John 3:33

33 Whoever receives his testimony 1sets his seal to this, 2that God is true.

John 3:33 Meaning and Commentary

John 3:33

He that hath received his testimony
For there was here and there one that did, who believed in him as the Messiah, and embraced his Gospel, and submitted to his ordinances, and truly and sincerely followed him: and for the encouragement of such, it is said, hath set to his seal that God is true;
faithful in fulfilling the promises he has made concerning the Messiah, and his coming: he firmly believes that God is true to every word of his, and will make good every promise; and this he seals, ratifies, and confirms by his embracing the testimony of Christ; whereas, on the contrary, he that believes not makes God a liar, than which, nothing can be more reproachful to him, ( 1 John 5:10 ) . The Jews have a saying F26 that "the seal of the blessed God is truth". The Arabic version renders it, "he is already sealed, because God is true"; and the Ethiopic version, "God hath sealed him, because he is true"; namely, with his holy Spirit; see ( 2 Corinthians 1:22 ) ( Ephesians 1:13 ) ( 4:30 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F26 T. Hieros. Sanhedrin, fol. 18. 1. & T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 64. 1. & Yoma, fol. 69. 2.

John 3:33 In-Context

31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all.
32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony.
33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true.
34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.
35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.

Cross References 2

  • 1. [John 6:27; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; Revelation 7:3-8]
  • 2. [1 John 5:10]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.