STUDY STORAGE
John 3.1-21
The Encounter Between Jesus and Nicodemus
In John 3:1-21, the Apostle John describes a nighttime encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews. During this conversation, several critical issues are discussed. Jesus tells Nicodemus about the necessity of being born again to see the kingdom of God, which confuses Nicodemus as he ponders how one can be born when old or re-enter their mother's womb. Jesus clarifies the necessity of being born of both water and the Spirit (note the capitalization of "Spirit"), enlightening Nicodemus further in verses 6 and 7. If you look to the end of verse 8, before you start to read it, you will see what it is describing as you understand the description (those born of the Spirit). In verses 9-10, Jesus' purposeful patience is evident as He teaches Nicodemus. This would have been intentional if Nicodemus was one who Jesus foreknew to have been drawn to Him by the Father. This lesson continues with great clarity throughout the next eleven verses (11-21). Jesus ties the Old Testament image from Numbers 21:9 to the fulfillment of this prophecy in His coming death on the cross in verses 14-15. Verses 16-17 explain the reason for His mission, while verse 18 lays down the justification for the condemnation of unbelievers, which is further detailed in verse 19. Verses 20-21 serve as a two-verse altar call, likely piercing Nicodemus' heart and leading him to salvation. Although the conversation's conclusion is not recorded, John 7:45-52 and 19:38-42 suggest that Nicodemus became a follower of Jesus Christ. Check out this outline:
vv 1-2: Nicodemus Approaches Jesus: Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night, perhaps to avoid being seen by others or to have a private and uninterrupted discussion. He acknowledges Jesus as a teacher sent from God, recognizing the miracles as evidence of divine presence.
vv 3-4: The Concept of Being Born Again: Jesus introduces the necessity of being born again to see the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus, puzzled, asks how a man can be born when he is old, questioning the physical impossibility of re-entering a mother's womb. This literal understanding sets the stage for a deeper spiritual revelation.
vv 5-8: Born of Water and Spirit: Jesus clarifies that one must be born of both water and the Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God. He emphasizes the distinction between the physical birth and the spiritual rebirth. Verses 6 and 7 highlight the significance of this spiritual transformation. Verse 8, when read with the understanding that it describes one born of the (Holy) Spirit, becomes clearer in its meaning.
v 9-10: Nicodemus' Continued Confusion: Nicodemus remains confused, and Jesus demonstrates patience, understanding that Nicodemus is drawn by the Father. This patience sets the stage for the ensuing lesson.
vv 11-13: You See Yet Don’t Believe: Jesus testifies of what is seen, yet not believed, emphasizing the truth He brings. These three verses should be read together to grasp the full context of Jesus' divine authority and the heavenly knowledge He imparts.
v 14-15: The Serpent in the Wilderness: Jesus draws a parallel to the Old Testament, referencing Numbers 21:9, where Moses lifted the bronze serpent. This imagery foreshadows Jesus' own crucifixion, highlighting the fulfillment of prophecy through His coming death on the cross. “And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it happened, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.” (Nu 21:9).
vv 16-17: The Purpose of Jesus' Mission: These well-known verses illuminate the reason for Jesus' sacrificial mission. John 3:16, often considered the heart of the Gospel, explains God's love for the world and the promise of eternal life through belief in Jesus, Who came not to condemn the world but to save it.
v 18: The Basis for Condemnation: Verse 18 lays out the clear justification for the condemnation of those who do not believe in Jesus. It underscores the importance of faith and the consequences of unbelief.
v 19: The Verdict on Light and Darkness: Jesus elaborates on the reason for condemnation in verse 19, stating that light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. This verse highlights the moral and spiritual struggle inherent in accepting or rejecting Jesus.
vv 20-21: The Call to Salvation: The final two verses of this section serve as an altar call, revealing the distinction between those who practice evil and those who live by the truth. Jesus' words likely pierced Nicodemus' heart, leading him towards salvation. Although the immediate outcome of this conversation is not recorded, subsequent passages in John 7:45-52 and 19:38-42 suggest that Nicodemus became a follower of Jesus Christ.
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;
2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 Nicodemus 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?”
5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 “That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
8 “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear its sound, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who has been born of the Spirit.”
9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”
10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?
11 “Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and bear witness of what we have seen, and you do not accept our witness.
12 “If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
13 “And no one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.
14 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up;
15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
17 “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
18 “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 “And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.
20 “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light lest his deeds be exposed.
21 “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been done by God.”