Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 3:13

"And no one hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven, [even] the Son of man, who is in heaven." — John 3:13 (ASV)

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Now Nicodemus must have been indeed puzzled. Here was a man who had come down from heaven, yet who had gone up to heaven, and was still there, although he was at that moment talking to Nicodemus! Without the Spirit of God to explain the mystery, he could not make top or bottom of it.

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

It is Christ who knows everything. He understands all mysteries; he can teach all truth, for he has been in heaven, he came down to earth, and he has gone back again to heaven.

Now, perhaps, some of you will be saying, "How are we to be saved? If there is no salvation without the new birth, how can we obtain the new birth?" Listen.

The same chapter which tells you of the mystery of regeneration, tells you of the simple way of salvation by faith in Christ.

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

This saying must have puzzled Nicodemus. He had, doubtless, read a great many riddles, but into the meaning of this riddle he could not enter. Yet, beloved, any child of God, even if converted only yesterday, may know what Jesus meant. Now observe that, while the first part of this chapter sets forth the need for a great and supernatural change, the latter part shows us the door of mercy wide open and tells us that faith in Christ will save us.

And no man has ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

We are in the stairway now between heaven and earth; Christ has come down; Christ has gone up, and yet he was always there; a mystery, but one that is true, and new. Today we can go up by thought and prayer, and blessings can come down; and Christ is always there. "He is at the Father's side, the Man of Love, the Crucified."

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

A riddle, doubtless, to Nicodemus, which in later days he understood.

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

He alone knows the secrets of God who has been with God, who has come from God, and who is still with God.

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

So far, this chapter speaks of the new birth, and there are many people who are much perplexed because they cannot comprehend this great mystery. They ask, "How, then, can we be saved? Is there no way of salvation without the new birth?"

Assuredly there is none, yet the way of salvation is very simple and clear. It is, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.

And it is very significant that this chapter, which, beyond any other, teaches the doctrine of the new birth, with equal clearness teaches the doctrine of salvation by faith in Christ. Listen:

(Commentary continued in next verse) –

And no man has ascended up to heaven, but He who came down from heaven, even the Son of Man, who is in heaven.

There was a nut that Nicodemus could not crack, a riddle that he could not solve; and the Saviour left him thus puzzled, for the time being, so that he might learn that, unless he was taught by the Spirit, he could not understand the teaching of Christ. You and I, who have been taught by the Spirit, understand the meaning of these words, but Nicodemus did not, though he was "a master of Israel."

Now follows another passage of Scripture which I always rejoice to read in this chapter. There are two great truths revealed here: one is that we must be born again, and the other is that whoever believes in Christ is saved.

Sometimes these two truths seem to come into conflict with one another. A man says, "You say to me, 'Only believe, and you will be saved;' and then, later, you tell me that I must be born again. Are both these statements true?" Yes, they are both true, and they are both in this chapter. We have been reading about the necessity of regeneration; now comes the glorious freeness of the gospel of Christ.