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

29It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. 30He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. 32He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! 33Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true.

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 ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven.
• John 6:33The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
• John 8:23Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not.
• Ephesians 1:20that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
• Ephesians 4:8That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.”
• John 1:15John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”
• John 5:21For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants.
• Matthew 28:18Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
• Acts 10:36This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
• Romans 9:5Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are their ancestors, and Christ himself was an Israelite as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, the one who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.
• Ephesians 1:21Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.
• Philippians 2:9Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,
• 1 Peter 3:22Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.
• Revelation 19:16On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
• John 3:12But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
• 1 Corinthians 15:47Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, 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