Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 63:4 (Dec 2020)
Article: Jesus And The Witnesses (John 3:11)
Author: Allan Chapple

JETS 63:4 (December 2020) p. 675

Jesus And The Witnesses (John 3:11)

Allan Chapple

Allan Chapple is Honorary Research Fellow at Trinity Theological College, 632–634 Newcastle Street, Leederville, Western Australia 6007. He may be contacted at [email protected].

Abstract: This article concerns the use of the first person plural in John 3:11. It examines eight different proposals as to how these plurals should be understood, six of which are considered at length: namely, these are the words of the church, not of the historical Jesus; the plurals refer only to Jesus; the testimonies are those of Jesus and those who will follow him; the witnesses are Jesus and the Father; the witnesses are Jesus and the Spirit; the testimonies are those of the OT prophets and of John, now crowned by that of Jesus himself. The article provides a detailed argument for adopting the last of these interpretations and counters five arguments that have been made against it. It argues that the subject of these testimonies is the eschatological work of the Spirit as generator of new life and the significance of Jesus as the Spirit-anointed Spirit-baptizer who launches this promised age.

Key words: Nicodemus, the Spirit, regeneration, begotten from above, Ezekiel, testimony, the prophets, John (the baptizer), the disciples, heavenly life

John 3:11 and its immediate context pose a series of questions for the reader. Why does Jesus switch from the first person singular (λέγω) to the first person plural (οἴδαμεν), and then revert to the first person singular in verse 12 (εἶπον; εἴπω)? Whose spoken testimony is he joining with his own (ὃ οἴδαμεν λαλοῦμεν καὶ ὃ ἑωράκαμεν μαρτυροῦμεν … τὴν μαρτυρίαν ἡμῶν)? And why, after retaining the second person singular of verse 10 (σὺ εἶ … λέγω σοι), does he change to the second person plural (οὐ λαμβάνετε), and retain it in verse 12 (οὐ πιστεύετε)? Who else is in view along with Nicodemus?

This study aims to provide a convincing answer to these questions, focusing in particular on the identity of the witnesses. This...