John 3:1-12

John 3:1–12 NASB95

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? 11 “Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. 12 “If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

A lot is happening here in this text. So lets break this down:

So after the turning water into wine, and the cleansing of the temple,, now we turn to a calmer situation.

This is the first time in the gospel of John when we get to sit and learn from the Lord.

John 3:1–2 NASB95

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

So once all the events of Chapter 2 takes place. We get to a man name Nicodemus.

Nicodemus

What do we know about Nicodemus?

Nicodemus is a Pharisees. a ruler of the Jews

A Pharisees is a religious member of a group of Jews that run the temple. Highly educated Jewish men.

They were strong influence to the culture at that time.

The Pharisees were the ones that benefit from the temple selling.

Chances are that Nicodemus was one of the one asking Jesus about his authority in John 2:18

But Nicodemus visits Jesus at night.

Why at night?

its clear that many people had a problem with Jesus.

did not want to be seen

nervous to receive condemnation from other Jews

or

it could be from Jesus undivided attention

we don't know, but we can look at it (in a way)

that Nicodemus came at night to talk to Jesus (Darkness into Light)

Rabbi

Nicodemus honors Jesus with the title of Rabbi

He stood apart from the others

He was respectful even in his lack of understanding. Tethering

He said to Jesus that he knew that Jesus was of God, because he could not do what he was doing unless God is with Him .

Nicodemus, So what was the aim?

What do you think that Nicodemus is getting at?

could it be that he is seeking eternal life?

like the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17?

Jesus’ Answer.

John 3:3 NASB95

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

It looks like Jesus here ignores Nicodemus’ statement.

However he is giving a perfect response

just as Nicodemus states that Jesus could not do these things unless God was with Himl

Jesus says you can not see the kingdom of God unless you are born again.

Jesus’ immediately response to salvation.

If Nicodemus question is about his salvation, jesus answers without Him asking.

Jesus says you must have a new life in order to have life.

Nicodemus confused!!

John 3:4 NASB95

4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”

Nicodemus is still thinking with a fleshly and material mindset.

He asking this question in a misunderstanding way, or even in rebellion. Thus the reason for him asking questions. (maybe even showing his intelligence)

John 3:5 NASB95

5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

So what does this mean?

What does this mean when Jesus says that unless one is born of water and the Spirit?

But what does that mean?

Some will say that it is talking about one being baptized. The water being for baptize

some say it is a physical birth

However, lets remember that Jesus is talking to a well educated Jew that knows the scripture.

Maybe this text is referring to the Old Testament

water and Spirit are linked to the pouring out of God’s Spirit in the end times.

Isaiah 44:3 NASB95

3 ‘For I will pour out water on the thirsty land And streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring And My blessing on your descendants;

and

Ezekiel 36:25–27 NASB95

25 “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

So Jesus here is using the Old Testament to prove Himself.

Jesus goes deeper

John 3:6–8 NASB95

6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Jesus shows the weakness of flesh and the and the beauty of the Spirit.

The weakness of man (flesh)

the Power of God (Spirit)

So Jesus says don't be amazed about being born again

showing that its impossible for one to have salvation alone

Jesus shares the work of the Spirit

God’s spirit can not be control (like to wind)

all we can see is the results

The Holy Spirit works inside the human heart, we don't see it happening, but we see the result.

Nicodemus, the unknowing student

John 3:9–10 NASB95

9 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?

Jesus is explaining Old Testament truth to this Jewish scholar, and he does not understand.

‘all of his training, knowledge now has been humbled.

John 3:11 NASB95

11 “Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony.

“We speak” Jesus speaks of his people (disciples) and the testimony is dealing with John the Baptist.

truly truly I say to you (singular) ....you (plural) do not receive our testimony

Jesus speaks to Nicodemus and his class of Pharisees when using the (plural You)

Which leads to Jesus asking

John 3:12 NASB95

12 “If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

What Jesus did, was he took the education Jewish man, that was known from knowing the scripture

in high regard with the nation of Israel.

knocked him down to size.

John 3:11–12 (AMP): If I have told you of things that happen right here on the earth and yet none of you believes Me, how can you believe (trust Me, adhere to Me, rely on Me) if I tell you of heavenly things