11. We speak—we know—we have seen. After the use of the singular number in vv. 3, 5, 7, 12, the plural here is noteworthy. It is not merely rhetorical—“ a plural of majesty ” —but is explained by ver. 8, “every one that is born of the Spirit.” The new birth imparts a new vision. The man whois born of the Spirit Aath eternal life (ver. 36); and life eternal is to know God and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent (xvii. 3). “Ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know (oiéate) all things” * (1 John ii. 20). He who is born of water and of the Spirit sees the kingdom of God. This we therefore includes, with Jesus, all who are truly born anew of the Spirit. Jesus meets the we know of Nicodemus (ver. 2), referring to the class to which he belonged, with another we know, referring to another class, of which He was the head and representative. We know (oiSapev), absolutely. See on ii. 24.
Testify (uaprupovpev). Rev., better, bear witness of. See on i. 7.
12. Have told (eérov). Rendering the aorist more strictly, tL told.
Earthly things (ra éméyeva). Compounded of émi, upon, and yy, earth. In Col. ili. 2, the adjective appears in its analyzed form, ta éml ths yhs, things on the earth. It is in this literal sense it is to be taken here; not things of earthly nature, but things whose proper place is on earth. Not worldly affacis, nor things sinful, but, on the contrary, “those facts and phenomena of the higher life as a class, which have their seat and mani- festation on earth; which belong in their realization to our present existence ; which are seen in their consequences, like the issues of birth; which are sensible in their effects, like the action of the wind; which are a beginning and a prophecy, and not a fulfilment ” (Westcott). The earthly things would there: fore include the phenomena of the new birth.
* Or, according to some high authorities, ‘‘ ye all know.”