1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 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.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 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.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Chapter 3 of the Book of John in the King James Version of the Holy Bible is one of the central texts in the New Testament. It centers around the conversation between Jesus Christ and Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jerusalem Sanhedrin. This chapter is essential for understanding the Christian doctrine of being 'born again' and the concept of salvation by faith in Christ.
The chapter begins with Nicodemus, a respected Pharisee, seeking Jesus at night to discuss his teachings (John 3:1-2). Nicodemus acknowledges Jesus as a teacher sent by God, as he recognized the divine nature of the miracles Jesus performed. The night visit indicates Nicodemus's curiosity about Jesus's teachings, but also his fear of the backlash from the Sanhedrin, which was hostile towards Jesus.
Jesus's response to Nicodemus is one of the most profound statements in the New Testament: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). This statement introduces the concept of spiritual rebirth, a theme that permeates the teachings of Christianity.
Nicodemus is puzzled by Jesus's statement, interpreting it literally and asking how someone can be born when they are old (John 3:4). Jesus clarifies that this rebirth is not physical, but spiritual: "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). This metaphor of birth signifies a transformative experience, a radical break from the past, and a new beginning in the Spirit. It also underscores the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.
Jesus further explains that humans can give birth only to physical life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life (John 3:6). He also uses the metaphor of the wind to explain the work of the Spirit: "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8). This metaphor reflects the mysterious and unpredictable nature of the Spirit's work in the believer's life.
The conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus sets the stage for one of the most quoted verses in the Bible, John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life". This verse encapsulates the Christian doctrine of salvation: God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world not to condemn it but to save it through Him. The focus is on God's love for humanity and the promise of eternal life through belief in Jesus.
Jesus contrasts the fate of those who believe in Him with those who do not. Those who believe are not condemned, but those who do not believe are already condemned because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son (John 3:18). The chapter also includes a discourse on light and darkness as metaphors for truth and evil (John 3:19-21). Those who do evil avoid the light for fear their deeds will be exposed, while those who live by the truth come into the light, so it is clear their actions are done in God.
The chapter concludes with John the Baptist's testimony about Jesus (John 3:22-36). John reiterates that he is not the Messiah but was sent ahead of Him. He uses the metaphor of the bridegroom to describe Jesus, stating that he, John, is the friend who attends the bridegroom and rejoices at his voice. This signifies John's subservient role to Jesus.
John the Baptist also affirms Jesus's divine origin and authority: "He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all" (John 3:31). This statement underscores Jesus's superiority over all things and beings. John concludes his testimony by reiterating the importance of belief in Jesus for eternal life: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36).
Chapter 3 of the Book of John in the KJV Bible is a profound exposition of key Christian doctrines, including spiritual rebirth, salvation by faith in Christ, and the divine origin and authority of Jesus. The dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus, the conversation with John the Baptist, and the metaphors used, such as birth, wind, light, and darkness, all contribute to the depth and richness of this chapter. It challenges the reader to reflect on their spiritual condition, the nature of God's love, and the promise of eternal life through belief in Jesus Christ.
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