John 3 11

John 3:11 kjv

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

John 3:11 nkjv

Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.

John 3:11 niv

Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.

John 3:11 esv

Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.

John 3:11 nlt

I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won't believe our testimony.

John 3 verses

John 3 11 Meaning

John 3:11 conveys Jesus' solemn affirmation of the truth and authority of His message and that of those united with Him, in stark contrast to the widespread unbelief and rejection by the Jewish religious establishment, represented by Nicodemus. Jesus asserts His firsthand, experiential knowledge of divine realities, emphasizing that His witness stems directly from God, yet this fundamental truth is not accepted by those He addresses. The verse highlights the core conflict between heavenly revelation and human spiritual blindness, foreshadowing the pervasive rejection of the Gospel.

John 3 11 Context

John 3:11 is part of a significant dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and ruler of the Jews, who came to Jesus by night (Jn 3:1-2). This conversation immediately follows a Passover celebration where Jesus performed signs in Jerusalem (Jn 2:23), attracting attention and leading Nicodemus to inquire further. Nicodemus initially acknowledges Jesus as "a teacher come from God," based on His miraculous signs. Jesus, however, immediately shifts the conversation from earthly observations to profound spiritual truths, introducing the concept of being "born again" or "born from above" (Jn 3:3-8). This new birth is essential for seeing and entering the Kingdom of God, a concept Nicodemus struggles to grasp with his natural understanding ("How can these things be?"). Verse 11 serves as Jesus' authoritative statement on the spiritual matters He has been discussing. He emphasizes that He speaks with ultimate knowledge and direct revelation, contrasting His clear understanding of "heavenly things" with the lack of reception by the religious elite represented by Nicodemus, who cling to an earthly, literal understanding of God's ways and cannot comprehend spiritual realities without divine enabling. This dialogue directly challenges the prevalent Jewish religious understanding of salvation and God's Kingdom, which often focused on adherence to the Law and physical descent from Abraham.

John 3 11 Word analysis

• Truly, truly (Greek: ἀμὴν ἀμὴν, amēn amēn): This double "Amen" is a distinctive feature of Jesus' speech in John's Gospel, appearing 25 times. It signifies a profound emphasis, underscoring the absolute certainty and solemn authority of what follows. It's a powerful declaration, drawing attention to a crucial truth, originating from the Hebrew "Amen" meaning "so be it" or "it is firm/certain."
• I say to you (Greek: λέγω σοι, legō soi): Lalō (speak) is used often for general communication, but legō implies authoritative declaration. The soi (singular "you") initially addresses Nicodemus directly, showing a personal teaching encounter. However, the switch to the plural later in the verse ("you do not receive") indicates that Nicodemus also stands as a representative figure for the broader Jewish leadership and the prevailing attitude of rejection among them.
• we speak (Greek: λαλοῦμεν, laloumen): The first-person plural "we" (along with "we know," "we testify," "we have seen") refers primarily to Jesus Himself, signifying the singular divine testimony through His humanity. However, it can also encompass the implicit testimony of the Father in/through Him, or possibly, prophetically, Jesus together with those who truly align with and bear witness to His truth, like the Apostles (see 1 Jn 1:1-3). It indicates a collective, unified witness, yet primarily focused on Jesus as the ultimate source.
• of what we know (Greek: ὃ οἴδαμεν, ho oidamen): Oidamen denotes intuitive, experiential knowledge, knowledge that comes from personal perception or profound insight, not just intellectual understanding (ginoskō). This "knowledge" refers to Jesus' unique, intimate understanding of God, His will, and heavenly realities, a knowing that transcends human comprehension and is inherent in His divine nature.
• and we testify (Greek: μαρτυροῦμεν, martyroumen): Martyroumen means to bear witness or give evidence. It implies an authoritative declaration based on truth and personal experience, often with legal or factual weight. This is more than just speaking; it's presenting irrefutable truth about heavenly realities.
• to what we have seen (Greek: ὃ ἑωράκαμεν, ho heorakamen): Heorakamen is perfect tense, emphasizing a completed action with continuing results – Jesus has "seen" these things, and the vision remains vivid and certain. "Seen" refers to direct, personal observation of divine reality, not mere theological speculation. For Jesus, this is His pre-existent, continuous fellowship with the Father in the heavenly realm.
• but you do not receive (Greek: οὐ λαμβάνετε, ou lambanete): The use of the plural verb lambanete ("you do not receive") signifies a shift from addressing Nicodemus personally to addressing the general group he represents – the Jewish leadership, perhaps the Jewish people as a whole, or anyone whose earthly understanding hinders their acceptance of divine truth. "To receive" implies not just hearing but accepting, believing, and integrating the message into one's life. The direct "no" (οὐ) emphasizes their complete rejection.
• our testimony (Greek: τὴν μαρτυρίαν ἡμῶν, tēn martyrian hēmōn): Martyrian refers to the full witness or testimony of Jesus – His words, deeds, miracles, and the truth of His identity and mission. It is the comprehensive declaration of divine realities based on "knowing" and "seeing." The "our" here reinforces the "we" mentioned earlier, emphasizing the singular, unified, and divine source of this unaccepted truth.

• "Truly, truly...we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen": This phrase highlights Jesus' unparalleled authority and authenticity. His message isn't learned information but revelation from intimate knowledge and direct divine observation. It distinguishes His teaching from human doctrines or mere tradition.
• "we...you (plural)": The juxtaposition of the authoritative "we" (Jesus/divine witness) and the resistant "you" (religious establishment/unbelieving humanity) draws a stark line between divine truth-tellers and those who reject that truth, setting the stage for the Gospel's challenge to human autonomy.

John 3 11 Bonus section

• Polemic against Jewish Religious Authority: This verse carries a direct polemic against the Jewish religious leaders' spiritual authority and understanding. Despite being stewards of God's revelation, they failed to recognize the ultimate revelation in Jesus. Their claim to knowledge of God and His Law (based on scripture and tradition) is subtly challenged by Jesus' claim to experiential knowledge of divine realities, implying their knowledge was insufficient or flawed for grasping spiritual truths about the Kingdom.
• Prophetic 'We': While primarily referring to Jesus Himself as the singular Divine Witness, the "we" can also be interpreted as a prophetic collective – anticipating the witness of the Spirit through the disciples (e.g., Acts 1:8, John 15:26-27). This implies a unified, Spirit-empowered testimony that would continue after Jesus' departure, faced with similar rejection.
• Shift in Perspective: Jesus pushes Nicodemus from a theological-historical perspective ("a teacher come from God based on signs") to a deeper, spiritual-ontological reality ("what we know and have seen"). This signifies the inadequacy of relying solely on external signs or traditional interpretations without a regenerated spiritual understanding.
• The Scandal of Particularity: The verse highlights the "scandal of particularity"—that divine truth is revealed definitively in a specific person (Jesus) and in specific actions. For those steeped in generalized religious knowledge, accepting a singular, direct revelation can be a stumbling block.

John 3 11 Commentary

John 3:11 stands as a profound declaration by Jesus, asserting the irrefutable truth and divine origin of His message while lamenting its rejection by those expected to embrace it. The emphatic "Truly, truly" underscores the solemnity and certainty of His claims. Jesus identifies Himself (and perhaps the Father with Him) as the ultimate witness, drawing upon an exclusive, intimate, and experiential "knowledge" and "sight" of heavenly realities. This is a foundational statement about His unique connection to God and the source of His authority, establishing Him as the unrivaled revealer of spiritual truth.

The pivot from "I say to you (singular Nicodemus)" to "you (plural) do not receive our testimony" is critical. It implies that Nicodemus, despite his sincere inquiry, represents a larger spiritual problem within the religious leadership and a prevailing blindness to God's work. They possessed an earthly, law-based paradigm that rendered them unable to grasp spiritual regeneration or heavenly concepts presented by the divine Messenger. This verse not only highlights the veracity of Jesus' claims but also exposes the tragic reality of unbelief – not just ignorance, but a willful inability or refusal to accept the self-authenticating truth of God presented directly. It lays the groundwork for the ensuing discussion on light and darkness, and the fundamental choice between belief and condemnation.