A Study of John 3:1-15

A study of John 3:1-15 covers the need for spiritual rebirth, an explanation of spiritual regeneration, and the act of a sacrificial savior.

A study of John 3:1-15 covers the need for spiritual rebirth.

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. (ESV, John 3:3)

Nicodemus was a religious leader who visited Jesus at night. A member of an important body of Jewish religious leaders called the Sanhedrin. The word “ruler” is the Greek archōn and implies significant authority. So, Nicodemus held an important position in the community. But why visit Jesus at night? Some commentators suggest he wanted to keep his spiritual interaction with Jesus from the public square. Conduct his own investigation under the radar. He wouldn’t be alone in this motive. At a critical moment, Jesus’ disciple Peter also publicly denied knowing him. Even today, people avoid publicly confessing Jesus by claiming they maintain a private faith. But then again, maybe Nicodemus visited at night because he worked all day.

He started respectfully by calling Jesus “rabbi.” And acknowledged Jesus’ miracles were signs his power came from God. But he stopped short of confessing him as the Son of God. Curious, but not ready to commit in faith. And that presented a puzzle. Then who was Jesus?

However, Jesus didn’t wait for Nicodemus to ask his first question. No small talk about sports or the weather. Inquiries on his family. Debate on Roman politics or Jewish law. Jesus already knew all his thoughts. Instead, he looked divinely into Nicodemus’ heart and addressed the most profound question on earth. What happens when you die?

And his answer? Nicodemus must be “born again.” The two words in Greek are gennēthē anōthen. Gennethe means to regenerate, be born and bring forth. And anothen means from above, from the beginning, and the top.

In other words, the most pressing need for every person is a spiritual rebirth that comes from God. But Nicodemus, one of the most learned religious teachers of his day, didn’t get it. And he responded in terms of physical human birth.

A study of John 3:1-15 covers an explanation of spiritual regeneration.

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (ESV, John 3:5-6)

Jesus answers Nicodemus’ question about human birth with a further explanation. There are different interpretations on the meaning of the phrase: born of water and the Spirit. Here are a few of the most popular ones.

Physical birth versus spiritual birth

Nicodemus asked how he could physically re-enter his mother’s womb for a second birth. And some theologians suggest the phrase is describing two births. One physical and the other spiritual. But the idea of birth as “of water” was not part of the ancient culture. So while the idea makes sense to us today, it wouldn’t to Nicodemus. Furthermore, the Greek construction of the phrase “water and spirit” promotes a similar idea rather than two different ones.

Water refers to water baptism

This fits with our modern understanding of salvation followed by water baptism. But it wouldn’t to Nicodemus. Baptism was a new spiritual practice introduced by John the Baptist. And since Jesus rebuked Nicodemus as a Jewish teacher, it makes more sense he would speak to him from an Old Testament perspective. Additionally, this interpretation of the phrase implies that baptism is a requirement for salvation.

Water and Spirit present a unified thought

When water is used figuratively in the Old Testament, it often refers to renewal or cleansing. And there are many Old Testament passages that speak about the heart. Consider this passage from the prophet Ezekiel that puts them together.

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. (ESV, Ezekiel 36:25-27)

In this sense then, water signifies cleansing from impurity and the Spirit, regeneration of the heart. As a religious leader, Nicodemus likely considered obedience to the law his primary religious duty. Perhaps, Jesus was trying to open his eyes to a different perspective. One that emphasized the importance of a cleansed, new heart. And if he looked, he would see this concept presented in the law.

A study of John 3:1-15 covers the act of a sacrificial savor.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. (ESV, John 3:14)

It is the Holy Spirit who regenerates the human heart and Jesus explains him a little further. And he does so by comparing the Spirit to wind, using the same Greek word neuma for both. In Acts 2:1-4, Luke records an event on the Jewish celebration of Pentecost when all the new Christ-followers gathered together and were filled with the Holy Spirit. He describes the sound of a mighty rushing wind (Greek: pnoe) that filled the entire house and all the believers with the Holy Spirit (Greek: pneuma).

The point is that both the wind and the Spirit move invisibly in a mysterious fashion. But we can see their effect. And often, the demonstration of a great, moving force.

Finally, Jesus connects two events. The first is in Numbers 21:4-9. As Moses led Israel from Egypt into the wilderness, the people began to complain. As punishment, God sent poisonous snakes into their camp and those bitten died. When the people repented, God told Moses to fashion a bronze serpent on a pole and anyone bitten by a snake would live if they looked at the bronze serpent.

The next event was his future crucifixion. Jesus would be lifted up on a cross and sacrificed for the sin of mankind. And just like the people who physically looked on the bronze serpent and were healed, those who spiritually looked on Jesus and “believed” would be spiritually healed from their sin and granted eternal life. The Greek word for “lifted” is hupsŏō, which means to lift up, to elevate, and exalt. So beyond just the physical raising of Jesus on the cross, it also presents the exaltation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

The Greek word for “believes” in V.15 is pisteuōn and means ongoing trust. It affirms that belief in Jesus involves an ongoing comittment of discipleship and is not just a one time experience.

About Chip Tudor:

Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.

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