God not only gave Jesus His Spirit without measure, but He has placed everything in His hands. The Father has been gracious to the Son because He loves Him even as He has been gracious to human beings in providing salvation because He loves us. Everything that the Father has done, revealing and redeeming, flows from His love for people through the Son. This statement also points out the dependence of the human Jesus on the Father, one of John"s major themes. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
John 3:31-36 - A Witness To Be Trusted
Let us all seek to live more habitually in heaven, that is, in contact with the spiritual world. To do our best work in the world it is not necessary to be great in argument or rhetoric, but simply to bear witness of what we have seen and heard. It is true that the natural man will not receive our testimony. Paul found that out in after years, 1 Corinthians 2:14. But where our witness is accepted by the spiritually-minded, another seal is placed upon it as being the truth of God. Notice also that when a man is sent on God's errand and speaks God's word, he can count on the supply of God's spirit without stint. There is no careful measurement of how much or how little. For long years and to any extent, he may count upon God.
Note the present tenses of the last two verses. They are as true today as when first uttered. Our eternity dates not from our dying moment, but from that in which we first trust in Jesus Christ. If you can do nothing else, be willing to trust Him as soon as He is revealed to you, and in the meanwhile obey Him; that path will bring you into the open. [source]
Chapter Summary: John 3
1Jesus teaches Nicodemus the necessity of being born again, 14of faith in his death, 16the great love of God toward the world, 18and the condemnation for unbelief 22Jesus baptizes in Judea 23The baptism, witness, and doctrine of John concerning Jesus
Greek Commentary for John 3:35
Hath given all things into his hand [παντα δεδωκεν εν τηι χειρι αυτου] John makes the same statement about Jesus in John 13:3 (using εις τας χειρας eis tas cheiras instead of εν τηι χειρι en tēi cheiri). Jesus makes the same claim in John 5:19-30; Matthew 11:27; Matthew 28:18. [source]
John 5:20Loveth [φιλεῖ] To love is expressed by two words in the New Testament, φιλέω and ἀγαπάω . Ἁγαπάω indicates a reasoning, discriminating attachment, founded in the conviction that its object is worthy of esteem, or entitled to it on account of benefits bestowed. Φιλέω represents a warmer, more instinctive sentiment, more closely allied to feeling, and implying more passion. Hence ἀγαπάω is represented by the Latin diligo, the fundamental idea of which is selection, the deliberate choice of one out of a number, on sufficient grounds, as an object of regard. Thus φιλέω emphasizes the affectional element of love, and ἀγαπάω the intelligent element. Socrates, in Xenophon's “Memorabilia,” advises his friend Aristarchus to alleviate the necessities of his dependents by furnishing means to set them at work. Aristarchus having acted upon his advice, Xenophon says that the women in his employ loved ( ἐφίλουν ) him as their protector, while he in turn loved ( ἠγάπα ) them because they were of use to him (“Memorabilia,” ii., 7, §12). Jesus' sentiment toward Martha and Mary is described by ἠγάπα , John 11:5. Men are bidden to love ( ἀγαπᾶν ) God (Matthew 22:37; 1 Corinthians 8:3); never φιλεῖν , since love to God implies an intelligent discernment of His attributes and not merely an affectionate sentiment. Both elements are combined in the Father's love for the Son (Matthew 3:17; John 3:35; John 4:20). Ἁγάπη is used throughout the panegyric of love in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, and an examination of that chapter will show how large a part the discriminating element plays in the Apostle's conception of love. The noun αγάπη nowhere appears in classical writings. As Trench remarks, it “is a word born within the bosom of revealed religion.”' Εράω , in which the idea of sensual passion predominates, is nowhere used in the New Testament. Trench has some interesting remarks on its tendency toward a higher set of associations in the Platonic writings (“Synonyms,” p. 42). [source]
John 5:20Loveth [πιλει] In John 3:35 we have αγαπαι agapāi from αγαπαω agapaō evidently one verb expressing as noble a love as the other. Sometimes a distinction (John 21:17) is made, but not here, unless πιλεω phileō presents the notion of intimate friendship Τουτων Toutōn is ablative case after the comparative μειζονα meizona (from μεγας megas great). John often uses εργα erga for the miracles of Christ (John 5:36; John 7:3,John 7:21; John 10:25,John 10:32,John 10:38, etc.). It is the Father who does these works (John 14:10). There is more to follow. Even the disciples will surpass what Christ is doing in the extent of the work (John 14:12). Δειχει Deixei is future active indicative of δεικνυμι deiknumi to show. See also John 10:32. That ye may marvel Purpose clause with ινα hina and present active subjunctive of ταυμαζω thaumazō Wonder belongs to childhood and to men of knowledge. Modern science has increased the occasion for wonder. Clement of Alexandria has a saying of Jesus: “He that wonders shall reign, and he that reigns shall rest.” [source]
John 5:22He hath given all judgment unto the Son [την κρισιν πασαν δεδωκεν τωι υιωι] Perfect active indicative of διδωμι didōmi state of completion (as in John 3:35; John 6:27,John 6:29; John 10:29, etc.). See this prerogative claimed for Christ already in John 3:17. See the picture of Christ as Judge of men in Matt 25:31-46. [source]
John 5:26In himself [εν εαυτωι] The Living God possesses life wholly in himself and so he has bestowed this power of life to the Son as already stated in the Prologue of the Logos (John 1:3). For “gave” (εδωκεν edōken timeless aorist active indicative) see also John 3:35; John 17:2,John 17:24. The particles “as” (ωσπερ hōsper) and “so” (ουτως houtōs) mark here the fact, not the degree (Westcott). [source]
John 3:34God giveth [] The best texts omit God. Rev., He giveth. Rev., also, rightly, omits the italicized to Him. The personal object of the verb giveth is indefinite. Render, He giveth not the Spirit by measure. In order to convey the full force of the terms giveth and by measure, it will be necessary to attempt an explanation of the general scope and meaning of this very difficult and much disputed passage. The starting point of the exposition must be John 3:30, the Baptist's noble resignation of his own position, and claims to Jesus: He must increase, but I must decrease. At this point the Evangelist, as we have seen, takes up the discourse. The Baptist's declaration that Jesus “must increase” - that He is a messenger of a transcendently higher character, and with a far larger and more significant message than his own - furnishes the Evangelist with a text. He will show why Jesus “must increase.” He must increase because He comes from above, and is therefore supreme over all (John 3:31). This statement he repeats; defining from above ( ἄνωθεν ) by out of heaven ( ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ), and emphasizing it by contrast with mere earthly witness ( ὁ ἐκ τῆς γῆς ) whose words bear the stamp of his earthly origin ( ἐκ τῆς γῆς λαλεῖ ). Being from heaven, He testifies of heavenly things, as an eye-and ear-witness. “What He hath seen and heard, of that he beareth witness.” It is indeed true that men reject this testimony. “No man receiveth His witness” (John 3:32). None the less it is worthy of implicit credence as the testimony of God himself. He that has received that testimony has solemnly attested it as God's own witness; “hath set his seal to this, that God is true.” To declare Jesus' testimony untrue is to declare God untrue (John 3:33). For He whom God hath sent utters the whole divine mess age (the words of God, John 3:34). -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Thus far the reasoning is directed to the conclusion that Jesus ought to increase, and that His message ought to be received. He is God's own messenger out of heaven, and speaks God's own words. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
The common explanation of the succeeding clause is that God bestows the Spirit upon Jesus in His fullness, “not by measure.”-DIVIDER-
But this is to repeat what has already been more than implied. It would seem to be superfluous to say of one who comes out of heaven, who is supreme over all things, who bears witness of heavenly things which He has seen and heard, and who reveals the whole message of God to men - that God bestows upon Him the Spirit without measure. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Take up, then, the chain of thought from the first clause of John 3:34, and follow it on another line. The Messenger of God speaks the words of God, and thus shows himself worthy of credence, and shows this further, by dispensing the gift of the Spirit in full measure to His disciples. “He giveth not the Spirit by measure.” This interpretation adds a new link to the chain of thought; a new reason why Jesus should increase, and His testimony be received; the reason, namely, that not only is He himself divinely endowed with the Spirit, but that He proves it by dispensing the Spirit in full measure. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Thus John 3:35follows in natural sequence. This dispensing power which attests His claims, is His through the gift of the divine Father's love. “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.” This latter phrase, into His hand, signifies not only possession, but the power of disposal. See Mark 9:31; Mark 14:41; Luke 23:46; Hebrews 10:31. God has given the Son all things to administer according to His own pleasure and rule. These two ideas of Christ's reception and bestowment of divine gifts are combined in Matthew 11:27. “All things are delivered unto me of my Father; and no man knoweth the Son but the Father, neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son, and He to whomsoever the Son may determine ( βούληται ) to reveal Him.”-DIVIDER-
Therefore John the Baptist must decrease, and Jesus must increase. A measure of the Spirit was given to the Baptist, sufficient for his preparatory work, but the Baptist himself saw the Spirit descending in a bodily form upon the Son of God, and heard the voice from heaven, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” The Spirit is thus Christ's own. He dispenses, gives it ( δίδωσιν ), in its fullness. Hence Jesus said, later, of the Spirit of truth, “He shall glorify Me, for He shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine; therefore said I that He shall take of mine and shall show it unto you” (John 16:14,John 16:15). -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]
John 5:36But the witness which I have is greater than that of John [Εγω δε εχω την μαρτυριαν μειζω του Ιωανου] Literally, “But I have the witness greater than John‘s.” Μειζω Meizō Final clause with ινα hina and first aorist active subjunctive of τελειοω teleioō the same idiom in John 4:34. Jesus felt keenly the task laid on him by the Father (cf. John 3:35) and claimed at the end that he had performed it (John 17:4; John 19:30). Jesus held that the highest form of faith did not require these “works” The very works “The works themselves,” repeating τα εργα ta erga just before for vernacular emphasis. Hath sent me Perfect active indicative of αποστελλω apostellō the permanence of the mission. Cf. John 3:17. The continuance of the witness is emphasized in John 5:32; John 8:18. [source]
Greek Commentary for John 3:35
John makes the same statement about Jesus in John 13:3 (using εις τας χειρας eis tas cheiras instead of εν τηι χειρι en tēi cheiri). Jesus makes the same claim in John 5:19-30; Matthew 11:27; Matthew 28:18. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 3:35
Rev., given. The habitual word for the bestowment of the privileges and functions of the Son. See John 5:36; John 3:35; John 6:37, John 6:39; John 10:29, etc. [source]
To love is expressed by two words in the New Testament, φιλέω and ἀγαπάω . Ἁγαπάω indicates a reasoning, discriminating attachment, founded in the conviction that its object is worthy of esteem, or entitled to it on account of benefits bestowed. Φιλέω represents a warmer, more instinctive sentiment, more closely allied to feeling, and implying more passion. Hence ἀγαπάω is represented by the Latin diligo, the fundamental idea of which is selection, the deliberate choice of one out of a number, on sufficient grounds, as an object of regard. Thus φιλέω emphasizes the affectional element of love, and ἀγαπάω the intelligent element. Socrates, in Xenophon's “Memorabilia,” advises his friend Aristarchus to alleviate the necessities of his dependents by furnishing means to set them at work. Aristarchus having acted upon his advice, Xenophon says that the women in his employ loved ( ἐφίλουν ) him as their protector, while he in turn loved ( ἠγάπα ) them because they were of use to him (“Memorabilia,” ii., 7, §12). Jesus' sentiment toward Martha and Mary is described by ἠγάπα , John 11:5. Men are bidden to love ( ἀγαπᾶν ) God (Matthew 22:37; 1 Corinthians 8:3); never φιλεῖν , since love to God implies an intelligent discernment of His attributes and not merely an affectionate sentiment. Both elements are combined in the Father's love for the Son (Matthew 3:17; John 3:35; John 4:20). Ἁγάπη is used throughout the panegyric of love in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, and an examination of that chapter will show how large a part the discriminating element plays in the Apostle's conception of love. The noun αγάπη nowhere appears in classical writings. As Trench remarks, it “is a word born within the bosom of revealed religion.”' Εράω , in which the idea of sensual passion predominates, is nowhere used in the New Testament. Trench has some interesting remarks on its tendency toward a higher set of associations in the Platonic writings (“Synonyms,” p. 42). [source]
In John 3:35 we have αγαπαι agapāi from αγαπαω agapaō evidently one verb expressing as noble a love as the other. Sometimes a distinction (John 21:17) is made, but not here, unless πιλεω phileō presents the notion of intimate friendship Τουτων Toutōn is ablative case after the comparative μειζονα meizona (from μεγας megas great). John often uses εργα erga for the miracles of Christ (John 5:36; John 7:3, John 7:21; John 10:25, John 10:32, John 10:38, etc.). It is the Father who does these works (John 14:10). There is more to follow. Even the disciples will surpass what Christ is doing in the extent of the work (John 14:12). Δειχει Deixei is future active indicative of δεικνυμι deiknumi to show. See also John 10:32. That ye may marvel Purpose clause with ινα hina and present active subjunctive of ταυμαζω thaumazō Wonder belongs to childhood and to men of knowledge. Modern science has increased the occasion for wonder. Clement of Alexandria has a saying of Jesus: “He that wonders shall reign, and he that reigns shall rest.” [source]
Perfect active indicative of διδωμι didōmi state of completion (as in John 3:35; John 6:27, John 6:29; John 10:29, etc.). See this prerogative claimed for Christ already in John 3:17. See the picture of Christ as Judge of men in Matt 25:31-46. [source]
The Living God possesses life wholly in himself and so he has bestowed this power of life to the Son as already stated in the Prologue of the Logos (John 1:3). For “gave” (εδωκεν edōken timeless aorist active indicative) see also John 3:35; John 17:2, John 17:24. The particles “as” (ωσπερ hōsper) and “so” (ουτως houtōs) mark here the fact, not the degree (Westcott). [source]
The best texts omit God. Rev., He giveth. Rev., also, rightly, omits the italicized to Him. The personal object of the verb giveth is indefinite. Render, He giveth not the Spirit by measure. In order to convey the full force of the terms giveth and by measure, it will be necessary to attempt an explanation of the general scope and meaning of this very difficult and much disputed passage. The starting point of the exposition must be John 3:30, the Baptist's noble resignation of his own position, and claims to Jesus: He must increase, but I must decrease. At this point the Evangelist, as we have seen, takes up the discourse. The Baptist's declaration that Jesus “must increase” - that He is a messenger of a transcendently higher character, and with a far larger and more significant message than his own - furnishes the Evangelist with a text. He will show why Jesus “must increase.” He must increase because He comes from above, and is therefore supreme over all (John 3:31). This statement he repeats; defining from above ( ἄνωθεν ) by out of heaven ( ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ), and emphasizing it by contrast with mere earthly witness ( ὁ ἐκ τῆς γῆς ) whose words bear the stamp of his earthly origin ( ἐκ τῆς γῆς λαλεῖ ). Being from heaven, He testifies of heavenly things, as an eye-and ear-witness. “What He hath seen and heard, of that he beareth witness.” It is indeed true that men reject this testimony. “No man receiveth His witness” (John 3:32). None the less it is worthy of implicit credence as the testimony of God himself. He that has received that testimony has solemnly attested it as God's own witness; “hath set his seal to this, that God is true.” To declare Jesus' testimony untrue is to declare God untrue (John 3:33). For He whom God hath sent utters the whole divine mess age (the words of God, John 3:34). -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- Thus far the reasoning is directed to the conclusion that Jesus ought to increase, and that His message ought to be received. He is God's own messenger out of heaven, and speaks God's own words. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- The common explanation of the succeeding clause is that God bestows the Spirit upon Jesus in His fullness, “not by measure.”-DIVIDER- But this is to repeat what has already been more than implied. It would seem to be superfluous to say of one who comes out of heaven, who is supreme over all things, who bears witness of heavenly things which He has seen and heard, and who reveals the whole message of God to men - that God bestows upon Him the Spirit without measure. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- Take up, then, the chain of thought from the first clause of John 3:34, and follow it on another line. The Messenger of God speaks the words of God, and thus shows himself worthy of credence, and shows this further, by dispensing the gift of the Spirit in full measure to His disciples. “He giveth not the Spirit by measure.” This interpretation adds a new link to the chain of thought; a new reason why Jesus should increase, and His testimony be received; the reason, namely, that not only is He himself divinely endowed with the Spirit, but that He proves it by dispensing the Spirit in full measure. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- Thus John 3:35follows in natural sequence. This dispensing power which attests His claims, is His through the gift of the divine Father's love. “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.” This latter phrase, into His hand, signifies not only possession, but the power of disposal. See Mark 9:31; Mark 14:41; Luke 23:46; Hebrews 10:31. God has given the Son all things to administer according to His own pleasure and rule. These two ideas of Christ's reception and bestowment of divine gifts are combined in Matthew 11:27. “All things are delivered unto me of my Father; and no man knoweth the Son but the Father, neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son, and He to whomsoever the Son may determine ( βούληται ) to reveal Him.”-DIVIDER- Therefore John the Baptist must decrease, and Jesus must increase. A measure of the Spirit was given to the Baptist, sufficient for his preparatory work, but the Baptist himself saw the Spirit descending in a bodily form upon the Son of God, and heard the voice from heaven, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” The Spirit is thus Christ's own. He dispenses, gives it ( δίδωσιν ), in its fullness. Hence Jesus said, later, of the Spirit of truth, “He shall glorify Me, for He shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine; therefore said I that He shall take of mine and shall show it unto you” (John 16:14, John 16:15). -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- [source]
Literally, “But I have the witness greater than John‘s.” Μειζω Meizō Final clause with ινα hina and first aorist active subjunctive of τελειοω teleioō the same idiom in John 4:34. Jesus felt keenly the task laid on him by the Father (cf. John 3:35) and claimed at the end that he had performed it (John 17:4; John 19:30). Jesus held that the highest form of faith did not require these “works” The very works “The works themselves,” repeating τα εργα ta erga just before for vernacular emphasis. Hath sent me Perfect active indicative of αποστελλω apostellō the permanence of the mission. Cf. John 3:17. The continuance of the witness is emphasized in John 5:32; John 8:18. [source]
This phrase has a place in every one of these Epistles. The verb is John's habitual word for the privileges and functions of the Son, whether as bestowed upon Him by the Father, or dispensed by Him to His followers. See John 3:35; John 5:22, John 5:27, John 5:36; John 6:65; John 13:3; John 17:6. Compare Revelation 2:23; Revelation 3:8; Revelation 6:4; Revelation 11:3. [source]