We looked yesterday at John the Baptist’s reaction to Jesus having more followers, a section which ended with:

He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3.30, ESV)

Then a remarkable set of declarations about Jesus. I don’t know why ESV (and others) close John the Baptist’s quote at verse 30. Why wouldn’t he say the rest of chapter 3, verses 31 – 36? MSG has it as John the Baptist speaking. NIV closes John the Baptist’s quote at verse 30 with a note that “some interpreters end the quotation at verse 36.”

Maybe the declarations of that paragraph go beyond what John the Baptist knew, and therefore, interpreters see it as the Apostle John filling in. But John the Baptist clearly knew who Jesus was. At any rate, it’s good stuff whether said by John the Baptist or John the Apostle:

• He who comes from above is above all.
• He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way.
• He who comes from heaven is above all.
• He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony.
• Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.
• The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.
• Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life;
• whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3.31 – 36, ESV, bulleted for clarity)

The last two bullet points are John 3.36, which I learned in the King James as:

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Notice that KJV has “believeth…believeth not.” While ESV contrasts “believes” with “does not obey.” But the Greek is “disbelieve.” NAS has “not obey” also with a footnote to “not believe.” Amplified uses “disobey.”

And he who believes in (has faith in, clings to, relies on) the Son has (now possesses) eternal life. But whoever disobeys (is unbelieving toward, refuses to trust in, disregards, is not subject to) the Son will never see (experience) life, but [instead] the wrath of God abides on him. [God’s displeasure remains on him; His indignation hangs over him continually.]

So “believe” is stronger than we think, and its opposite is “not obey.” Which leads us to the alleged death-bed conversion of cartoonist Scott Adams, brilliant creator of Dilbert. Stay tuned.