John 3:11 – “Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In this verse, Jesus is responding to Nicodemus’ confusion about being “born again.” He starts with “Very truly I tell you” (or “Truly, truly” in some translations), a phrase that signals He is about to share something of great importance.
Jesus makes it clear that He is speaking from direct knowledge and experience. When He says, “we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen,” He is pointing out that His teaching is not based on speculation or human wisdom—it is based on truth that He personally knows.
However, Jesus also calls out the unbelief of Nicodemus and others. When He says, “but still you people do not accept our testimony,” He is not just speaking about Nicodemus alone. The phrase “you people” suggests that Nicodemus represents a larger group—likely the religious leaders of Israel who were rejecting Jesus’ message.
This verse reveals a key issue: many people refuse to believe the truth, even when it is clearly presented. Jesus, the Son of God, is speaking about things He has firsthand knowledge of, yet people still reject His words.
Historical Context
Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. The Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the Law and their resistance to new teachings that challenged their traditions.
By this point in Jesus’ ministry, many religious leaders were already skeptical of Him. They were unwilling to accept that He had the authority to speak about spiritual matters, even though He had performed miracles and taught with power.
Jesus’ words here reflect a pattern seen throughout His ministry—many people, especially the religious leaders, refused to accept His teaching because it did not fit their expectations.
Nicodemus, as one of Israel’s religious teachers, should have recognized the truth of what Jesus was saying, especially since the Old Testament had already spoken about spiritual renewal (Ezekiel 36:26-27). However, like many others, he struggled to accept the idea that salvation was not about keeping the Law but about a spiritual transformation that only God could bring.
Theological Implications
This verse teaches several key spiritual truths:
- Jesus speaks with divine authority.
- He does not rely on human opinions or speculation. His words are based on direct knowledge of God’s truth.
- People often reject the truth.
- Even when truth is clearly presented, many refuse to accept it. This is not just an issue from Jesus’ time—it is still true today.
- Faith requires more than just knowledge.
- Nicodemus had religious knowledge, but he needed to accept Jesus’ words by faith. Knowing about God is not the same as believing in Him.
- Spiritual blindness is a real problem.
- Jesus’ words expose the hardness of heart that can prevent people from seeing the truth, even when it is right in front of them.
This verse challenges the idea that people will automatically believe if they just have enough evidence. Many people reject Jesus not because there is a lack of truth, but because their hearts are unwilling to receive it.
Literary Analysis
John 3:11 follows the pattern of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, where He repeatedly contrasts spiritual truth with human misunderstanding.
The use of “Very truly I tell you” (or “Truly, truly”) emphasizes that what Jesus is saying is not just an opinion—it is absolute truth. This phrase is often used in John’s Gospel when Jesus is revealing something profound about God’s kingdom.
The shift from “I” to “we” in “we speak of what we know” is interesting. Some believe Jesus is referring to Himself and John the Baptist, who had also been preaching about spiritual renewal. Others see this as Jesus speaking on behalf of God the Father and the Holy Spirit, showing that His message comes directly from God.
The contrast between “what we know” and “you people do not accept” highlights the problem of unbelief. Jesus is presenting clear truth, but people are refusing to accept it. This reflects a major theme in John’s Gospel—the battle between belief and unbelief.
Biblical Cross-References
- John 1:10-11 – Jesus came to His own people, but they did not receive Him.
- John 8:26 – Jesus speaks what He has heard from the Father.
- John 14:6 – Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
- Ezekiel 36:26-27 – God promises to give people new hearts and put His Spirit in them.
- 1 Corinthians 2:14 – Spiritual truths are only understood through the Spirit.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
Many people today are like Nicodemus—they are religious, they know about God, but they struggle to accept Jesus’ words at face value.
This verse reminds us that belief in Jesus is not just about having knowledge—it requires faith. Jesus has given clear testimony about who He is and what it takes to enter God’s kingdom, but each person must choose whether to accept His words or reject them.
For believers, this verse is also a challenge. Are we listening to Jesus’ words, or are we resisting them like Nicodemus did at first? Do we accept what Jesus teaches, even when it challenges our own ideas?
It is also a reminder that when we share the gospel, not everyone will accept it. Just as many people rejected Jesus’ teaching, we should not be surprised when people reject the truth today. Our job is to share it faithfully and trust that God will open people’s hearts.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in the fact that Jesus continues to teach and invite people to believe, even when they struggle to understand. He does not immediately reject Nicodemus for his lack of faith. Instead, He keeps explaining and pointing Nicodemus toward the truth.
This verse also highlights God’s patience. Even though many people reject Jesus’ testimony, He continues to call people to believe. This is a picture of God’s grace—He does not force people to believe, but He gives them every opportunity.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the only one who can truly reveal God’s truth because He has firsthand knowledge. In John 3:13, just two verses later, Jesus says that He is the one who has come down from heaven. His testimony is reliable because He speaks from direct experience.
Jesus also demonstrates humility in this passage. Even though He is speaking divine truth, He is patient with Nicodemus and others who struggle to believe. This reflects His mission—not to condemn, but to save (John 3:17).
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Why do you think Nicodemus struggled to accept Jesus’ words?
- How does Jesus’ statement about “what we know” challenge the idea that all religious opinions are equally valid?
- What are some reasons people reject Jesus’ teaching today?
- How does this verse encourage believers when they face opposition for sharing the gospel?
- Have there been times in your life when you resisted believing something God was teaching you? How did He help you understand?
Jesus’ words in John 3:11 remind us that truth is not the issue—unbelief is. He speaks what He knows, yet many reject His message. The question is, will we accept His testimony or turn away like so many others?