John 3:11

Verily, verily. See on Matt. 5:18; John 1:51.

We speak. Jesus momentarily speaks in the plural, perhaps because He is stating a general principle, one true both of Himself and of Nicodemus. What Nicodemus had said (v. 9) made evident that, for “a master of Israel” (v. 10), he did not know very much. Nicodemus’ statements and questions reveal that he does not know. His knowledge of salvation was only theoretical, and was based on a false theory at that. If Nicodemus had experienced the new birth, he would not only understand it himself, but be able to speak intelligently of it to others. Some suggest that by “we” Jesus refers to the members of the Godhead.

Ye receive not. If he persists in misunderstanding whereof Jesus speaks, Nicodemus will class himself with the perverse souls of ch. 1:11, who “received him not.”