What is the meaning of John 3:31? The One who comes from above is above all “ ‘The One who comes from above is above all’ ” (John 3:31a) • Jesus is plainly identified as “from above,” the eternal Word who “was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1–3). • Because He is “from above,” His authority is unlimited and unrivaled. Colossians 1:16–17 says, “all things were created through Him and for Him… in Him all things hold together.” • Hebrews 1:3 reinforces this supremacy: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory… sustaining all things by His powerful word.” • Practically, His heavenly origin means His teachings carry the very authority of God, not merely the insights of a human teacher (Matthew 7:28–29). The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth “ ‘The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth’ ” (John 3:31b) • “From the earth” points to humanity’s natural origin—“The LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground” (Genesis 2:7). • Earth-born teachers, even the best of prophets like John the Baptist, have limited perspective: – 1 Corinthians 2:14 notes the natural man “cannot understand the things of the Spirit of God.” – Isaiah 55:8–9 reminds us that God’s thoughts are higher than ours. • What earthly teachers say is necessarily shaped by finite understanding and fallenness (Romans 3:23). • This contrast magnifies grace: heaven’s message reaches us through Christ, not through human speculation. The One who comes from heaven is above all “ ‘The One who comes from heaven is above all’ ” (John 3:31c) • John repeats the truth for emphasis: the heavenly Christ reigns supreme. Revelation 19:16 calls Him “King of kings and Lord of lords.” • His heavenly descent ensures an unbroken link between God’s throne and our world (John 6:38). • Because He is “above all,” He alone can give the Spirit “without measure” (John 3:34) and grant eternal life to those who believe (John 3:36). • Philippians 2:9–11 declares that every knee will bow to Him—a reality that flows directly from His heavenly authority. summary John 3:31 draws a sharp line between the earthly and the heavenly. Jesus, coming “from above,” stands unmatched in authority, insight, and saving power. Human voices, even faithful ones, are limited by earthly origin, but the voice from heaven is definitive. Trusting and obeying the One “above all” anchors our faith in divine certainty rather than human opinion. |
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