John 3:31

John 3:31 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
• New International Version (NIV)The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.
• English Standard Version (ESV)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.
• New King James Version (NKJV)He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

Context of John 3:31

29“The groom is the person to whom the bride belongs. The best man, who stands and listens to him, is overjoyed when the groom speaks. This is the joy that I feel. 30He must increase in importance, while I must decrease in importance. “The person who comes from above is superior to everyone. I, a person from the earth, know nothing but what is on earth, and that’s all I can talk about. The person who comes from heaven is superior to everyone 32and tells what he has seen and heard. Yet, no one accepts what he says. 33I have accepted what that person said, and I have affirmed that God is truthful.

John 3:31 word by word

ὁ ἄνωθεν ἐρχόμενος ἐπάνω πάντων ἐστίν. ὁ ὢν ἐκ τῆς γῆς ἐκ τῆς γῆς ἐστιν καὶ ἐκ τῆς γῆς λαλεῖ. ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἐρχόμενος ἐπάνω πάντων ἐστίν·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• He that comethὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• He that comethἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
• from aboveἄνωθενanōthen · from above/againG509
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• aboveἐπάνωepanō · aboveG1883
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• the earthγῆgē · earth: planetG1093
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• speakethλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• heavenοὐρανόςouranos · heavenG3772

Cross-references for John 3:31

• John 3:13No one has gone to heaven except the Son of Man, who came from heaven.
• John 6:33God’s bread is the man who comes from heaven and gives life to the world.”
• John 8:23Jesus said to them, “You’re from below. I’m from above. You’re from this world. I’m not from this world.
• Ephesians 1:20He worked with that same power in Christ when he brought him back to life and gave him the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne.
• Ephesians 4:8That’s why the Scriptures say: “When he went to the highest place, he took captive those who had captured us and gave gifts to people.”
• John 1:15(John declared the truth about him when he said loudly, “This is the person about whom I said, ‘The one who comes after me was before me because he existed before I did.’ ”)
• John 5:21In the same way that the Father brings back the dead and gives them life, the Son gives life to anyone he chooses.
• Matthew 28:18When Jesus came near, he spoke to them. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
• Acts 10:36God sent his word to the people of Israel and brought them the Good News of peace through Jesus Christ. This Jesus Christ is everyone’s Lord.
• Romans 9:5The Messiah is descended from their ancestors according to his human nature. The Messiah is God over everything, forever blessed. Amen.
• Ephesians 1:21He is far above all rulers, authorities, powers, lords, and all other names that can be named, not only in this present world but also in the world to come.
• Philippians 2:9This is why God has given him an exceptional honor— the name honored above all other names—
• 1 Peter 3:22Now Christ has gone to heaven where he holds the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the throne. Angels, rulers, and powers have been placed under his authority.
• Revelation 19:16On his clothes and his thigh he has a name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
• John 3:12If you don’t believe me when I tell you about things on earth, how will you believe me when I tell you about things in heaven?
• 1 Corinthians 15:47The first man was made from the dust of the earth. He came from the earth. The second man came from heaven.

Commentaries on John 3:31

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 31Is above all - This blessed bridegroom, who has descended from heaven, John 3:13, is above all, superior to Moses, the prophets, and me. He that is of the earth - John himself, who was born in the common way of man. Speaketh of the earth - Cannot speak of heavenly things as Christ can do; and only represents Divine matters by these earthly ordinances; for the spirit and meaning of which, you must all go to the Messiah himself.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 31He that cometh from above - The Messiah, represented as coming down from heaven. See John 3:13; John 6:33; John 8:23. It has been doubted whether the remainder of this chapter contains the words of “John the Baptist” or of “the evangelist.” The former is the more probable opinion, but it is difficult to decide it, and it is of very little consequence. Is above all - In nature, rank, and authority. “Is superior to all prophets” Hebrews 1:1-2; “to all…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 22-36Verses 22-36 John was fully satisfied with the place and work assigned him; but Jesus came on a more important work. He also knew that Jesus would increase in honour and influence, for of his government and peace there would be no end, while he himself would be less followed. John knew that Jesus came from heaven as the Son of God, while he was a sinful, mortal man, who could only speak about the more plain subjects of religion. The words of Jesus were…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 31Jesus came from heaven. Because of this, he alone was able to make the Father known (1:18; 3:13).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 31-3431-34. He that, &c.--Here is the reason why He must increase while all human teachers must decrease. The Master "cometh from above"--descending from His proper element, the region of those "heavenly things" which He came to reveal, and so, although mingling with men and things on the earth, is not "of the earth," either in Person or Word. The servants, on the contrary, springing of earth, are of the earth, and their testimony, even though divine in…Read the comment

Topics related to John 3:31

• Blindness
• Jesus, the Christ
• John

In the dictionaries

• Born
• Condemn
• Condemnation
• Darkness
• Decrease
• Earth
• Faith
• Increase
• Love
• Testify

Commentaries on John 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings