John 3:10

Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

Jesus {G2424} answered {G611} and {G2532} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Art {G1488} thou {G4771} a master {G1320} of Israel {G2474}, and {G2532} knowest {G1097} not {G3756} these things {G5023}?

Yeshua answered him, “You hold the office of teacher in Isra’el, and you don’t know this?

“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and you do not understand these things?

Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou the teacher of Israel, and understandest not these things?

Commentary

In John 3:10, Jesus confronts Nicodemus, a respected Jewish leader, with a rhetorical question that cuts to the heart of spiritual understanding. This verse is pivotal in the ongoing dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus, highlighting the contrast between worldly wisdom and divine revelation.

Context

This verse follows a nocturnal visit by Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a "ruler of the Jews" (John 3:1), to Jesus. Nicodemus acknowledges Jesus as a teacher sent from God. However, Jesus immediately shifts the conversation to the profound necessity of being "born again" to see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus, understanding this literally, expresses confusion about re-entering a mother's womb. Jesus then clarifies that He is speaking of a spiritual birth, "of water and of the Spirit" (John 3:5). Jesus' question in verse 10, "Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?", is a direct challenge to Nicodemus's lack of understanding regarding these fundamental spiritual truths, which Jesus implies should have been familiar to a teacher of his stature.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Blindness Amidst Religious Knowledge: Jesus' question underscores that even a highly educated and respected religious leader like Nicodemus, a "master of Israel," could be spiritually blind to foundational truths about God's kingdom. His position and learning did not automatically grant him spiritual discernment.
  • The Necessity of Spiritual Rebirth: The "these things" Jesus refers to are the concepts of spiritual transformation and the work of the Holy Spirit, which He had just explained. This highlights that spiritual renewal is not an optional add-on but a prerequisite for understanding and entering the kingdom of God.
  • Divine Expectations of Teachers: Jesus implies that those who teach God's law to others should themselves possess a deep understanding of God's spiritual principles, including the need for a transformed heart, which was prophesied in the Old Testament.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "master of Israel" translates the Greek didaskalos tou Israel (διδάσκαλος τοῦ Ἰσραήλ). Didaskalos means "teacher" or "instructor." This term emphasizes Nicodemus's esteemed role as a prominent rabbi and interpreter of the Law, someone who would be expected to be an expert in the scriptures and Israel's spiritual heritage. Jesus' rhetorical question, therefore, is not an insult but a challenge to his intellectual and spiritual comprehension, suggesting that the concept of a radical spiritual renewal was not entirely new but hinted at in prophecies such as Ezekiel 36:26-27 (a new heart and spirit) or Jeremiah 31:33 (a new covenant written on the heart).

Practical Application

For believers today, John 3:10 serves as a powerful reminder that true spiritual understanding comes not merely from intellectual study or religious titles, but from the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit and a willingness to embrace spiritual truths. It cautions against relying solely on human wisdom or tradition when seeking to comprehend God's ways. Regardless of one's background or education, the call to spiritual rebirth and a reliance on the Holy Spirit for discernment remains universal. It encourages us to continually seek deeper understanding of God's Word with an open heart, acknowledging that divine truths often transcend human logic.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 22:29 (7 votes)

    Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

  • Jeremiah 8:8 (6 votes)

    How do ye say, We [are] wise, and the law of the LORD [is] with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he [it]; the pen of the scribes [is] in vain.

  • Jeremiah 8:9 (6 votes)

    The wise [men] are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom [is] in them?

  • Ezekiel 11:19 (4 votes)

    And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

  • Matthew 15:14 (3 votes)

    Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

  • Ezekiel 36:25 (3 votes)

    ¶ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

  • Ezekiel 36:27 (3 votes)

    And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them].