Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 3:12

"If I told you earthly things and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you heavenly things?" — John 3:12 (ASV)

The “earthly things” (GK 2103) Jesus alluded to were probably the phenomena he used for illustrations, such as the wind. If Nicodemus was unable to grasp the meaning of spiritual truth as conveyed by concrete analogy, how would he do so if it were couched in an abstract statement? No one had ever entered into heaven to experience its realities directly except Jesus himself, the Son of Man, who had come from heaven. Revelation, not discovery, is the basis for faith.