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31 The one who comes from above is superior to all.[a] The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things.[b] The one who comes from heaven[c] is superior to all.[d] 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.[e] 34 For the one whom God has sent[f] speaks the words of God, for he does not give the Spirit sparingly.[g] 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed all things under his authority.[h] 36 The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects[i] the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath[j] remains[k] on him.

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Footnotes

  1. John 3:31 tn Or “is above all.”
  2. John 3:31 tn Grk “speaks from the earth.”
  3. John 3:31 sn The one who comes from heaven refers to Christ. As in John 1:1, the Word’s preexistence is indicated here.
  4. John 3:31 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 M lat sys,p,h bo). On balance, the longer reading should probably be considered authentic.tn Or “is above all.”
  5. John 3:33 tn Or “is true.”
  6. John 3:34 tn That is, Christ.
  7. John 3:34 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.
  8. John 3:35 tn Grk “has given all things into his hand” (an idiom).
  9. John 3:36 tn Or “refuses to believe,” or “disobeys.”
  10. John 3:36 tn Or “anger because of evil,” or “punishment.”
  11. John 3:36 tn Or “resides.”

31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 What he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness. 33 He who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. 36 One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys[a] the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

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Footnotes

  1. 3:36 The same word can be translated “disobeys” or “disbelieves” in this context.