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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 3:7 Do not be amazed that I said, 'You must be born again.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/3-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/43_Jhn_03_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 3:7 - Jesus and Nicodemus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not be amazed that I said, 'You must be born again.'" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script 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(Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/john/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />You should not be surprised at my saying, &#8216You must be born again.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Do not wonder that I said to you, 'It is necessary for you <i>all</i> to be born from above.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Do not be amazed that I said to you, &#8216You must be born again.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Do not be surprised that I have told you, ‘You must be born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born anew.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't be surprised when I say that you must be born from above. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born anew.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Don't be surprised when I tell you that all of you must be born from above.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do not be surprised because I tell you that you must all be born again. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Don't be astonished that I told you, 'All of you must be born from above.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not be amazed that I said, ?You must be born again.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must all be born from above.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Do not be surprised that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Marvel not that I said to thee, Ye must be born again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Do not be astonished at my telling you, 'You must all be born anew.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Don’t marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You may not wonder that I said to you, It is required for you to be born from above;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Do not wonder that I said to you, 'It is necessary for you <i>all</i> to be born from above.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Thou mayest not wonder that I said to thee, It behoveth you to be born from above;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou shouldest not wonder that I said to thee, Ye must be born from above.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Wonder not, that I said to thee, you must be born again. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You should not be amazed that I said to you: You must be born anew.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Do not be surprised because I have told you that you all must be born again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Do not be surprised that I said to you that all of you must be born again.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Wonder not that I said to you, you must all be born again,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Be not astonished because I said to thee; It behooveth you to be born from above.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />be not surprized that I said to thee, you must be born again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Do not be astonished at my telling you, 'You must all be born anew.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Marvel not that I said to you, ye must be born anew.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Do not wonder that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/3-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=654" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/3.htm">Jesus and Nicodemus</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">6</span>Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><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/2296.htm" title="2296: thaumasēs (V-ASA-2S) -- (a) intrans: I wonder, marvel, (b) trans: I wonder at, admire. From thauma; to wonder; by implication, to admire.">Do not be amazed</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipon (V-AIA-1S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">I said,</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: soi (PPro-D2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou."></a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymas (PPro-A2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">‘You</a> <a href="/greek/1163.htm" title="1163: Dei (V-PIA-3S) -- Third person singular active present of deo; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is Necessary.">must</a> <a href="/greek/1080.htm" title="1080: gennēthēnai (V-ANP) -- From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate.">be 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> </span> <span class="reftext">8</span>The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26-27</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-17.htm">2 Corinthians 5:17</a></span><br />Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/3-5.htm">Titus 3:5</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-23.htm">1 Peter 1:23</a></span><br />For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-18.htm">James 1:18</a></span><br />He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-4.htm">Romans 6:4</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-15.htm">Galatians 6:15</a></span><br />For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-9.htm">1 John 3:9</a></span><br />Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-12.htm">John 1:12-13</a></span><br />But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— / children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-50.htm">1 Corinthians 15:50</a></span><br />Now I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-1.htm">Ephesians 2:1-5</a></span><br />And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, / in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. / All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-10.htm">Colossians 3:10</a></span><br />and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-33.htm">Jeremiah 31:33</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-3.htm">Isaiah 44:3-4</a></span><br />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. / They will sprout among the grass like willows by flowing streams.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-10.htm">Psalm 51:10</a></span><br />Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Marvel not that I said to you, You must be born again.</p><p class="hdg">Marvel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/3-12.htm">John 3:12</a></b></br> If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you <i>of</i> heavenly things?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/5-28.htm">John 5:28</a></b></br> Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/6-61.htm">John 6:61-63</a></b></br> When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? … </p><p class="hdg">Ye.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/3-3.htm">John 3:3</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/15-14.htm">Job 15:14</a></b></br> What <i>is</i> man, that he should be clean? and <i>he which is</i> born of a woman, that he should be righteous?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/13-33.htm">Matthew 13:33-35</a></b></br> Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened… </p><p class="hdg">again.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/24-37.htm">Amazed</a> <a href="/john/3-3.htm">Anew</a> <a href="/luke/24-22.htm">Astonished</a> <a href="/luke/24-44.htm">Behoveth</a> <a href="/john/3-6.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/john/3-6.htm">Born</a> <a href="/mark/5-20.htm">Marvel</a> <a href="/luke/23-42.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/luke/24-46.htm">Necessary</a> <a href="/luke/10-42.htm">Needful</a> <a href="/john/3-4.htm">Second</a> <a href="/luke/11-38.htm">Surprised</a> <a href="/luke/24-36.htm">Telling</a> <a href="/luke/24-41.htm">Wonder</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/4-27.htm">Amazed</a> <a href="/philippians/3-21.htm">Anew</a> <a href="/john/7-15.htm">Astonished</a> <a href="/john/3-14.htm">Behoveth</a> <a href="/john/3-8.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/john/3-8.htm">Born</a> <a href="/john/5-20.htm">Marvel</a> <a href="/john/11-22.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/john/3-14.htm">Necessary</a> <a href="/acts/1-16.htm">Needful</a> <a href="/john/4-54.htm">Second</a> <a href="/john/4-27.htm">Surprised</a> <a href="/john/8-27.htm">Telling</a> <a href="/john/5-20.htm">Wonder</a><div class="vheading2">John 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/3-1.htm">Jesus teaches Nicodemus the necessity of being born again,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/3-14.htm">of faith in his death,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/3-16.htm">the great love of God toward the world,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/3-18.htm">and the condemnation for unbelief.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/3-22.htm">Jesus baptizes in Judea.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/3-23.htm">The baptism, witness, and doctrine of John concerning Jesus.</a></span><br></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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Do not be amazed</b><br>In this passage, Jesus addresses Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council. The term "amazed" suggests Nicodemus's surprise or confusion at Jesus' teaching. In the Jewish context, spiritual rebirth was not a common concept, and Nicodemus, as a learned teacher, would have been familiar with the Law and the Prophets but not with the idea of being "born again." This phrase indicates the radical nature of Jesus' message, which challenges traditional Jewish beliefs and emphasizes the need for spiritual transformation.<p><b>that I said</b><br>Jesus speaks with authority, indicating that His words carry divine weight. The phrase "that I said" underscores the personal nature of Jesus' teaching. In the Gospels, Jesus often uses direct speech to convey important truths, emphasizing His role as the ultimate teacher and revealer of God's will. This reflects the prophetic tradition where God's messengers deliver His words directly to the people.<p><b>‘You must be born again.’</b><br>The concept of being "born again" is central to Christian theology, signifying a spiritual rebirth and transformation through faith in Jesus Christ. This idea is rooted in the Old Testament, where the prophets spoke of a new heart and spirit (<a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26-27</a>). The necessity of being "born again" highlights the insufficiency of mere physical birth or adherence to the Law for entering the Kingdom of God. It points to the need for a new creation, as Paul later elaborates in <a href="/2_corinthians/5-17.htm">2 Corinthians 5:17</a>. This phrase also connects to the broader theme of regeneration and renewal found throughout the New Testament, emphasizing the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus about the necessity of spiritual rebirth.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/n/nicodemus.htm">Nicodemus</a></b><br>A Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council who comes to Jesus by night, seeking understanding of His teachings.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where this conversation takes place, a significant location for Jewish religious life and Jesus' ministry.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_new_birth.htm">The New Birth</a></b><br>The event or process Jesus describes, emphasizing a spiritual transformation necessary for entering the Kingdom of God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/n/necessity_of_spiritual_rebirth.htm">Necessity of Spiritual Rebirth</a></b><br>Jesus emphasizes that being "born again" is not optional but essential for entering the Kingdom of God. This rebirth is a spiritual transformation that goes beyond physical birth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_new_birth.htm">Understanding the New Birth</a></b><br>The Greek term "an?then" can mean "again" or "from above," indicating that this birth is a divine act initiated by God, not a human effort.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_transformation.htm">Faith and Transformation</a></b><br>The new birth involves a personal faith in Jesus Christ, leading to a transformation of heart and life. It is a work of the Holy Spirit, renewing and regenerating the believer.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_as_new_creations.htm">Living as New Creations</a></b><br>Believers are called to live out their new identity in Christ, reflecting the change that has occurred within them. This involves a daily commitment to follow Jesus and grow in holiness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/witnessing_to_others.htm">Witnessing to Others</a></b><br>Understanding the necessity of being born again should motivate believers to share the gospel with others, inviting them to experience this transformative relationship with Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_decisional_regeneration.htm">What is Decisional Regeneration?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_spiritual_rebirth.htm">What is spiritual rebirth?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'born_of_the_flesh'_mean.htm">What does "born of the flesh" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'born_again'_mean_in_islam.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>(7) <span class= "bld">Ye must be born again.</span>--The laws of natural and spiritual generation have been stated as general truths, holding good for all mankind, "that which is born." But there is a special application to the present case, "Marvel not that I said unto thee (teacher as thou art) that ye (children of Abraham as ye are) must be born again." In so far as they were children of Abraham according to the flesh, they were children of Abraham's physical and sinful nature. The law of that, as of all human nature, was that flesh ruled animal life, and animal life ruled spirit, and the whole man became carnal, bringing forth the fruits of the flesh. The law of the regenerate nature was that the spirit, born by the influence of the Divine Spirit, rose to a new life of communion with God, controlled the lower life, with its affections, feelings, and desires, and that these thus controlled became the motive power of the body; the whole man thus became spiritual, bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit. (Comp. Note on <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-23.htm" title="And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.">1Thessalonians 5:23</a>.) For them, then, as for all, it was no matter of wonder, it was an absolute necessity of their true life, that they should be born anew.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born anew.</span> Nicodemus had revealed, by his expressions of countenance or unrecorded words, his surprise. This further explanation deepened the solemnity of the first assertion by a bold antithesis between the birth of flesh producing nothing but flesh, however high its culture, and the birth of spirit from the Spirit himself, the heavenly and Divine Originator of all genuine repentance, and the sole Cause of the new life. Nicodemus was clinging more and more eagerly to the old ideas of national privilege, of sacramental purification, of soundly taught principles and habits. He marvelled at such representation which took the heart out of all his previous training. The Messianic kingdom for which he had been looking and longing seemed to fade away in the clouds of an utter mysticism, and to vanish out of his power of recognition. Our Lord gently reproved the expression of his surprise, and reminded him of the previous utterance, "<span class="accented">I</span> said to <span class="accented">thee, Ye</span>," etc. Nicodemus had come in the name of others. Jesus replies, and reasserts the principles for the entire group of persons which Nicodemus might be supposed to represent. We must not fail to notice that, whereas in other parts of the discourse our Lord speaks in the plural first person, yet be discriminates himself from. others in this statement. He does not say, "<span class="accented">We must</span>," etc., but "<span class="accented">Ye must</span>," etc. He had no consciousness of personal need of regeneration, nor was <span class="accented">he</span> in the first case born as flesh from flesh. His flesh was itself the work of the Spirit. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/3-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Do not be amazed</span><br /><span class="grk">θαυμάσῃς</span> <span class="translit">(thaumasēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2296.htm">Strong's 2296: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) intrans: I wonder, marvel, (b) trans: I wonder at, admire. From thauma; to wonder; by implication, to admire.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="grk">ὅτι</span> <span class="translit">(hoti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I said,</span><br /><span class="grk">εἶπόν</span> <span class="translit">(eipon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> </span><span class="str2">Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘You</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑμᾶς</span> <span class="translit">(hymas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">must</span><br /><span class="grk">Δεῖ</span> <span class="translit">(Dei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1163.htm">Strong's 1163: </a> </span><span class="str2">Third person singular active present of deo; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is Necessary.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be born</span><br /><span class="grk">γεννηθῆναι</span> <span class="translit">(gennēthēnai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1080.htm">Strong's 1080: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">again.’</span><br /><span class="grk">ἄνωθεν</span> <span class="translit">(anōthen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_509.htm">Strong's 509: </a> </span><span class="str2">From ano; from above; by analogy, from the first; by implication, anew.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/3-7.htm">John 3:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/3-7.htm">John 3:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/3-7.htm">John 3:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/3-7.htm">John 3:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/3-7.htm">John 3:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/3-7.htm">John 3:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/3-7.htm">John 3:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/3-7.htm">John 3:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/3-7.htm">John 3:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/3-7.htm">John 3:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/3-7.htm">NT Gospels: John 3:7 Don't marvel that I said to you (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/3-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 3:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 3:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/3-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 3:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 3:8" /></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>