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John answered, "A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given him from heaven.
Verse Takeaways
1
God is the Giver
Commentators agree that John's core message is that all success, spiritual authority, and ability are gifts from God. He applies this to both his own ministry and Jesus's rapidly growing influence. This principle reminds believers that any good they accomplish or any position they hold is not earned but received "from heaven."
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Book Overview
John
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10
18th Century
Presbyterian
John answered, etc. John did not enter into their feelings or sympathize with their love of party. He came to honor Jesus, not to build up…
Except it have been given him from heaven (εαν μη η δεδομενον αυτω εκ του ουρανου). See the same idiom in Joh 6:65 (cf. 19:11). Co…
19th Century
Anglican
A man can receive nothing . . .—Do these words apply to the Baptist himself, or to Christ? Do they mean, “I cannot assume…
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Baptist
After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea, and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptiz…
John showed no jealousy whatever; on the contrary, he reaffirmed his subordinate position (cf. 1:29–31). He would not claim for himself final autho…
16th Century
Protestant
A man cannot receive anything. Some refer these words to Christ, as if John accused the disciples of wicked presumption in opposition to G…
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17th Century
Reformed Baptist
John answered and said The Syriac and Arabic versions add, "to them"; the answer being made to the disciples of John…
John was fully satisfied with the place and work assigned to him, but Jesus came for a more important work. He also knew that Jesus would increase …
13th Century
Catholic
Here we have John’s answer to the question his disciples presented to him. Their question contained two points: a complaint about the off…
