Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus uses the plural "we" not as a royal "we," but to include everyone who has truly experienced spiritual rebirth, emphasizing that this new life grants a direct, firsthand knowledge of God that transcends mere intellectual understanding. This shared experience of knowing and seeing is the foundation of their testimony, a stark contrast to Nicodemus's intellectual but unreceived wisdom.
Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is responding to Nicodemus, a religious leader who has come to Him at night, acknowledging Jesus' divine authority but struggling to grasp His teaching about being "born again." Jesus emphasizes that His message comes from firsthand knowledge and experience of heavenly realities, contrasting it with the spiritual blindness of Nicodemus and his peers who refuse to accept His testimony. This sets the stage for Jesus to explain that His inability to get through to them is due to their unbelief, which prevents them from understanding even earthly spiritual truths, let alone heavenly ones.
Jesus begins with a solemn "Truly, truly." What makes His message so certain? It's not just information; it's deeply personal knowledge.
Jesus emphasizes that His message comes from a place of absolute certainty. He says, "We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen." This isn't about theories or secondhand information.
The Source of Truth
This personal certainty is what gives His words ultimate authority. He's not just a teacher; He's a witness to divine reality.
Jesus uses "we" instead of "I." Who is He including, and what does this reveal about His mission?
The use of the plural "we" here is significant. While Jesus is the primary speaker, He strategically includes others, broadening the scope of the testimony.
Who is 'We'?
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This "we" signifies that the message of God's kingdom isn't solitary but a unified divine-human testimony, rooted in shared knowledge and experience.
Despite Jesus' certain knowledge and divine testimony, Nicodemus—and those he represents—reject it. Why is this rejection so profound?
The verse concludes with a sorrowful observation: "...but you do not receive our testimony." This points to a fundamental human problem: the refusal to accept divine truth, even when presented with certainty and clarity.
The Barrier to Belief
This rejection highlights the tragic consequence of unbelief: missing out on the very life and truth being offered, demonstrating that spiritual blindness often stems from a hardened heart rather than a lack of evidence.
Understand the original words
amēn amēn · Greek Interjection/Adverb
A double emphatic formula used by Jesus to underscore the absolute certainty, truthfulness, and divine authority of his following statement. It serves as a call for the hearer to pay close attention.
martyreō · Greek Verb
To affirm, testify, or give evidence about something one has personally observed or experienced. In a biblical context, it often refers to bearing witness to the truth of God's revelation.
martyria · Greek Noun
The declaration or evidence provided by a witness, particularly regarding the truth of God or the person and work of Jesus Christ. Rejecting this testimony is equated with rejecting God.
This conversation happens early in Jesus' ministry, before the full impact of his rejection is clear, highlighting the immediate tension between his divine testimony and the disbelief of religious leaders like Nicodemus.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching, performing miracles, and gathering disciples. His message of a new spiritual kingdom challenges existing religious and political structures.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Nicodemus's Visit to Jesus
Nicodemus, a respected Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council, secretly visits Jesus at night to inquire about his teachings.
Early 1st century AD
Rejection of Jesus' Testimony
Despite Jesus' clear explanations and the disciples' own experiences, many Jewish leaders and the populace reject Jesus' claims and message, leading to ongoing conflict.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified and, according to Christian belief, resurrected, marking a pivotal moment in the message of salvation.
c. AD 30s-60s
Early Church Spreading the Message
The disciples and early followers of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, begin to spread his teachings throughout the Roman Empire, facing both acceptance and rejection.
This passage echoes John 3:11 by emphasizing that the apostles are testifying to what they have personally known and seen of Jesus, the Word of Life, mirroring Jesus' assertion to Nicodemus about their credible witness.
John 1:11-12This passage directly parallels the rejection mentioned in John 3:11, stating that 'He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him,' highlighting the consistent theme of disbelief from those who should have recognized Him.
Acts 4:20This verse shows the apostles continuing the stance of John 3:11, declaring 'for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard,' underscoring their commitment to bearing witness despite opposition, just as Jesus instructed.
John 15:27Jesus here tells his disciples that 'you also are witnesses, because you have been with me from the beginning,' connecting to the 'we speak and testify' in John 3:11 by affirming that their discipleship itself equipped them to bear witness to what they knew and saw.
ellicottJohn 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."
(11) Once again the “Verily, verily” of deeper truth. “We speak that we do know” is in sharp contrast to their formal teaching of matters external to the truth. The plural is not usual in the language of Christ, and the immediate passage to the singular forbids us to accept the usual grammatical explanation that it is the plural of majesty. He apparently joins o…
vincentJohn 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."
We speak - we know - we have seenAfter the use of the singular number in John 3:3, John 3:5, John 3:7, John 3:12, the plural here is noteworthy. It is not merely rhetorical - "a plural of majesty" - but is explained by John 3:8, "every one that is born of the Spirit." The new birth imparts a new vision. The man who is born of the Spirit hath eternal life (John 3…
Jesus uses the plural "we" not as a royal "we," but to include everyone who has truly experienced spiritual rebirth, emphasizing that this new life grants a direct, firsthand knowledge of God that transcends mere intellectual understanding. This shared experience of knowing and seeing is the foundation of their testimony, a stark contrast to Nicodemus's intellectual but unreceived wisdom.
Jesus is responding to Nicodemus, a religious leader who has come to Him at night, acknowledging Jesus' divine authority but struggling to grasp His teaching about being "born again." Jesus emphasizes that His message comes from firsthand knowledge and experience of heavenly realities, contrasting it with the spiritual blindness of Nicodemus and his peers who refuse to accept His testimony. This sets the stage for Jesus to explain that His inability to get through to them is due to their unbelief, which prevents them from understanding even earthly spiritual truths, let alone heavenly ones.
Jesus is responding to Nicodemus, a religious leader who has come to Him at night, acknowledging Jesus' divine authority but struggling to grasp His teaching about being "born again." Jesus emphasizes that His message comes from firsthand knowledge and experience of heavenly realities, contrasting it with the spiritual blindness of Nicodemus and his peers who refuse to accept His testimony. This sets the stage for Jesus to explain that His inability to get through to them is due to their unbelief, which prevents them from understanding even earthly spiritual truths, let alone heavenly ones.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony." — Jesus uses the plural "we" not as a royal "we," but to include everyone who has truly experienced spiritual rebirth, emphasizing that this new life grants a direct, firsthand knowledge of God that tr…
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Last reviewed October 2026