John 3:2 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) This man went to Jesus one night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we [i.e., speaking of himself and other Jewish leaders] know that you are a Teacher sent from God, for no one could perform these [miraculous] signs that you are doing unless God were with Him.” More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition Who came to Jesus at night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know and are certain that You have come from God [as] a Teacher; for no one can do these signs (these wonderworks, these miracles–and produce the proofs) that You do unless God is with him. American Standard Version (1901) the same came unto him by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that thou doest, except God be with him. Common English Bible He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could do these miraculous signs that you do unless God is with him.” Catholic Public Domain Version He went to Jesus at night, and he said to him: "Rabbi, we know that you have arrived as a teacher from God. For no one would be able to accomplish these signs, which you accomplish, unless God were with him." Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version This man came to Jesus by night, and said to him: Rabbi, we know that thou art come a teacher from God; for no man can do these signs which thou dost, unless God be with him. |
So, they sent their disciples, [along] with the Herodians to Him [Note: These were members of a political party favoring King Herod], saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and that you teach the truth about God’s way. You do not care for [i.e., do not fear or give in to] anyone or allow the position of any person to influence you.
They love the [special] greetings they receive at the open shopping markets and to be addressed as ‘Rabbi’ [Note: This word signified ‘great’ or ‘master’].
But you should not assume the title ‘Rabbi,’ for [only] one is your teacher [i.e., Jesus Himself] and all of you are [simply] brothers.
And when they arrived, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and [that you] do not care for [i.e., do not fear or give in to] anyone. For you do not allow [the position of] any person to influence you, but teach the truth about God’s way. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?
Then Jesus turned and saw them following [Him] and said to them, “What are you looking for?” And they answered Him, “Rabbi (which means Teacher), where are you staying?”
But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe me, believe the deeds. Then you will know and continue to know that the Father is in me, and that I am in the Father.”
But [even] though Jesus had performed so many [miraculous] signs in front of the people, still they did not believe in Him.
Do you not believe that I am in [fellowship with] the Father, and the Father is in [fellowship with] me? The words which I say to you do not originate with me, but it is the Father, who lives in me, who does His work [in me].
This all happened so the Scripture, written in their Law [Psa. 35:19], would be fulfilled, ‘They hated me for no reason.’
This was the beginning of Jesus’ [miraculous] signs, which He performed in Cana in Galilee. [In doing this] He demonstrated His glorious power and His disciples believed in Him.
[Then] Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned toward Him and replied in the Hebrew language, “Rabboni” which means “Teacher.”
These disciples went to John and said to him, “Rabbi, look, that man who was with you on the east side of the Jordan River [i.e., Jesus], whom you testified about, is immersing people and everyone is going to him.” [Note: Actually, it was Jesus’ disciples who did the immersing. See 4:2].
Meanwhile Jesus’ disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, [have something to] eat.”
But my testimony is greater than John’s. For the deeds the Father has given me to complete, the very deeds I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me.
And a large crowd followed Him because they had seen the [miraculous] signs He had performed on sick people.
But many people in the crowd believed in Him, saying, “When the Messiah does come, will he perform more [miraculous] signs than this man has done?”
Some of the Pharisees then said, “The man who did this is not from God, because he does not observe the Sabbath day.” But other people said, “How could a man who is a sinner do such [miraculous] signs?” And the people were divided among themselves [over the issue].
This message was about Jesus from Nazareth and how God specially chose Him [and signified it] by giving Him the Holy Spirit and power. He traveled all over doing good [for people] and healing everyone who was [being] oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
“You people of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus from Nazareth was a man whom God [demonstrated] His approval of by powerful deeds, miracles and [supernatural] signs which He accomplished through Jesus in your very presence --- and you all know this!
And most of the brothers in the Lord’s [service], through my imprisonment, gained confidence to speak out God’s message with greater courage and without fear.