3:1-21 Born of the Spirit

February 17, 2021

Read John 3:1-21

Nicodemus, a Pharisee (1) and a teacher of Israel (10), represents the old religion. He had been impressed by the signs Jesus had done in Jerusalem (1-2; 2:23) and he came respectfully to discuss with Jesus, as one Rabbi to another. Jesus’s reply was emphatic: “You must be born again” (3,5,11). Because of the inadequacy of outward religion, he declared that people needed to be re-made by the power of God. The word again (3,7) can also be translated from above and both meanings are probably intended here. The key idea is that we must be “born of God” (1:13).

This is also described as being “born of water and the Spirit” (5). The most obvious meaning of water is that it refers to baptism, for John the Baptist had spoken of both water and Spirit in this regard (1:31-33). Like John, Jesus was insisting that baptism with water is not enough and that the essential thing is new birth through the Spirit (6,8; 1 Pet.1:3). Baptism with water is a sign (and symbol) of baptism with the Spirit (Titus 3:5). Jesus was telling Nicodemus that the new age of the Spirit which the prophets had foretold (Ezek.36:25-27) had now come through him and that the only way to enter it was through an inner work of the Spirit.

John has already said that people are born of God through faith in Jesus (1:12-13). So now Jesus continues by emphasising that he himself is the basis of this new birth and that it would be made possible by him being “lifted up” on the cross (14; 12:32-33). Through his death, there is eternal life for all who believe (15). The basis of salvation is God’s love for us (16a) but we each must choose whether or not we are willing to believe in him (16b-18).