Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. Now return to the main page and compare your Describe the man who approaches Jesus. See John 3:1-2 (printed below)
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. (2) This man came to Jesus at night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you are doing, unless God is with him. (John 3:1-2)
In this third chapter of John’s gospel we find a sincere and devoutly religious man approach Jesus in order to speak with Him about spiritual things. His name is Nicodemus. We are told he belonged to the Pharisees, one of the most religious sects in all of Judaism. Furthermore, we are informed that this man held a high position in Jewish society; he was a member of the Jewish ruling council. This would indicate that he was respected and held in high esteem by the community, recognized as a religious leader and a very pious man.
2. What is the first thing Jesus says to this man? See John 3:3 (printed below)
Jesus replied to him by saying, I tell you the truth, Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)
Jesus immediately forces this man, Nicodemus, to come to grips with the necessity of the spiritual new birth. It is as though Jesus is saying, “You cannot even hold a meaningful conversation about spiritual things unless you have first been born again.” By way of illustration: you would be completely out of place and at a loss in a foreign country unless you knew the language and something of the culture of that particular country.
3. How many times in this passage does Jesus refer to the new birth, or to being born again? See John 3:3,5,7 (printed below)
Jesus replied to him by saying, I tell you the truth, Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God… (5) Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, Unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God! …(7) Do not be amazed because I tell you, You must be born again. (John 3:3,5,7)
Three times in this passage the Lord Jesus solemnly repeats the necessity of experiencing the new birth if one would enter into the kingdom of God: verses 3, 5, and 7. Jesus teaches that unless a person is born again he/she is not able to enter into the kingdom of God (verse 5).
4. How does Jesus describe the new birth in verse 5 (printed below?) Note, also, Titus 3:5 (printed below)
Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, Unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God! (John 3:5)
…he saved us—not by works that we ourselves performed in righteousness, but by his mercy—through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5)
In verse 5 Jesus brings together the elements of new birth and cleansing and the operation of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5 further explains these things: “he saved us—not by works that we ourselves performed in righteousness, but by his mercy—through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Just as you take a bath to wash your body and make it clean, so the Bible here is speaking of a spiritual “bath” that will not only wash your soul, but will also make you a new person. When you “step out” of this “bath” you are not only made morally clean, you are made a new creation—it is a washing that regenerates you, a washing that causes you to be spiritually reborn or born again. This great washing and renewing is the work of the Holy Spirit: He drags the sinner out of the “mire” of sin, He plunges him into this holy “bath,” and He presents him to God, clean and new. That is to say, the Holy Spirit causes the sinner to come to Jesus Christ and believe in Him. Jesus Christ Himself provides the “bath” that consists of the blood He shed at Calvary for the forgiveness of sins and the regenerating of the believing sinner.
5. What does Jesus tell Nicodemus in verse 6 (printed below?) What does this mean? What does it imply?
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:6)
In John 3:6 Jesus teaches that there is no such thing as “spiritual evolution.” Jesus declares, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” That is to say, a man cannot transform himself; he cannot change his own nature; he cannot cease being a sinner and convert himself into a saint. A man cannot undergo a self-induced metamorphosis, transforming himself from being “a caterpillar of sin” into “a butterfly of godliness.” If you/I are to enter into the kingdom of God, what is required is nothing less radical than the spiritual rebirth—that operation of the Holy Spirit by which He causes us to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and surrender ourselves to Him.
