Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and don’t understand these things?
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 10. And knoweth not these things. That is, of baptism given by in a visible manner, and you understand not, how will you comprehend greater and heavenly things, if I speak of them? Witham.—Many passages, both in the law and the prophets, implied this doctrine of regeneration; for what else can be the meaning of the circumcision of the heart, commanded by Moses; (Deuteronomy 10:16) of the renewal of a clean and right spirit, prayed for by David; (Psalms 50) of God’s giving his people a new heart and a new spirit. Ezekiel 36:26, and so forth But the Pharisees, taken up with their rites and traditions, paid little attention to spiritual things of greater moment.