John 3:12 akjv — If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

American King James Version

"If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? "

— John 3:12, American King James Version

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John 3:12 in Other Translations

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John 3 — Context

9

Nicodemus answered and said to him, How can these things be?

10

Jesus answered and said to him, Are you a master of Israel, and know not these things?

11

Truly, truly, I say to you, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and you receive not our witness.

12

If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

13

And no man has ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. ¶

14

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15

That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. ¶

John 3:12 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does John 3:12 say?
John 3:12 in the American King James Version reads: “If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? ”
Where is John 3:12 in the Bible?
John 3:12 is found in the New Testament, in the book of John, chapter 3, verse 12.
Who wrote John?
John is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, son of Zebedee. It was written c. AD 85–95.
What is the book of John about?
John's Gospel opens not in Bethlehem but "in the beginning," declaring Jesus to be the eternal Word made flesh. Through seven sign-miracles and seven "I AM" sayings, it presents Jesus as the bread, the light, the way, and the resurrection — that we might believe and have life in his name.
What are the major themes of John?
John explores themes including Word Made Flesh, Belief, Eternal Life, I AM, Love. These themes shape the meaning and context of John 3:12.
What translation should I read John 3:12 in?
John 3:12 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize John 3:12?
John 3:12 reads (AKJV): “If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? ” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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