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In this lesson:
The way to salvation. The importance of being reborn. Christ died to save us (3:14-16). Notice that the word "believe" is used seven times in seven verses (3:12-18). This is a excellent passage to read when tempted to sin. Study Tip: We tend to read like we're in a race. But when you read the Bible, take the time to meditate on each passage. |
Nicodemus visits Jesus under the cover of darkness.
By an unknown artist |
The Gospel According to St. John
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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John 3:1-21
Nicodemus 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. |
Margin notes:
"Nicodemus." (3:1) - A Pharisee and member of the powerful Jewish high council (the Sanhedrin). Unlike the other Pharisee, Nicodemus believed that God sent Jesus (John 3:1-2), secretly visited Him in the dead of night, defended Him (7:50-51), and was challenged by the Sanhedrin (7:52-53). Later, when Nicodemus was absent, the Sanhedrin tried and convicted Jesus of blasphemy. After the crucifixion, when even Jesus' disciples had gone into hiding, Nicodemus risked his high position by helping to bury our Lord (John 19:39-40). It is believed that Nicodemus was one of the three wealthiest men in Jerusalem but lost everything due to the persecution he suffered for following Jesus. "The same came to Jesus by night." (3:2) - As a Pharisee, Nicodemus did not want to be seen talking to Jesus. "Born again." (3:3) - To be "born again" results "from the impregnation of the human heart by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:1-11). ("Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; page 535). See "Today's Question" below. "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (3:5) - When we accept Jesus, we are washed clean, and a new life begins (2 Corinthians 5:17). See also 1 Corinthians 15:50. "That which is born of the flesh." (3:6) - Means, "Those who are born of human parents." "Marvel not that I said unto thee." (3:7) - "Don't be surprised that I told you." "The wind bloweth where it listeth." (3:8) - "The wind blows where it wishes." "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" ("The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville Tennessee; pg. 1358). See also Ecclesiastes 11:5. "Art thou a master of Israel?" (3:10) - "Aren't you a teacher of Judaism?" "And as Moses lifted up the serpent..." (3:14) - This is a reference to how God punished the rebellious Israelites with a plague of venomous snakes. Moses lifted a brass/bronze serpent on a pole high in the air for all to see. Anyone who looked upon the serpent and trusted God was healed from their snakebites (Numbers 21:4-9). This action by Moses was a foreshadowing of Jesus being lifted on a cross (crucified). Anyone who trusts in Jesus will be healed of their sins (3:16). "Whosoever believeth in him should not perish." (3:15) - Means we are saved through faith. "Eternal life." (3:15) - "Measureless, never ending life." "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish." (3:16) - The entire message of the New Testament is summed up in this one verse. It is such a vital teaching, the Gospel of John repeats it over fifteen times. God loves mankind and sacrificed His Son for us. Anyone who accepts Jesus' sacrifice on the cross will enjoy life eternal, no matter who they are or what they've done (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). Understand this verse, and you understand the New Covenant. "God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (3:17) - Jesus reinforces this message in Luke 9:56. "He that believeth on him is not condemned." (3:18) - "Those who believe in him (Jesus) are not condemned." Means, it is faith that saves us. This verse carries such an important message, John repeats it in verses 5:24, 6:37, 6:40, 6:47, and again in 20:31. "Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (3:19) - Jesus is light, exposing sin. So the world hates Him (John 7:7). "His deeds should be reproved." (3:20) - "His sins would be exposed." "He that doeth truth." (3:21) - "He that does what is right." "That his deeds may be made manifest." (3:21) - "That his deeds will be revealed." |
New Living Translation
John 3:1-21
1 There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee.
2 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."
3 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God."
4 "What do you mean?" exclaimed Nicodemus. "How can an old man go back into his mother's womb and be born again?"
5 Jesus replied, "I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.
6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.
7 So don't be surprised when I say, 'You must be born again.'
8 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."
9 "How are these things possible?" Nicodemus asked.
10 Jesus replied, "You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don't understand these things?
11 I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won't believe our testimony.
12 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?
13 No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.
16 "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
18 "There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son.
19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.
20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.
21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
1 There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee.
2 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."
3 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God."
4 "What do you mean?" exclaimed Nicodemus. "How can an old man go back into his mother's womb and be born again?"
5 Jesus replied, "I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.
6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.
7 So don't be surprised when I say, 'You must be born again.'
8 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."
9 "How are these things possible?" Nicodemus asked.
10 Jesus replied, "You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don't understand these things?
11 I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won't believe our testimony.
12 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?
13 No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.
16 "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
18 "There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son.
19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.
20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.
21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 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. 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." (3:1-3)
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?" (3:11-12)
"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." (3:16)
"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (3:19)
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?" (3:11-12)
"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." (3:16)
"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (3:19)
Today's Question:
1. What does it mean to be "born again?" (3:3)
Temper is what gets most of us into trouble. Pride is what keeps us there.
1. What does it mean to be "born again?" (3:3)
Temper is what gets most of us into trouble. Pride is what keeps us there.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Being "born again" refers to a spiritual birth (John 1:12-13). It means becoming a child of God and being inwardly changed from a life of sin. Each of us must have two births; the first is of the body, the second of the soul. Just as it's impossible to live without being born, it's impossible to have eternal life without a spiritual birth.
Application thought for the day:
Verse 3:16 answers the question, does God love us.
"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."
John 3:16 not only says that God loves us, but it also tells us
the way to salvation and the means of our peace and hope in this life.
A peace and hope offered to even the most unworthy believer.
This single verse offers us a changed life. A life lived in fellowship with God.
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies; " "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke