John Calvin Commentary John 3:11

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that which we know, and bear witness of that which we have seen; and ye receive not our witness." — John 3:11 (ASV)

We speak what we know. Some refer this to Christ and John the Baptist; others say that the plural number is used instead of the singular. For my own part, I have no doubt that Christ mentions himself in connection with all the prophets of God, and speaks generally in the person of all.

Philosophers and other vainglorious teachers frequently bring forward trifles which they have themselves invented; but Christ claims it as peculiar to himself and all the servants of God, that they deliver no doctrine but what is certain. For God does not send ministers to prattle about things that are unknown or doubtful, but trains them in his school, so that they may afterwards deliver to others what they have learned from him.

Again, as Christ, by this testimony, recommends to us the certainty of his doctrine, so he enjoins on all his ministers a law of modesty, not to put forward their own dreams or conjectures — not to preach human inventions, which have no solidity in them — but to give a faithful and pure testimony to God.

Therefore, let everyone ascertain what the Lord has revealed to them, so that no one may go beyond the bounds of their faith; and, lastly, that no one may allow themselves to speak anything but what they have heard from the Lord. It ought to be observed, likewise, that Christ here confirms his doctrine by an oath, so that it may have full authority over us.

You receive not our testimony. This is added so that the Gospel may lose nothing on account of human ingratitude.

For since few people are found who exercise faith in the truth of God, and since the truth is everywhere rejected by the world, we ought to defend it against contempt. This defense is necessary so that its majesty may not be held in lesser esteem, even though the whole world despises it and obscures it by impiety.

Now though the meaning of the words is simple and singular, we must still draw a twofold doctrine from this passage:

1. The first is that our faith in the Gospel should not be weakened if it has few disciples on earth. It is as if Christ had said, "Though you do not receive my doctrine, it remains nevertheless certain and durable, for human unbelief will never prevent God from remaining always true."

2. The second is that those who, in the present day, disbelieve the Gospel will not escape with impunity, since the truth of God is holy and sacred. We ought to be fortified with this shield, so that we may persevere in obedience to the Gospel in opposition to human obstinacy.

Indeed, it is true that we must hold to this principle: our faith must be founded on God. But when we have God as our security, we ought, like people elevated above the heavens, boldly to tread the whole world under our feet, or regard it with lofty disdain, rather than allow the unbelief of anyone whomever to fill us with alarm.

Regarding the complaint Christ makes that his testimony is not received, we learn from it that the word of God has, in all ages, been distinguished by this peculiar feature: those who believed it were few. For the expression — you receive not — applies to the greater number, and almost to the whole body of the people.

Therefore, there is no reason that we should now be discouraged if the number of those who believe is small.