Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 3:31

"He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is of the earth, and of the earth he speaketh: he that cometh from heaven is above all." — John 3:31 (ASV)

This paragraph, like vv.16–21, is likely the author’s reflection on what he has just written. Its phraseology accords better with the style of vv.16–21 than with that of John the Baptist. John declares in no uncertain terms (1) that Jesus came from heaven and spoke with a higher authority than that of earth; (2) that he spoke from observation, not from theory; (3) that he spoke the words of God; (4) that the Father’s love had caused him to endow the Son with complete authority to execute his purpose. These qualities made Jesus superior in every way to John the Baptist, though the latter had an important and divinely authorized message. John spoke as one “from the earth.” The Son, however, was not merely the messenger of God; he was the revealed object of faith. Once again the dividing line is affirmed. The believer in the Son has eternal life; the unbeliever will never possess that life, for he is already under condemnation. The wrath of God remains on him.

This is the only passage in this gospel and John’s letters in which “wrath” (GK 3973) is mentioned. This word does not mean a sudden gust of passion or a burst of temper. Rather, it is the settled displeasure of God against sin. God is neither easily angered nor vindictive. But by his very nature he is unalterably committed to opposing and judging all disobedience. The moral laws of the universe are as unvarying and unchangeable as its physical laws, and God cannot set aside either without violating his own nature.