John 3 Study Notes

3:19-21 On Jesus as the light, see note at 8:12.

3:22 Jesus left the vicinity of Jerusalem and headed to the Judean countryside. In 4:3, Jesus left Judea altogether, returning to Galilee (2:12) by way of Samaria.

3:23-25 The ministries of Jesus and John overlapped and led to a dispute between their respective disciples.

3:26 On John the Baptist as a witness to Jesus, see note at 5:31-47.

3:27 John points out that Jesus would not be having such success unless God was in it.

3:28 John’s assertion that he had been sent ahead of the Messiah may allude to Mal 3:1 (cp. Mt 11:10; Mk 1:2; Lk 7:27).

3:29 John’s reference to Jesus as the groom (cp. Mt 9:15) identified Jesus as Israel’s long-awaited King and Messiah. In the OT, Israel is frequently depicted as God’s “bride” (Is 62:4-5; Jr 2:2; Hs 2:16-20). John’s role was that of the groom’s friend, who selflessly rejoiced with the groom (1:6-9,15,19-36).

3:30 John the Baptist downplayed his disciples’ concerns expressed in v. 26. Now that the light had come (1:6-9), the “lamp” had done its work (see note at 5:35).

3:31-32 The one who comes from above is Jesus. The earthly one is John the Baptist, but it speaks not of sin but of finiteness.

3:33 Has affirmed (Gk sphragizo) means literally “to seal” in the sense of confirming or authenticating something as true (see note at 6:27-29).

3:34 On Jesus as the recipient of God’s Spirit, see note at 1:32-34 (see also Rv 3:1; 5:6).

3:35 The Father has given the Son authority over all things because of his love.

3:36 Has eternal life indicates that eternal life is not just a future expectation but is already a present experience. The wrath of God remains on him makes clear that unless a person believes in Jesus the Messiah, he remains under God’s judgment (vv. 19-21).