John 3:9-12

⁹"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. ¹⁰"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? ¹¹I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. ¹²I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?"

• This is the last we hear from Nicodemus until John 7:50-52 (sides with Jesus) and John 19:39 (anoints the lifeless body of Jesus).
• Pride is in the way. He cannot and will not accept what he doesn’t understand, and only the Spirit can fix him. Detail John 6-10.
• Jesus calls Nicodemus, “THE Teacher of Israel,” and rebukes him. Jesus sees his heart, still hardened, and is disappointed.
• The question is rhetorical. It’s an emphatic statement that shows disgust, not surprise: “You do not understand these things!”
  • Nicodemus is to blame for lack of understanding (Romans 10), even though he has not been regenerated (Romans 9).
• “These things” = How a person comes to spiritual understanding, life, and faith is of critical importance! It is repeated throughout Scripture, and ALL Christians – especially teachers – should know and love “these things.” How could we not know and love and cherish and testify to “these things” – that God has worked spiritual life in us by His Spirit? (Ephesians 2:1-5)!
• “I tell you the truth” shows that Jesus is not giving up. Even though Jesus is disgusted with Nicodemus’ pride, He still calls him to listen to the explanation of the authority Jesus has to speak on such matters as these. Jesus doesn’t over pursue Nicodemus; he’s not yet born of water and the Spirit.
• “We speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen” – 3 views of who “we” is:
  • Jesus and His disciples. They have identified with Him, but dissenters say it’s too soon for them to testify to the truth.
  • Jesus is mocking or simply responding accordingly to Nicodemus’ usage of “we” in v2. He’s responding to “you people.”
  • Jesus and the true prophets of God, including Old Testament prophets and John the Baptist. This speaks to their authority.
• “But still you people do not accept our testimony” – The Gospel is the only authority, despite the fact that few receive its message. This truth is actually a fulfillment of prophecy. Matthew 7:13. Be humbled that you’re included in God’s mercy.
• Nicodemus still trusts his faulty reasoning over Jesus’ authority. Three things to point out here:
  • The new birth, though spiritual, happens on earth and is an earthly thing. If we don’t understand what goes on here on earth in regards to spiritual things, then we cannot and will not understand heavenly things – what goes on in the kingdom of God, in heaven for all eternity.
  • “Earthly things” = a manner or style of teaching. Jesus’ style of teaching was simple, compared to the high language of the other Rabbis. We, like Nicodemus, want to hear of high and lofty things, exciting and controversial things, speculative teaching in creative methods. But when we reject the plain and simple truth of the Gospel, that Jesus saves sinners who believe in Him – and that the only way to believe in Him is to be born from above – because it’s too simple, we reveal our total depravity, and we treat God’s revelation to us with contempt.
  • Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis uses this verse to note the importance of understanding God’s Word, especially regarding the creation account. I see the importance of that, given the Romans 1 and 2 Peter 3 passages we noted earlier. If you don’t believe that God created the earth and everything “earthly,” then you can’t and won’t believe the Gospel message.