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class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/3.htm">New International Version</a> Jesus replied, &#8220Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/john/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” <a href="/esv/john/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” <a href="/bsb/john/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” <a href="/blb/john/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, except anyone be born from above, he is not able to see the kingdom of God." <a href="/kjv/john/3.htm">King James Bible</a> Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. <a href="/nkjv/john/3.htm">New King James Version</a> Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” <a href="/nasb_/john/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Jesus responded and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” <a href="/nasb/john/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> Jesus answered and said to him, &#8220Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” <a href="/lsb/john/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” <a href="/amp/john/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Jesus answered him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.” <a href="/csb/john/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” <a href="/hcsb/john/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Jesus replied, &#8220I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God. <a href="/cev/john/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Jesus replied, "I tell you for certain that you must be born from above before you can see God's kingdom!" <a href="/erv/john/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God. <a href="/gwt/john/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Jesus replied to Nicodemus, "I can guarantee this truth: No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." <a href="/gnt/john/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> Jesus answered, "I am telling you the truth: no one can see the Kingdom of God without being born again." <a href="/isv/john/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> Jesus replied to him, "Truly, I tell you emphatically, unless a person is born from above he cannot see the kingdom of God." <a href="/msb/john/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Jesus replied, ?Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.? <a href="/net/john/3.htm">NET Bible</a> Jesus replied, "I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God." <a href="/nheb/john/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I tell you, unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God." <a href="/wbt/john/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Jesus answered and said to him, Verily, verily, I say to thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. <a href="/wey/john/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "In most solemn truth I tell you," answered Jesus, "that unless a man is born anew he cannot see the Kingdom of God." <a href="/web/john/3.htm">World English Bible</a> Jesus answered him, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone may not be born from above, he is not able to see the Kingdom of God”; <a href="/blb/john/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, except anyone be born from above, he is not able to see the kingdom of God." <a href="/ylt/john/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Jesus answered and said to him, 'Verily, verily, I say to thee, If any one may not be born from above, he is not able to see the reign of God;' <a href="/slt/john/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Jesus answered and said to him, Amen, amen, I say to thee, Except any one be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Jesus answered, and said to him: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. <a href="/cpdv/john/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Jesus responded and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one has been reborn anew, he is not able to see the kingdom of God.” <a href="/nabre/john/3.htm">New American Bible</a> Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” <a href="/nrsvce/john/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Jesus answered and said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, If a man is not born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Yeshua answered and said to him: “Timeless truth I am telling you: If a person is not born again, it is impossible for that one to see the Kingdom of God.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Jesus answered and said to him: Verily, verily I say to you, unless a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God.<CM> <a href="/godbey/john/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Jesus responded and said to him, <FR>Truly, truly, I say unto thee, unless any one may be born from above, he is not able to see the kingdom of God.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Jesus answered and said to him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. <a href="/mace/john/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Jesus answered him, I declare unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. <a href="/wey/john/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "In most solemn truth I tell you," answered Jesus, "that unless a man is born anew he cannot see the Kingdom of God." <a href="/worrell/john/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Jesus answered, and said to him, <FR>"Verily, verily, I say to you, unless one be born anew, he cannot see the Kingdom of God."<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Jesus answered and said unto him, <FR>Verily verily I tell thee, Unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/3-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=621" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/3.htm">Jesus and Nicodemus</a> …2He 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<a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/611.htm" title="611: Apekrithē (V-AIP-3S) -- From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.">replied,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/281.htm" title="281: Amēn (Heb) -- Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely.">“Truly,</a> <a href="/greek/281.htm" title="281: amēn (Heb) -- Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely.">truly,</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legō (V-PIA-1S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">I tell</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: soi (PPro-D2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you,</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">no</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">one</a> <a href="/greek/1410.htm" title="1410: dynatai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.">can</a> <a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: idein (V-ANA) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">see</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/932.htm" title="932: basileian (N-AFS) -- From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.">kingdom</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">of God</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">unless</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/1080.htm" title="1080: gennēthē (V-ASP-3S) -- From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate.">he is born</a> <a href="/greek/509.htm" title="509: anōthen (Adv) -- From ano; from above; by analogy, from the first; by implication, anew.">again.” </a> 4“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-17.htm">2 Corinthians 5:17</a> Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! <a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26-27</a> I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances. <a href="/titus/3-5.htm">Titus 3:5</a> He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. <a href="/1_peter/1-23.htm">1 Peter 1:23</a> For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. <a href="/romans/6-4.htm">Romans 6:4</a> We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. <a href="/jeremiah/31-33.htm">Jeremiah 31:33</a> “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. <a href="/galatians/6-15.htm">Galatians 6:15</a> For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation. <a href="/ephesians/2-4.htm">Ephesians 2:4-5</a> But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, / made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! <a href="/colossians/3-10.htm">Colossians 3:10</a> and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. <a href="/1_john/5-1.htm">1 John 5:1</a> Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves those born of Him. <a href="/isaiah/44-3.htm">Isaiah 44:3</a> For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and currents on the dry ground. I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring. <a href="/james/1-18.htm">James 1:18</a> He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation. <a href="/romans/8-9.htm">Romans 8:9</a> You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. <a href="/ezekiel/11-19.htm">Ezekiel 11:19</a> And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh, <a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a> The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Jesus answered and said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.Verily.<a href="/john/1-51.htm">John 1:51</a> And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.<a href="/matthew/5-18.htm">Matthew 5:18</a> For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.<a href="/2_corinthians/1-19.htm">2 Corinthians 1:19,20</a> For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea… Except.<a href="/john/3-5.htm">John 3:5,6</a> Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God… <a href="/john/1-13.htm">John 1:13</a> Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.<a href="/galatians/6-15.htm">Galatians 6:15</a> For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.again.<a href="/james/1-17.htm">James 1:17</a> Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.<a href="/james/3-17.htm">James 3:17</a> But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.he cannot.<a href="/john/3-5.htm">John 3:5</a> Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.<a href="/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5</a> And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.<a href="/john/12-40.htm">John 12:40</a> He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/3-2.htm">Able</a> <a href="/mark/14-25.htm">Anew</a> <a href="/john/1-13.htm">Born</a> <a href="/john/3-2.htm">Except</a> <a href="/john/3-2.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/luke/23-51.htm">Kingdom</a> <a href="/luke/22-20.htm">New</a> <a href="/luke/23-51.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/john/1-51.htm">Solemn</a> <a href="/john/1-51.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/john/3-2.htm">Unless</a> <a href="/john/1-51.htm">Verily</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/3-4.htm">Able</a> <a href="/john/3-7.htm">Anew</a> <a href="/john/3-4.htm">Born</a> <a href="/john/3-5.htm">Except</a> <a href="/john/3-5.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/3-5.htm">Kingdom</a> <a href="/john/5-29.htm">New</a> <a href="/john/3-5.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/john/3-5.htm">Solemn</a> <a href="/john/3-5.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/john/3-5.htm">Unless</a> <a href="/john/3-5.htm">Verily</a><div class="vheading2">John 3</div>1. <a href="/john/3-1.htm">Jesus teaches Nicodemus the necessity of being born again,</a> 14. <a href="/john/3-14.htm">of faith in his death,</a> 16. <a href="/john/3-16.htm">the great love of God toward the world,</a> 18. <a href="/john/3-18.htm">and the condemnation for unbelief.</a> 22. <a href="/john/3-22.htm">Jesus baptizes in Judea.</a> 23. <a href="/john/3-23.htm">The baptism, witness, and doctrine of John concerning Jesus.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The setting highlights the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders of the time. Nicodemus's visit signifies a genuine curiosity and a search for truth, despite the potential risk to his reputation.Truly, truly, I tell you The repetition of "truly" (Greek: "amen, amen") emphasizes the importance and certainty of Jesus' statement. This phrase is used to assert authority and truthfulness, underscoring that what follows is a foundational truth. It reflects Jesus' divine authority and His role as the ultimate teacher.no one can see the kingdom of God The "kingdom of God" refers to God's sovereign rule and reign, both in the present spiritual sense and the future physical manifestation. This concept is central to Jesus' teaching and is rooted in Old Testament prophecies about God's eternal kingdom (e.g., <a href="/daniel/2-44.htm">Daniel 2:44</a>). Seeing the kingdom implies understanding and experiencing God's rule, which is a spiritual insight granted to believers.unless he is born again The term "born again" (Greek: "anōthen") can also mean "born from above," indicating a spiritual rebirth. This concept is pivotal in Christian theology, signifying a transformation that occurs through the Holy Spirit. It connects to Old Testament themes of renewal and cleansing, such as <a href="/ezekiel/36-25.htm">Ezekiel 36:25-27</a>, where God promises to give a new heart and spirit. This rebirth is necessary for entering into a relationship with God and is a work of divine grace, not human effort.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah. He is speaking to Nicodemus about spiritual rebirth. 2. <a href="/topical/n/nicodemus.htm">Nicodemus</a> A Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council, Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night seeking understanding about His teachings. 3. <a href="/topical/k/kingdom_of_god.htm">Kingdom of God</a> A central theme in Jesus' teachings, representing God's sovereign rule and the realm of eternal life. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city where this conversation takes place, a significant location for Jewish religious life and Jesus' ministry. 5. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a> A Jewish sect known for strict adherence to the Law. Nicodemus, as a Pharisee, represents those who are knowledgeable in the Scriptures but may lack spiritual insight.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_spiritual_rebirth.htm">Understanding Spiritual Rebirth</a> Being "born again" is a spiritual transformation that involves a new beginning in one's relationship with God. It is not a physical rebirth but a renewal of the heart and spirit. <a href="/topical/n/necessity_for_salvation.htm">Necessity for Salvation</a> Jesus emphasizes that seeing the kingdom of God requires being born again, highlighting the necessity of spiritual rebirth for salvation. <a href="/topical/r/role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">Role of the Holy Spirit</a> The process of being born again is facilitated by the Holy Spirit, who regenerates and renews the believer. <a href="/topical/f/faith_and_belief.htm">Faith and Belief</a> Entering the kingdom of God requires faith in Jesus Christ and His redemptive work, which initiates the process of being born again. <a href="/topical/l/living_as_a_new_creation.htm">Living as a New Creation</a> Being born again should result in a transformed life, characterized by new desires, attitudes, and actions that reflect Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 3</a> <a href="/q/how_do_new_believers_start_spiritually.htm">How do new believers begin their spiritual journey?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_a_born_again_christian.htm">What defines a born again Christian?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'born_again'_mean_in_islam.htm">What does "born again" mean for a Muslim?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'born_again'_mean_to_muslims.htm">What does "born again" mean for a Muslim?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) Jesus answered and said unto him.--The words of Nicodemus are clearly only a preface to further questions. Jesus at once answers these questions; the answer being, as it frequently is, to the unexpressed thought (comp. e.g., <a href="/john/2-18.htm" title="Then answered the Jews and said to him, What sign show you to us, seeing that you do these things?">John 2:18</a>). The coming of the Messiah, the Divine Glory, God's Kingdom, these are the thoughts which filled men's minds. These miracles--in what relation did they stand to it? This Teacher--what message from God had He about it?Verily, verily, I say unto thee.--(Comp. <a href="/john/1-51.htm" title="And he said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, Hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of man.">John 1:51</a>.) The words are in the decisive tone of authority and certainty. "This is God's teaching for thee, teacher as thou thyself art" (<a href="/john/3-10.htm" title="Jesus answered and said to him, Are you a master of Israel, and know not these things?">John 3:10</a>).Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.--Our translators have followed the ancient expositors in giving the alternative renderings "born again" and "born from above" (margin). Chrysostom notes the two currents of interpretation in his day; and in our own day the opinions of scholars, whether we count them or weigh them, may be equally claimed for either view. There can be no doubt that the Greek word (??????) is found with both meanings. It is equally certain that St. John elsewhere uses it in the local sense "from above" only (<a href="/john/3-31.htm" title="He that comes from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth: he that comes from heaven is above all.">John 3:31</a>; <a href="/john/19-11.htm" title="Jesus answered, You could have no power at all against me, except it were given you from above: therefore he that delivered me to you has the greater sin.">John 19:11</a>; <a href="/john/19-23.htm" title="Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.">John 19:23</a>); but these instances are not sufficient to establish an usus loquendi, and the sense here, and in <a href="/john/3-7.htm" title="Marvel not that I said to you, You must be born again.">John 3:7</a>, must be taken in connection with the meaning of the verb. (Comp. the same word in <a href="/luke/1-3.htm" title="It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus,">Luke 1:3</a>, "from the very first," and <a href="/galatians/4-9.htm" title="But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto you desire again to be in bondage?">Galatians 4:9</a>, "again.") What has not, perhaps, been sufficiently noted is, that the Greek word is not the true key to the difficulty, and that its double sense has led men to seek the meaning in a wrong direction. The dialogue was between One who was called and one who really was a Rabbi. The word actually used almost certainly conveyed but one sense, and it is this sense which the Syriac version, coming to us from the second century, and closely connected with the Palestinian dialect of the first century, has preserved. This version reads "from the beginning," "afresh," "anew." This is the sense which St. John wishes to express for his Greek readers, and the word used by him exactly does express it. That the Greek word has another meaning also, which expresses the same thought from another point of view, may have determined its choice. This other point of view was certainly not absent from the circle of the writer's thoughts (comp. <a href="/john/1-13.htm" title="Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.">John 1:13</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 3-21. - 5. The revelation of earthly and heavenly things to one who knew that God was with him. Verses 3-12. - (1) The conditions of admission into the kingdom of God. New birth of the Spirit. Verse 3. - Many explanations have been offered of the link of connection between the suggestion of Nicodemus and the reply of Jesus. Many expansions or additions have been conjectured, such as the following, suggested by Christ's own language elsewhere: "You, by the finger of God, are casting out devils; then the kingdom of God has come nigh unto us. How may we enter upon its further proofs?" - a view which would demand a deeper knowledge of the mind of Christ than we have any reason to suppose diffused at this period. Others (Baumlein) have supposed Nicodemus to have said, "Does the baptism of John suffice for admission into the kingdom?" - a suggestion which would be most strange for a Pharisaic Sanhedrist to have extemporized. At the same time, it may be proved that the rabbis regarded proselytism as a "new birth," and one produced or brought about by circumcision and baptism (Wunsche, l.c. 506; Geikie, 1:505). Others, again, have put further words into the reply of Jesus, such as, "The kingdom of God is not in the miracles which I am working; it is in a state of things which can only be appreciated by a radical spiritual change" (Lucke). Similarly Luthardt. Nicodemus was thinking of the kingdom of God evinced by miraculous signs; and Jesus points him to the inner reality rather than to the outer manifestation. Godet sees the Pharisaic position in the question of Nicodemus, "Art thou the Messiah? is the kingdom of God near, as thy miracles seem to indicate?" He was assuming that, as a Pharisee, he had nothing to do but walk in the light, the dawn of which was revealed to him in the signs of a divinely sent Teacher. All these views embrace a large amount of possible conjectural truth; but they ignore the play upon the words of Nicodemus, which the answer of Jesus involves, showing that a sharp, clean retort followed the speech of the former. "We know that NO MAN IS ABLE to do these signs which thou art working EXCEPT GOD, BE WITH HIM. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, EXCEPT ONE be born anew, HE IS NOT ABLE to see the kingdom of God." The form of both protasis and apodosis in each sentence closely corresponds, and this correspondence suggests the fact of an immediate repartee. adopting even the form of the question or assertion of the ruler of the Jews. To the "we know" of Nicodemus, comes the "I say unto thee" of Jesus. To the general sentiment of Nicodemus Christ gives a personal application. In place of speculation concerning his own relation to God and to the kingdom, Christ searches in the heart of his questioner for spiritual susceptibility. Over against the general proposition about God being with the Worker of these signs Christ sets the practical truth and Divine possibility of any man seeing the kingdom of God. To the suspicion of Jesus being the Messenger and Minister of God, he opposes the supposition of being born from heaven, or anew. From ancient times commentators have been divided as to the meaning of the word ἄνωθεν - whether it should be rendered "from above" or "anew," "again." The first was favoured by Origen and many others down to Bengel, Lucke, Meyer, Baur, Wordsworth, Lange, based on the local meaning of the word in numerous places; e.g. "from the top" (<a href="/matthew/27-51.htm">Matthew 27:51</a>), "from heaven above" (<a href="/james/3-15.htm">James 3:15, 17</a>; <a href="/john/3-31.htm">John 3:31</a>; <a href="/john/19-11.htm">John 19:11</a>). Moreover, John uses the idea of birth from God, or by his will supervening on the life of man, and the consequent conference upon it of a new beginning (<a href="/john/1-13.htm">John 1:13</a>; <a href="/1_john/3-9.htm">1 John 3:9</a>; <a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">1 John 4:7</a>; <a href="/1_john/5-1.htm">1 John 5:1, 4, 18</a>). The great point on which our Lord insists is the Divine spiritual origin of the life of which he has so much to say. Several of the English versions, Coverdale's - and second edition of the Bishops' Bible - have adopted this rendering, with the Armenian and Gothic Versions. The Revised Version has placed it in the margin. Against it is to be brought the use of the verb ἀναγεννᾶσθαι (<a href="/1_peter/1-3.htm">1 Peter 1:3, 23</a>, and in Justin, 'Apol.,' 1:6l) - a word which corresponds with this clause, ἄνωθεν γεννηθῆναι, and yet could scarcely be translated "to be born from above," but, "to be born again." The second rendering, giving a temporal value to ἄνωθεν, was adopted by Augustine, Chrysostom (who uses both views), the Vulgate, Luther, Calvin, Tholuck, Godet, Westcott, Moulton, Weiss, and Luthardt, and is sustained by the fact that Nicodemus was led by it to an inquiry about (δεύτερον γεννηθῆναι) a second birth. If the expression had had no ambiguity about it, and merely conveyed the idea of a heavenly birth, his mistake would have been greater than it was. There are, moreover, numerous passages confirming the temporal sense of ἄνωθεν (Wettstein and Grimm both quote from Josephus, 'Ant.,' 1:18. 3; and Artemidorus, 'Oneiroc.,' 1:13); and the παλιγγενεσία of <a href="/titus/3-5.htm">Titus 3:5</a> points in the same direction. The Jewish rabbi ought to have been familiar with the idea of the "new heart" and "right spirit," and the marvellous and mighty change wrought in men by the Holy Spirit; but the spiritual idea had been overlaid by rabbinic ritualism, and all the hopeless entanglements of ceremonial purity which had been reacts to do duty for spiritual conformity with the Divine will. Archdeacon Watkins reminds us that the Syriac Version here gives the rendering "from the beginning," or "anew," and lays great stress on this solution of the ambiguity in the Greek word. The statement of Christ is very remarkable. A man must be born anew, must undergo a radical change, even to see the kingdom of God (cf. <a href="/matthew/18-3.htm">Matthew 18:3</a>). The true kingdom is not a Divine government of outward, visible magnificence, sustained by miraculous aid - a physical sovereignty which shall rival and eclipse the majesty of Caesar. When the kingdom shall come in its genuine power, the carnal eye will not discover its presence. The man born anew will alone be able to appreciate it. The Jews boasted that they were born of God (<a href="/john/8-41.htm">John 8:41</a>), but could not understand that they needed vital, fundamental, moral renewal - a second birth, a new beginning. Let the opening of Christ's Galilaean ministry be compared with this bold utterance. There in public discourse he called upon all men everywhere to "repent," to undergo a radical change of mind, and that because the kingdom of heaven was at hand. Μετάνοια portrays the same change as παλιγγενεσία; but one term denotes thai; change as a human experience and effort, the other as a Divine operation. Neither repentance nor regeneration commended itself to the rabbinic mind as a necessity for one who was exalted by privilege and ennobled by obedience. The phrase, "kingdom of God," is not a mode of representing truth to which this Gospel calls frequent attention. Still our Lord to Pilate (<a href="/john/18-36.htm">John 18:36</a>) admits that he is himself the Head of kingdom which is "not from hence" - not resting on this world as its foundation or source. In Matthew the whole of the mission of Christ among men is repeatedly portrayed as "the kingdom of heaven." And from the time when the Lord ascended until now, various efforts have been made to realize, to discover, to embody, to emblazon, to crush, to ignore, that kingdom and its King. This great utterance is a key to much of the history of the Church, and an explanation of its numberless mistakes. Moreover, it supplies an invaluable hint of the true nature of the kingdom of God. Thoma insists on the other rendering of ἄνωθεν, and compares it with the Philonic doctrine, "that the substance of the νοῦς is not attributed to that which is created, but is breathed into the flesh from above (ἄνωθεν) by God.... Aim, O soul, at the bodiless essence of the spirit world as thy inheritance." These ideas, he thinks, John has placed into the lips of Jesus. The two classes of ideas are fundamentally distinct. Philo contrasts the sensuous and the intellectual; Christ is contrasting nature and grace. <a href="/commentaries/john/3-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. replied, Ἀπεκρίθη (Apekrithē) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_611.htm">Strong's 611: </a> From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak. “Truly, Ἀμὴν (Amēn) Hebrew Word <a href="/greek/strongs_281.htm">Strong's 281: </a> Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely. truly, ἀμὴν (amēn) Hebrew Word <a href="/greek/strongs_281.htm">Strong's 281: </a> Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely. I tell λέγω (legō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. you, σοι (soi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. no οὐ (ou) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. one τις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. can δύναται (dynatai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1410.htm">Strong's 1410: </a> (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. see ἰδεῖν (idein) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. kingdom βασιλείαν (basileian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_932.htm">Strong's 932: </a> From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm. of God Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. unless ἐὰν (ean) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc. he is born γεννηθῇ (gennēthē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1080.htm">Strong's 1080: </a> From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate. again.” ἄνωθεν (anōthen) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_509.htm">Strong's 509: </a> From ano; from above; by analogy, from the first; by implication, anew. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/3-3.htm">John 3:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/3-3.htm">John 3:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/3-3.htm">John 3:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/3-3.htm">John 3:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/3-3.htm">John 3:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/3-3.htm">John 3:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/3-3.htm">John 3:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/3-3.htm">John 3:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/3-3.htm">John 3:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/3-3.htm">John 3:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/3-3.htm">NT Gospels: John 3:3 Jesus answered him Most certainly I tell (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/3-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 3:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 3:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/3-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 3:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 3:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>