John 3
Jesus and Nicodemus
1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.”
3Jesus answered him, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.”
4Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
5Jesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and Spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom.
6That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7Don’t marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’
8The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don’t know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
9Nicodemus answered him, “How can these things be?”
10Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and don’t understand these things?
11Most certainly I tell you, we speak that which we know and testify of that which we have seen, and you don’t receive our witness.
12If I told you earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
13No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven.
14As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
15that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
17For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.
18He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only born Son of God.
19This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil.
20For everyone who does evil hates the light and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed.
21But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.”
John's Final Testimony
22After these things, Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them and baptized.
23John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came and were baptized;
24for John was not yet thrown into prison.
25Therefore a dispute arose on the part of John’s disciples with some Jews about purification.
26They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.”
27John answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.
28You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’
29He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore my joy is made full.
30He must increase, but I must decrease.
31“He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.
32What he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness.
33He who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true.
34For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure.
35The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.
36One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
John 3 presents two pivotal encounters that reveal Jesus' identity and mission. The chapter opens with Nicodemus, a Pharisee leader, visiting Jesus at night to discuss spiritual rebirth, leading to Jesus' famous declaration about God's love and the gift of eternal life through belief in His Son. The chapter concludes with John the Baptist's final testimony, where he humbly acknowledges Jesus' supremacy and expresses joy at Christ's growing ministry, demonstrating the proper response of witness and humility before the Messiah.
Context
Following Jesus' temple cleansing in chapter 2, this chapter deepens the exploration of His identity through private dialogue and public testimony, setting up the Samaritan woman encounter in chapter 4.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-2Nicodemus Approaches JesusA Pharisee ruler comes to Jesus at night, acknowledging Him as a teacher from God based on His miraculous signs.
- 3-8Teaching on Spiritual BirthJesus explains the necessity of being born again through water and Spirit to enter God's kingdom, using the analogy of wind.
- 9-15Jesus' Authority and MissionJesus challenges Nicodemus' understanding and reveals His divine origin and salvific purpose through the serpent analogy.
- 16-21God's Love and JudgmentThe famous declaration of God's love for the world and the choice between light and darkness that determines judgment.
- 22-26Parallel Baptizing MinistriesJesus and John the Baptist both conduct baptizing ministries, leading to questions from John's disciples about Jesus' growing popularity.
- 27-36John's Final TestimonyJohn the Baptist affirms his role as forerunner and expresses joy at Jesus' increasing influence and divine authority.
Jesus and Nicodemus
3:1–3:21Jesus teaches Nicodemus about spiritual rebirth and eternal life, culminating in the famous declaration that God gave his Son so that whoever believes might have eternal life. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of being born again through water and Spirit.
person_contrast
While Jesus typically appears in contexts of authority and judgment throughout the Gospels, this dialogue uniquely pairs him with themes of eternal life and spiritual transformation rather than condemnation.
John's Final Testimony
3:22–3:36John the Baptist gives his final testimony about Jesus, declaring that Jesus must increase while he must decrease. He affirms Jesus' divine authority and warns that eternal life comes through belief in the Son.
person_contrast
While Jesus typically exercises authority through judgment in John's Gospel, here John the Baptist uniquely links Jesus' supreme authority directly to eternal life, creating the Gospel's most explicit connection between divine power and salvific promise.
John 3:2
John 9:4lexicalI must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work.
Mark 12:14lexicalWhen they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t par…
Matthew 22:16lexicalThey sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the…
John 3:3
Matthew 19:12lexicalFor there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by me…
Matthew 18:3lexicaland said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the K…
John 5:19lexicalJesus therefore answered them, “Most certainly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Fath…
Mark 9:1lexicalHe said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste death until they see…
Matthew 16:28lexicalMost certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death until they see the Son of Man…
John 3:4
Matthew 19:12lexicalFor there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by me…
Matthew 12:29lexicalOr how can one enter into the house of the strong man and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then h…
John 3:5
Matthew 18:3lexicaland said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the K…
Matthew 19:12lexicalFor there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by me…
Mark 10:15lexicalMost certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”
Luke 18:17lexicalMost certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn’t receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”
Matthew 19:23lexicalJesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficu…
John 3:8
John 8:14lexicalJesus answered them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am…
John 13:36lexicalSimon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you w…
John 14:5lexicalThomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
1 John 2:11lexicalBut he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he is going, because…
John 12:35lexicalJesus therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness do…
John 3:11
John 19:35lexicalHe who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe.
1 John 5:9lexicalIf we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is God’s testimony which he has testified conc…
John 8:14lexicalJesus answered them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am…
John 21:24lexicalThis is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.
John 5:32lexicalIt is another who testifies about me. I know that the testimony which he testifies about me is true.
John 3:12
Philippians 2:10lexicalthat at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,
1 Corinthians 15:40lexicalThere are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial differs from that of the terrestr…
John 3:13
John 1:51lexicalHe said to him, “Most certainly, I tell you all, hereafter you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending a…
Matthew 3:16lexicalJesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spi…
Revelation 20:9lexicalThey went up over the width of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. Fire came down out…
Ephesians 4:10lexicalHe who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.
Mark 1:10lexicalImmediately coming up from the water, he saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
John 3:14
John 12:34lexicalThe multitude answered him, “We have heard out of the law that the Christ remains forever. How do you say, ‘The Son of M…
Acts 7:44lexical“Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he who spoke to Moses commanded him to make…
John 8:28lexicalJesus therefore said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing…
John 3:15
Acts 13:48lexicalAs the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of God. As many as were appointed to eternal life beli…
John 6:47lexicalMost certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life.
John 5:24lexical“Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and doesn’t come into ju…
1 Timothy 1:16lexicalHowever, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience for an example o…
John 6:40lexicalThis is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; an…
John 3:16
John 6:27lexicalDon’t work for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give t…
John 10:28lexicalI give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
John 6:40lexicalThis is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; an…
1 John 5:11lexicalThe testimony is this: that God gave to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1 John 5:20lexicalWe know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we know him who is true; and we are in him…
John 3:17
John 12:47lexicalIf anyone listens to my sayings and doesn’t believe, I don’t judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save t…
1 John 4:14lexicalWe have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as the Savior of the world.
1 John 4:9lexicalBy this God’s love was revealed in us, that God has sent his only born Son into the world that we might live through him…
John 10:36lexicaldo you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of…
John 3:19
Matthew 6:23lexicalBut if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, ho…
Romans 13:12lexicalThe night is far gone, and the day is near. Let’s therefore throw off the deeds of darkness, and let’s put on the armor…
Ephesians 5:11lexicalHave no fellowship with the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather even reprove them.
John 7:7lexicalThe world can’t hate you, but it hates me, because I testify about it, that its works are evil.
John 3:22
Acts 16:1lexicalHe came to Derbe and Lystra; and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed,…
John 11:8lexicalThe disciples asked him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you. Are you going there again?”
John 3:23
Acts 1:5lexicalFor John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Matthew 3:13lexicalThen Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
John 1:26lexicalJohn answered them, “I baptize in water, but among you stands one whom you don’t know.
Acts 11:16lexicalI remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spi…
Luke 3:16lexicalJohn answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandal…
John 3:26
John 1:28lexicalThese things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
John 10:40lexicalHe went away again beyond the Jordan into the place where John was baptizing at first, and he stayed there.
Mark 1:9lexicalIn those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
Matthew 3:13lexicalThen Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
John 3:29
Revelation 18:23lexicalThe light of a lamp will shine no more at all in you. The voice of the bridegroom and of the bride will be heard no more…
Acts 12:14lexicalWhen she recognized Peter’s voice, she didn’t open the gate for joy, but ran in and reported that Peter was standing in…
Acts 9:7lexicalThe men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one.
Revelation 3:20lexicalBehold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him and will…
Revelation 10:8lexicalThe voice which I heard from heaven, again speaking with me, said, “Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the a…
John 3:32
John 19:35lexicalHe who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe.
1 John 5:9lexicalIf we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is God’s testimony which he has testified conc…
John 5:37lexicalThe Father himself, who sent me, has testified about me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form…
John 3:34
John 17:8lexicalfor the words which you have given me I have given to them; and they received them, and knew for sure that I came from y…
Acts 28:25lexicalWhen they didn’t agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one message: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly…
Acts 10:44lexicalWhile Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word.
Acts 5:32lexicalWe are his witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
John 3:36
John 6:27lexicalDon’t work for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give t…
John 6:40lexicalThis is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; an…
1 John 3:15lexicalWhoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.
Acts 13:48lexicalAs the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of God. As many as were appointed to eternal life beli…
John 6:47lexicalMost certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life.
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Historical Context
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