Finding new possibilites

To be born again

Indicates Nicodemus came to speak with Jesus privately and secretly. He may have feared being publicly associated with Jesus.

John 3:2 NLT

After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3:3

born “from above

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3:3

born “from above

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3:3

is to have a spiritual transformation which takes a person out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God

Nicodemus want to understand . J Jesus explain. 3:5. Various views are given to explain Jesus’ words about being born of water and the Spirit: (1) The “water” refers to the natural birth, and the “Spirit” to the birth from above. (2) The “water” refers to the Word of God (). (3) The “water” refers to baptism as an essential part of regeneration. (This view contradicts other Bible verses that make it clear that salvation is by faith alone; e.g., , ; ; .) (4) The “water” is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (). (5) The “water” refers to the repentance ministry of John the Baptist, and the “Spirit” refers to the application by the Holy Spirit of Christ to an individual

Blum, E. A. (1985). John. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 281). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Rabbi Nicodemus’ use of the title indicates his respect for Jesus. See note on 1:38

So Jesus was saying that Nicodemus, in order to enter the kingdom, needed to turn to Him (repent) in order to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Blum, E. A. (1985). John. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 281)

3:3–6 This discussion of the need for spiritual rebirth further develops the earlier reference to the “children of God” who are “born of God” (1:12–13; cf. 8:39–58; 11:51–52). The phrase born of water and the Spirit in 3:5 refers to spiritual birth, which cleanses from sin and brings spiritual transformation and renewal. Water here does not refer to the water of physical birth, nor is it likely that it refers to baptism. The background is probably , where God promises, “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean.… And I will give you a new heart.… And I will put my Spirit within you.” For further discussion of being born again, see ; ; ; , , . The kingdom of God, a major topic in the other Gospels, is mentioned in John only in 3:3, 5 (see the reference to Jesus’ kingdom in ). john 3.1

John 3:1 NLT

There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee.

john

the plural also carries broader application to all people: everyone “must be born again.” Wind and Spirit translate the same Greek and Hebrew word

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 3

John uses the metaphor of the wind as a power that is felt but unseen to explain the power of the Spirit of God

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 3

This echoes God’s Spirit hovering before His creative works began—providing credence for the Spirit that Jesus initiates among all believers being one with God the Father as well (1:2). The creative act of God will enter people, becoming the source of their transformation back into God’s image

Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2025). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (pp. 2024–2025). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The Holy Spirit give birth

John 3:8 NLT

The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

john

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 3

Earthly things probably refers to Jesus’ teaching about the new birth, which takes place in a person’s life on earth. If Nicodemus as a teacher cannot even understand this, then Jesus cannot convey deeper truths to him

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary

Jesus’ point was that just as the wind cannot be controlled or understood by human beings but its effects can be witnessed, so also it is with the Holy Spirit. He cannot be controlled or understood, but the proof of His work is apparent. Where the Spirit works, there is undeniable and unmistakable evidence.

The wind blows where it wishes

John 1:14 NLT

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

1 John 3:9 NLT

Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.

1john

b

Believe in Heavenly thing

John 3:12 NLT

But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things?

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3:13

He is the “Ladder” between heaven and earth with access to both realms (cf. comments on John 1:50–51). He “descended” in the Incarnation and “ascended” in the Ascension. He also was in heaven before the Incarnation, and therefore knows the divine mysteries

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3:13

He is the “Ladder” between heaven and earth with access to both realms (cf. comments on John 1:50–51). He “descended” in the Incarnation and “ascended” in the Ascension. He also was in heaven before the Incarnation, and therefore knows the divine mysteries

zzz

1 John 4:9 NLT

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.

Earthly things probably refers to Jesus’ teaching about the new birth, which takes place in a person’s life on earth. If Nicodemus as a teacher cannot even understand this, then Jesus cannot convey deeper truths to him.

John 3:13 NLT

No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven.

Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2025). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

john3.15

John 3:15 NLT

so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 3

which John elsewhere explains as sending him to earth as a man (v. 17) to suffer and die and thereby to bear the penalty for sins

1john

1 John 2:2 NLT

He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

roman3.25

Romans 3:25 NLT

For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,

New Living Translation Study Bible Chapter 3

The Son came to save—not condemn (3:17)—men and women who habitually embrace the darkness (3:19–21).

why did god send his son into the world.

who is jesus?

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who is jesus?