John 3:1-4 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. [2] He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” [3] Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” [4] “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
Scripture:
John 3:5-7 (NIV) Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’”
Breakdown and Cross-References
John 3:5
- “Born of water and the Spirit”:
- Ezekiel 36:25-27: “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean… I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.”
- Titus 3:5: “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
- Acts 2:38: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
John 3:6
- “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit”:
- Romans 8:5-9: “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:50: “I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.”
John 3:7
- “You must be born again”:
- 1 Peter 1:23: “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
- James 1:18: “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”
Key Takeaways
Necessity of Spiritual Rebirth:
- Jesus stresses that to enter the kingdom of God, one must be “born again.” This rebirth is a spiritual transformation involving both water (symbolizing baptism) and the Spirit (the Holy Spirit).
Dual Nature of Birth:
- There is a distinct difference between physical birth (“flesh gives birth to flesh”) and spiritual birth (“the Spirit gives birth to spirit”). Physical birth grants earthly life, while spiritual birth provides eternal life.
Role of Baptism and the Holy Spirit:
- The mention of water and Spirit highlights the importance of baptism and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the salvation process. Baptism represents repentance and cleansing, while the Spirit brings regeneration and renewal.
Transformation into a New Creation:
- Being born again means becoming a new creation in Christ. This transformation signifies a new nature, driven by the Holy Spirit, transitioning from a life led by fleshly desires to one led by the Spirit.
Foundation in the Old Testament:
- Jesus’ teaching is rooted in Old Testament prophecies, such as Ezekiel’s promise of a new heart and spirit, demonstrating the continuity and fulfillment of God’s plan from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant.