizer is how the evangelist clarified for his readers important theological distinctions between the two.

in other words: John wants you to know that Jesus affirms baptism, even if the baptism in the story isn’t exactly the same baptism he’s talking about.

3:31-36

English Standard Version Chapter 3

31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

3:31-36 don’t really fit the narrative. It’s like extra commentary on the previous sections.

the pace of the Gospel of John is pretty different from Paul. We’re used to sitting and analyzing, and you can do that here, but John is sometimes written with a more liturgical purpose in mind. It’s meant to be read in a worship service, something our tradition has drifted away from.

verse 31:

English Standard Version Chapter 3

31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all.

Jesus cannot be compared to earthly teachers, he is above all.

Jesus cannot be compared to earthly teachers, he is above all. This is the most common error made about Jesus in our day.

in the past, many would say Jesus was all divine, but not fully human. Today, Muslims say he was a human prophet, and liberal scholars say he was just a human teacher. Even some Jews try to say Jesus was just an errant Jewish Rabbi. The Gospel of John destroys these theories.

Earthly teachers speak in an earthly way, but when Jesus speaks, it is divine revelation.

verse 32:

English Standard Version Chapter 3

32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony.

Jesus is an eyewitness to God, but his witness is rejected

verse 33:

Holman reads:

The Holman Christian Standard Bible Chapter 3

33 The one who has accepted His testimony has affirmed that God is true

in other words: to accept Jesus’ testimony is to accept God, and to reject Jesus’ testimony is to reject God.

Compare that to 3:18:

John 3:18 ESV

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

verse 34

repeats the affirmation that Jesus speaks the words of God. (repetition is important, John wants you to know that Jesus speaks the words of God).

many commentators say that the reference to “Spirit without measure” is referring to Jesus’ having an unlimited supply of the HS.

verse 35

remember the reference to the Son of Man in Daniel, all power is given to Him.

the Father delegates power to the Son.

Verse 36

John 3:36 ESV

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

is often considered the greatest summary of the Gospel. Here’s another restatement: life only comes from belief in the Son, all others will remain in the wrath of God.

in other words, humanity is already in the wrath of God because of our sin, and we will remain in that sin unless we believe in Jesus.

Like in 3:18

English Standard Version Chapter 3

18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

Other Thoughts

This whole section, 3:31-36, is reminiscent of 1:9-13

John 1:9–13 ESV

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

it has the ebb and flow of a worship service.

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Chronology

skeptics will compare the order of events in John to the order of events in the synoptic gospels and notice that they are not the same. Remember that the gospels (at least not all of them) are not primarily written to give you a chronological blow-by-blow of Jesus’ life and ministry. They are documents written for a different purpose, for the purpose of winning the lost, assuring the saved, and being read during worship services. They serve that purpose beautifully, and are often arranged theologically, not chronologically.

proves that John understood the Chronology, but didn’t dwell on it much. That wasn’t his main goal. In fact, some people think John expects you to know the other Gospels first.

There’s actually a chance John expects you to know the other Gospels first.

Conclusion (From B&H Exegetical Guide):

1. Jesus came from Heaven, and thus he is greater than any earthly teacher, prophet, or king. He’s the greatest teacher.

2. Having come from Heaven, Jesus is our best witness to the truth about God’s will and eternal destination. He’s the most reliable witness.

2. As a resident of heaven, Jesus is supremely qualified to divulge heavenly truths (cf. 3: 12), what he has seen and heard (vv. 32– 33; cf. 1: 18) 3. As one sent by God and equipped by the Spirit in boundless measure, Jesus accurately communicates God’s words (v. 34) 4. As the object of the Father’s love, Jesus has been given dominion over all creation (v. 35) 5. As the recipient of universal dominion (v. 35), Jesus has become the touchstone for receiving eternal life or suffering God’s wrath (v. 36)

3. Because Jesus is infinitely empowered by the Holy Spirit, we know He speaks God’s words.

4. God the Father has chosen put Jesus in charge of all creation. He rules over everything

5. Because Jesus rules over everything, he is the only path to salvation.

As one sent by God and equipped by the Spirit in boundless measure, Jesus accurately communicates God’s words (v. 34) 4. As the object of the Father’s love, Jesus has been given dominion over all creation (v. 35) 5. As the recipient of universal dominion (v. 35), Jesus has become the touchstone for receiving eternal life or suffering God’s wrath (v. 36)

Harris, Murray J.. John (Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament) (Kindle Locations 3256-3263). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.