{Ye are from beneath} (humeis ek t(936e) kat(935c)). This language,
peculiar to John, could take up the idea in Josephus that these
rabbis came from Gehenna whence they will go as children of the
devil ( 8:44 ), but the use of ek tou kosmou toutou ("of this
world" in origin) as parallel to what we have here seems to prove
that the contrast between kat(935c) and an(935c) here is between the
earthly (sensual) and the heavenly as in  Jas 3:15-17 . See also
 Col 3:1 . This is the only use of kat(935c) in John (except  8:6 ).
These proud rabbis had their origin in this world of darkness
( 1:9 ) with all its limitations. {I am from above} (eg(9320)ek t(936e)
an(9320)eimi). The contrast is complete in origin and character,
already stated in  3:31 , and calculated to intensify their
anger.