Ἰωάννην 3:27

Greek Modern Translation

Απεκριθη ο Ιωαννης και ειπε· Δεν δυναται ο ανθρωπος να λαμβανη ουδεν, εαν δεν ηναι δεδομενον εις αυτον εκ του ουρανου.

Parallel Translations

SBL Greek New Testament (2010)
ἀπεκρίθη Ἰωάννης καὶ εἶπεν· Οὐ δύναται ἄνθρωπος λαμβάνειν ⸂οὐδὲ ἓν⸃ ἐὰν μὴ ᾖ δεδομένον αὐτῷ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ.

Tischendorf 8th Edition
ἀπεκρίθη Ἰωάννης καὶ εἶπεν· οὐ δύναται ἄνθρωπος λαμβάνειν οὐδέν ἐὰν μὴ ᾖ δεδομένον αὐτῷ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ.

Textus Receptus (1550/1894)
απεκριθη ιωαννης και ειπεν ου δυναται ανθρωπος λαμβανειν ουδεν εαν μη η δεδομενον αυτω εκ του ουρανου

Westcott/Hort UBS4 (1881)
απεκριθη ιωαννης και ειπεν ου δυναται ανθρωπος λαμβανειν ουδε εν εαν μη η δεδομενον αυτω εκ του ουρανου

Byzantine/Majority Text
απεκριθη ιωαννης και ειπεν ου δυναται ανθρωπος λαμβανειν ουδεν εαν μη η δεδομενον αυτω εκ του ουρανου

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

A man: Numbers 16:9-11, Numbers 17:5, 1 Chronicles 28:4, 1 Chronicles 28:5, Jeremiah 1:5, Jeremiah 17:16, Amos 7:15, Matthew 25:15, Mark 13:34, Romans 1:5, Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 1:1, 1 Corinthians 2:12-14, 1 Corinthians 3:5, 1 Corinthians 4:7, 1 Corinthians 12:11, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Galatians 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, Ephesians 3:7, Ephesians 3:8, 1 Timothy 2:7, James 1:17, 1 Peter 4:10, 1 Peter 4:11

receive: or, take unto himself, Hebrews 5:4, Hebrews 5:5

from: Matthew 21:25, Mark 11:30, Mark 11:31

Reciprocal: Exodus 31:2 - I have Numbers 18:7 - as a service Matthew 3:1 - John Matthew 10:1 - he gave Mark 9:12 - restoreth Mark 13:11 - shall be Luke 1:77 - give John 19:11 - Thou Acts 3:12 - or Acts 13:25 - whom Acts 15:7 - God 1 Corinthians 4:6 - be puffed 2 Corinthians 4:5 - we 2 Corinthians 5:18 - all Philippians 2:13 - God Hebrews 6:4 - and have Revelation 11:3 - I will give power

Gill's Notes on the Bible

John answered and said,.... The Syriac and Arabic versions add, "to them"; the answer being made to the disciples of John, who came to him with their complaint:

a man can receive nothing; the Syriac and Persic versions add, "of his own will": some understand this of Christ, as man, who did not take upon him the character of the Messiah, nor the office of a Mediator, nor the honour of it of himself; and who received the gifts and graces of the Spirit of God, without measure, and had his success in his work from above: and indeed, it is true of both Christ, and John; for as Christ, so John received his office, and honour, as the harbinger and forerunner of Christ, and all his gifts qualifying for it, and his success in it, not of himself, but of God: and since therefore the superior office, and honour, and usefulness of the one above the other, were according to the sovereign will of God, there was no room for complaint, murmuring, and envy; but there ought to be contentment and pleasure in the wise disposition of things by God. Yea, this is true of every man, who has nothing of his own; and whatever he has in nature, providence and grace, is a gift to him; and all he enjoys is in a way of receiving: nor can he receive it,

except it be given him from heaven; from God who dwells there;

:-; who is the author and donor of every gift, temporal, spiritual, and eternal; particularly he cannot perceive, and discern spiritual things, nor receive Gospel truths; as it appeared to John his disciples could not, unless spiritual light is given from above; and such a favour is bestowed, as to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven: and therefore, for every office, whether of a superior, or inferior kind, and for every degree of honour, and for whatsoever blessing and gift, whether for soul or body, for time, or for eternity, men ought to be thankful, and not glory in them, as though they had not received them; nor is there any reason to murmur against God, or envy one another, as these disciples did.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

John answered ... - John did not enter into their feelings or sympathize with their love of party. He came to honor Jesus, not to build up a sect, He rejoiced at the success of the Messiah, and began to teach them to rejoice in it also.

A man can receive nothing ... - All success is from heaven. All my success was from God. All the success of Jesus is from God. As success comes from the same source, we ought not to be envious. It is designed to answer the same end, and, by whomsoever accomplished, the hand of God is in it, and we should rejoice. If Jesus and his disciples are successful, if all men flee to him, it is proof that God favors him, and you should rejoice.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 27. A man can receive nothing, &c.] Or, A man can receive nothing from heaven, unless it be given him. I have received, not only my commission, but the power also by which I have executed it, from above. As I took it up at God's command, so I am ready to lay it down when he pleases. I have told you from the beginning that I was only the forerunner of the Messiah, and was sent, not to form a separate party, but to point out to men that Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world: John 3:28.