John 3:1-15
Born from Above
Read the passage
1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.
2He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him.”
3Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
4“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?”
5Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
6Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit.
7Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’
8The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
9“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and you do not understand these things?
11Truly, truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, and yet you people do not accept our testimony.
12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
13No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man.
14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
15that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Nicodemus is a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews. He comes to Jesus by night and calls Him Rabbi, saying that no one can do the signs Jesus does unless God is with him.
Jesus answers that unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus asks how someone can be born when he is old. Jesus explains that one must be born of water and the Spirit.
The wind blows where it wishes, and its sound is heard, but no one knows where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. Nicodemus is still confused, and Jesus challenges him as a teacher of Israel who does not understand these things.
Nicodemus recognizes a teacher from God, but Jesus tells him he needs a life only God can give. Natural birth cannot produce spiritual life. The wind is heard without being directed by the listener; likewise, the Spirit's work is real without being under our control. New birth cannot be achieved by mastering a lesson or improving our standing.
Ezekiel 36:25–27 helps us understand the language of water and Spirit. God promises to cleanse His people, give them a new heart, and put His Spirit within them so that they obey Him. Jesus' words call Israel's teacher to recognize the need for that cleansing and life from God.
Jesus speaks of what He knows and has seen. He points to the bronze serpent lifted by Moses in the wilderness: so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.
How We Know
In Numbers 21:4–9, Israelites bitten by snakes live when they look at the bronze snake Moses raises at God's command. Jesus explicitly connects that event to the Son of Man being lifted up so that believers may have eternal life. Later, John 12:32–33 identifies being lifted up with the manner of His death. The connection to the cross comes from Jesus' comparison and John's explanation, rather than from the shape of the pole alone.
Questions
1 When does Nicodemus visit Jesus?
AnswerHe comes by night. The timing may reflect caution, but he still takes the step of approaching Jesus and addressing Him as Rabbi.
2 What must happen for someone to see God's kingdom?
AnswerJesus says the person must be born from above, born of water and the Spirit rather than relying on natural status or religious knowledge.
3 What does Jesus compare the Spirit to?
AnswerHe compares the Spirit to wind whose sound is heard even though its origin and destination cannot be controlled or fully seen.
4 Why must the Son of Man be lifted up?
AnswerJesus says He must be lifted up so that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life, connecting new birth to His saving death.
What This Means for Us
Nicodemus has knowledge and status, but Jesus tells him that neither is a substitute for new life from the Spirit. Families should value learning without confusing religious information with transformation.
Nicodemus must be willing to receive correction, even as an experienced teacher. We can bring our questions to Jesus without defending the idea that we already understand. His answer directs our trust toward the Son lifted up for us.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, give our household new life from above. Make us humble enough to ask questions, willing to receive correction, and trusting in Jesus lifted up for our salvation. Amen.