John 3:11

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 3:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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 — American Standard Version

Context — John 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11Verily, 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.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, we speak that we do know, etc.] Meaning either himself, and John the Baptist his forerunner, who preached the same doctrine of regeneration, internal sanctification, and evangelical repentance, as well as outward reformation, as necessary to entrance into the kingdom of heaven, or the Gospel dispensation, he declared was just at hand; or his disciples with himself, who were now with him, and whom he had called to preach the same truths he himself did; or the prophets of the Old Testament, who agreed with him in these things; or the Father that was with him, and never left him alone, and the Holy Spirit that was upon him, by whom he was anointed to preach…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“We speak that we know, and . . . have seen--that is, by absolute knowledge and immediate vision of God, which "the only-begotten Son in the bosom of the Father" claims as exclusively His own (Joh 1:18). The "we" and "our" are here used, though Himself only is intended, in emphatic contrast, probably, with the opening words of Nicodemus, "Rabbi, we know.", &c. ye receive not, &c.--referring to the class to which Nicodemus belonged, but from which he was beginning to be separated in spirit.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“We speak - Jesus here speaks in the plural number, including himself and those engaged with him in preaching the gospel. Nicodemus had said John 3:2, “we know that thou art,” etc., including himself and those with whom he acted. Jesus in reply said, we, who are engaged in spreading the new doctrines about which you have come to inquire, speak what we know. We do not deliver doctrines which we do not practically understand. This is a positive affirmation of Jesus, which he had a right to make about his new doctrine. he knew its truth, and those who came into his kingdom knew it also. We learn here: That the Pharisees taught doctrines which they did not practically understand. They taught much…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“We speak what we know - I and all that believe in me. John 3:12”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“verily: Joh 3:3, Joh 3:5 We speak: Joh 3:13, Joh 3:32-34, Joh 1:18, Joh 7:16, Joh 8:14, Joh 8:28, Joh 8:29, Joh 8:38, Joh 12:49, Joh 14:24; Isa 55:4; Mat 11:27; Luk 10:22; Jo1 1:1-3, Jo1 5:6-12; Rev 1:5, Rev 3:14 ye: Joh 3:32, Joh 1:11, Joh 5:31-40, Joh 5:43, Joh 12:37, Joh 12:38; Isa 50:2, Isa 53:1, Isa 65:2; Mat 23:37; Act 22:18, Act 28:23-27; Co2 4:4 John 3:12”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification