John 3:13

No man. No man can speak with authority about “heavenly things” unless he has been in heaven (cf. v. 11). Men discern the secrets of heaven only by revelation, never by speculating about them.

Ascended up to heaven. That is, no human being has gone to heaven to learn of “heavenly things” (v. 12). Only the Son of man, who came from heaven, has ever been there, and He alone can reveal them. There is no reference here to Christ’s ascension to heaven following the resurrection.

Came down from heaven. Compare ch. 6:33, 38, 41, 42, 50, 51, 58; see on ch. 1:14.

Son of man. Jesus’ characteristic title for Himself, use of which here is evidence that Jesus is still speaking. See on Mark 2:10.

Which is in heaven. Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 146) for the omission of this clause. If retained, it refers to the timeless existence of Jesus in heaven, His permanent abode. Possibly, however, the phrase was added by a later scribe, and thus at a time when Jesus was once more “in heaven.”