John 3:11
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
John 3:11
Verse 11 signals a transition from earthly discourse to heavenly witness. Jesus asserts that he and his audience speak from what they know and have seen, yet the audience does not receive their testimony. This reflects the recurring Johannine pattern: the divine revelation is clear to those who have spiritual sight, but many resist or misunderstand. The “we” in this verse points to the authoritative witness of Jesus and likely the Father and the Spirit at work in Jesus’ ministry. The tension is palpable: revelation is present, yet reception is lacking among some listeners. The setting reinforces the universal need for divine unveiling of truth.
This verse underscores the credibility of Jesus’ testimony and the centrality of witnessing to God’s deeds. It frames the gospel as an event of revelation that invites belief; refusal to receive it reveals spiritual blindness or hardened hearts. It also intimates the Trinitarian pattern of witness—the Father, Son, and Spirit bearing consistent testimony about God’s kingdom.
Embrace the reliability of Jesus’ testimony and the witness you receive in Scripture. If you struggle to accept what you hear about spiritual realities, seek the Spirit’s illumination and surround yourself with trustworthy mentors or communities that encourage faith. For those sharing faith, emphasize the credibility of Jesus’ words and the observable acts of God in everyday life—acts of mercy, transformation, and love—as evidence of the kingdom breaking in.
Cross-References: John 5:37-40; John 15:26-27; 1 John 5:9-10