Verse of the Day
Author Spotlight
Loading featured author...
Report Issue
See a formatting issue or error?
Let us know →
Verse Takeaways
1
Earthly vs. Heavenly Truths
Commentators clarify that "earthly things" are not worldly or sinful. Instead, they are spiritual realities that happen on earth, with the new birth being the primary example. "Heavenly things" refer to the deeper mysteries of God's redemptive plan, such as the nature of the Son of God and the purpose of His sacrifice. Jesus is contrasting foundational truths with more advanced ones.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
John
Author
Audience
Composition
Teaching Highlights
Outline
+ 5 more
See Overview
Commentaries
17
Albert Barnes
On John 3:12
18th Century
Theologian
If I have told you earthly things. Things which occur on earth. Not sensual or worldly things, for Jesus had said nothin…
AT Robertson
On John 3:12
If I told (ε ειπον). Condition of the first class, assumed to be true.
Earthly things (τα επιγεια). Things…
Charles Ellicott
On John 3:12
19th Century
Bishop
Earthly things—that is, things upon earth, having the sphere of their action upon earth. These are not necessarily restricted to t…
Go Ad-Free
Go ad-free and create your own bookmark library
Charles Spurgeon
On John 3:12
19th Century
Preacher
If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
Regeneration is a wo…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On John 3:12
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…
John Calvin
On John 3:12
16th Century
Theologian
If I have told you earthly things. Christ concludes that Nicodemus and others are at fault if they do not advance in the doctrine of the G…
John Gill
On John 3:12
17th Century
Pastor
If I have told you earthly things
Not that the doctrines he delivered were earthly ones; for he was not of the earth, but from …