John 3:3-6 – Bible Study & Exploration
You Must Be Born of Water
(Verses 3-4) This chapter is the most significant chapter in the gospel of John. It’s also one of the most significant to becoming a Christian. It reveals the truth to understanding the significance to being born of water and of spirit.
Notice that Nicodemus didn’t ask a question. But his description of Jesus reveals the flaws in His understanding of who Jesus really is. Jesus’ replies to Nicodemus this way.
“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3)
Jesus’ response doesn’t seem to quite match up with what Nicodemus said, at least not to Nicodemus. Remember, Nicodemus is well versed in the Old Testament and likely has it memorized. He understands heavenly things as they’re taught in the Old Testament. He is highly regarded among his peers as a leader among leaders in the Jewish community.
Nicodemus is likely feeling a little uneasy about the conversation. He doesn’t know what Jesus is really talking about. But we see that Nicodemus has a searching heart looking for answers. He knows there’s something very special about Jesus. Nicodemus recognizes God’s unmistakable power through Jesus and wants to know more about His message.
Jesus is using this situation to teach Nicodemus the truth about the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus is invoking a role reversal. In this scene, Jesus is the perfect and true teacher (Rabbi) and Nicodemus is the disciple (Talmid).
Kingdom of God vs. Kingdom of Heaven
We see these two phrases used throughout scripture. Here in Jesus’ response to Nicodemus he uses the “kingdom of God.” Do they mean the same thing? Let’s take a look.
The “kingdom of God” is used 68 times throughout the New Testament across 10 different books. In the gospel’s of Mark and Luke, they each give an account of the same events while one uses the “kingdom of God” and the other uses the “kingdom of heaven.”
The “kingdom of God” is used 32 times in the New Testament but only in the gospel of Matthew.
Do They Mean the Same Thing?
It appears they do mean the same. They’re used interchangeably.
How do we know if they mean the same? We have to take a look at the following passage in the gospel of Matthew to make a determination.
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:23-24)
We see Jesus Himself use both of these phrases interchangeably. Thus, helping us determine that they do point to the same place. Perhaps God knew that many would wonder if they meant the same thing. And this is likely why He gave us the passage in this fashion.
What Does It Mean To Be Born Again
(Verses 5-6) In Jesus’ follow up statement He explains again to Nicodemus that in order to enter the kingdom of God you must be “born of water and the spirit.”
There are a few different schools of thought as to what it means to be born of water. Let’s take a look at each of them.
Born of Water (Thought #1)
One thought is “born of water” is referring to physical birth of a baby. A baby grows for nine months in a womb filled with amniotic fluid until the water bursts. Then the baby is born with a gush of water. This thought parallels with what Jesus said in the next verse of this passage.
“Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” (John 3:6)
“Born of water” is flesh giving birth to flesh and “born of the Spirit” is the Spirit giving birth to the Spirit. This thought appears to align with scripture.
Born of Water (Thought #2)
The other thought of “born of water” is the use of water for spiritual cleansing. Throughout the Old Testament, water is used in rituals by the Jews to spiritually cleanse their bodies of fleshly impurities. They also used water in other cleansing rituals to prepare the body. For instance, in preparation for eating they would ritually cleanse themselves.
God even spoke to Ezekiel about a time in the future during the last days when He would pour water on the Jews. God would do this at a time when He would call His people back to Himself.
“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.” (Ezekiel 36:25)
Born of Water (Thought #3)
The third thought on “born of water” is of baptism. I was baptized in the Catholic church. Barely a few weeks old, I had no idea what was happening to me. I most certainly did not know Jesus, nor did I give my life to Christ. It might be a nice symbolic gesture but I was not born again. I did not give my life to Christ. It had no spiritual significance toward my salvation.
How about being baptized as an adult? Many are baptized when they come to faith, give their life to Christ and are born again. But it’s important to remember, baptism is not a requirement of salvation.
The first thought we looked at in physical birth seems to be best align with biblical truth. It aligns with the continuation of what Jesus says in the passage. It’s also the only thought that every person born of a woman must experience.
In essence, no one can come into this world without being born of water through physical birth. No one can leave this world and enter the kingdom on God (kingdom of heaven) unless they’re born of the Spirit.
Next, let’s take a look at what it means to be born of the Spirit.