John 3:11 Meaning and Explanation
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus solemnly testifies that he speaks what he knows and has seen, yet his witness is not received.
What Does John 3:11 Mean?
With another double Verily, Jesus contrasts two kinds of knowing. Nicodemus's we know (verse 2) reasoned upward from signs; Jesus' we speak that we do know rests on sight — firsthand knowledge of heavenly things. And the ye receive not reaches past Nicodemus to a generation slow of heart.
Jesus is not a theorist of the new birth but its eyewitness, speaking of his Father's realm as a man speaks of his own country. That gives his words the weight of testimony rather than speculation. The verse also carries heaven's ache: truth can be told perfectly and still be refused. Witness received becomes life; witness refused becomes the judgment the chapter will soon describe (verse 19).
John 3:11 in the Original Language
amen (ἀμήν), 'verily' -- a Hebrew word of solemn affirmation, truly, pledging the truth of what follows.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 3:11
What does John 3:11 mean?
Jesus solemnly testifies that he speaks what he knows and has seen, yet his witness is not received.