As we continue in our study of the third chapter of John’s Gospel, we need to ask ourselves whether or not verse-13 and following are Jesus’ words or the Gospel narrator’s words. Red letter Bibles make John 3:13-21 Jesus’ words. However, Jesus claimed it wasn’t possible for Nicodemus or the Jewish authorities, whom Nicodemus claimed to represent, to understand the heavenly things or the “secret things that belong to the Lord” (Deuteronomy 29:29). If this is so, why would Jesus then go on in John 3:13-21 to explain to Nicodemus the heavenly things he couldn’t understand? If this argument is logical and true, then what is claimed to be Jesus’ words would more properly belong to John’s later commentary, which explains to John’s readers what Jesus meant by heavenly things, or those secret things that weren’t available for man’s consideration at the time of Nicodemus’ discussion with the Lord.
The Synoptics reveal that Jesus didn’t begin telling his disciples that he would suffer and die by crucifixion until well into his second year of public ministry, and only after it was evident to him that they were being influenced by the Spirit of God (cp. Matthew 16:16-21). Knowing this, it seems probable that neither would Jesus reveal such things as his death, which was necessary to save mankind (John 3:16-17), to someone who was so fearful of the Jewish authorities that he came secretly to Jesus asking for spiritual clarification.
Moreover, it is obvious, unless Jesus later rehearsed all this before the Gospel writer, Nicodemus’ discussion with Jesus occurred in the presence of Jesus’ disciples who later remembered what was said and placed the discussion in the Gospel of John, where we find it today. Therefore, Jesus’ discussion with Nicodemus, in my opinion, must end at John 3:12. Otherwise, there is an obvious contradiction between this text and Matthew 16:16-21. If Jesus began discussing his crucifixion only six months into his public ministry (viz. just after his first Passover; John 2:13), it couldn’t be true that he began to reveal this after two years of public ministry (Matthew 16:16-21).
Therefore, beginning with John 3:13, I shall assume the Gospel narrator is offering his own commentary at the end of Jesus’ discussion with Nicodemus. He is at this point beginning to explain to the reader what heavenly or secret things Jesus referred to in John 3:12. In other words, the elite of Jewish society, which is represented in Nicodemus, is no better off than the common folk, as far as their readiness to understand spiritual matters is concerned. All things having to do with Christ must be revealed, and, if anyone wishes to understand those heavenly things, he must be born again, meaning his dead spirit must be renewed or raised to life (cp. Ephesians 2:1-6). Notice John’s words:
“And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of Man which is in heaven” (John 3:13).
Keep in mind that heaven is where God dwells, and is pictured in the Holy of Holies in the Temple. The veil, which is represented in Christ’s flesh has been torn away in his crucifixion. Therefore, to be in heaven is to be in Christ, who dwells in the presence of God, represented in the Holy of Holies (John 17:21-24; cp. 1Timothy 6:16; John 1:9; Romans 12:5; 1Corinthians 1:30; 2Corinthians 3:14; 5:17; 12:19; Ephesians 1:3; 2:6).[1]
How could anyone understand or speak of heavenly things such as these, unless he were actually in heaven to witness them. If one were never in heaven, he would be unable to tell anyone about what is there. Therefore, John’s commentary at this point describes the futility of man’s condition: “No man has ascended up into heaven…” meaning: no man has been born again in Christ—no one, as yet is in Christ. Thus, he could never come to know the heavenly things that is his, which are found in Christ (cp Ephesians 1:3). On the other hand, if the Son of Man (the Messiah) were actually in heaven (John 3:13; cp. 1Timothy 6:16), he would be able to reveal by means of his Spirit what is theirs from the hand of God and found in him (cp. Acts 1:7-8).
_____________________________________________
[1] See my previous studies: The Word Dwelt Among Us and Zeal for God :Unveils Enemies of Truth!
Smoodock's Blog 