John 3:34
For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
Original Language Analysis
ὃν
he whom
G3739
ὃν
he whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 19
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἀπέστειλεν
hath sent
G649
ἀπέστειλεν
hath sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
3 of 19
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θεὸς,
God
G2316
Θεὸς,
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
5 of 19
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ῥήματα
the words
G4487
ῥήματα
the words
Strong's:
G4487
Word #:
7 of 19
an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negat
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θεὸς,
God
G2316
Θεὸς,
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
9 of 19
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἐκ
by
G1537
ἐκ
by
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
13 of 19
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
μέτρου
measure
G3358
μέτρου
measure
Strong's:
G3358
Word #:
14 of 19
a measure ("metre"), literally or figuratively; by implication, a limited portion (degree)
δίδωσιν
giveth
G1325
δίδωσιν
giveth
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
15 of 19
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θεὸς,
God
G2316
Θεὸς,
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
17 of 19
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
Cross References
Acts 10:38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.John 15:26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:Matthew 12:18Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.Colossians 2:9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.John 5:26For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;Luke 4:18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,Colossians 1:19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;Romans 8:2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.John 7:16Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.John 1:16And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
Historical Context
Old Testament prophets experienced Spirit empowerment for specific tasks; Jesus possessed the Spirit's fullness constantly. Isaiah 11:2 prophesied the Spirit resting on the Messianic Branch. At Jesus' baptism, the Spirit descended and 'remained' on Him (John 1:32-33). This permanence and fullness distinguishes His ministry.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' unlimited Spirit anointing distinguish His authority from other teachers?
- What does the Spirit's fullness in Christ mean for believers who receive the Spirit through Him?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.' Jesus speaks God's words because He possesses the Spirit without measure. Other prophets received partial, temporary Spirit empowerment; Jesus is permanently, fully anointed. His teaching carries complete divine authority because the Spirit's fullness is His. This unlimited anointing grounds unlimited authority.