John 3:1-21 – Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
Quick Summary
In John 3:1-21, Nicodemus, a Pharisee and leader of the Jews, comes to Jesus by night. Jesus tells him that one must be born from above—born of water and Spirit—to see the kingdom of God. Their conversation culminates in the famous declaration of God’s love for the world in John 3:16. This passage highlights new birth, the Spirit’s work, and God’s saving mission in Christ.
Introduction
The encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus is one of the most well-known stories in John’s Gospel. Following the note that Jesus knows what is in the human heart (John 2:23-25), Nicodemus arrives as a case study in seeking faith. He comes with questions and assumptions, but Jesus pushes him toward deeper realities.
This passage is central for understanding John’s theology: the necessity of new birth, the role of the Spirit, the lifting up of the Son, and the expansive love of God for the world. It also shows the contrast between darkness and light, a theme woven throughout the Gospel (John 1:5). Let’s walk through this passage verse by verse.
John 3:1-2
“Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by 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 do apart from the presence of God.’” (John 3:1-2)
Nicodemus is introduced as both a Pharisee and a member of the ruling council. His credentials are impressive, but he comes by night—suggesting secrecy, hesitation, or perhaps spiritual darkness. I, personally, take the view that the study was done at night. He has been studying the Scriptures, has read a passage, and wants to know the answer. John often uses time markers symbolically, and night reflects Nicodemus’s incomplete understanding.
Nicodemus begins respectfully, calling Jesus “Rabbi” and acknowledging his signs. Yet his words reveal assumptions: that signs prove divine backing, and that Jesus is merely a teacher. Like those in John 2:23, Nicodemus’s faith is based on signs, but Jesus will lead him further.
John 3:3
“Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’” (John 3:3)
Jesus redirects Nicodemus from signs to new birth. The Greek word anōthen can mean “from above” or “again,” and Nicodemus will misunderstand it as a second physical birth. Jesus, however, speaks of birth from above—birth by God’s Spirit.
To “see the kingdom of God” requires transformation, not credentials. This echoes John’s emphasis on new creation through the Word (John 1:12-13).
John 3:4
“Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’” (John 3:4)
Nicodemus takes Jesus literally, showing his confusion. His question underscores the impossibility of self-generated spiritual life. Human effort cannot bring about the new birth. This misunderstanding sets up Jesus’ teaching about the Spirit’s role.
John 3:5-6
“Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.’” (John 3:5-6)
Here Jesus expands the teaching: new birth involves both water and Spirit. Some connect “water” with baptism, others with cleansing imagery from Ezekiel (Ezekiel 36:25-27). Either way, it points to God’s initiative in renewal.
The contrast between flesh and Spirit reinforces that natural birth and human effort cannot achieve what only God can. Entry into God’s kingdom requires divine transformation.
John 3:7-8
“Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:7-8)
Jesus uses the image of the wind (same word as “Spirit” in Greek, pneuma). The Spirit is free and sovereign, not controlled by human hands. Just as the wind is unseen but powerful, so is the Spirit’s work in new birth.
This highlights the mystery of salvation. New life cannot be engineered or predicted; it is the gift of God’s Spirit.
John 3:9-10
“Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?’” (John 3:9-10)
Nicodemus’s bewilderment shows the limits of religious knowledge without spiritual insight. Jesus challenges him: as a teacher of Israel, he should recognize these truths from the Scriptures (e.g., Ezekiel’s promise of new Spirit-given life).
This exchange underscores that new birth is not just a Christian novelty but rooted in God’s promises to Israel.
John 3:11-12
“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?”(John 3:11-12)
Jesus contrasts testimony with Nicodemus’s lack of reception. Earthly things—birth, wind—already stretch Nicodemus’s understanding. How much more heavenly realities? This anticipates the theme of witness throughout John’s Gospel, where testimony calls for response (John 5:31-40).
John 3:13-15
“No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”(John 3:13-15)
Here Jesus points to his unique authority as the one who has come from heaven. The reference to the bronze serpent in Numbers 21:9 recalls how looking upon the lifted serpent brought life to the Israelites. In the same way, Jesus will be lifted up on the cross, bringing eternal life to those who believe.
This anticipates the theme of the cross as exaltation—a paradox where suffering becomes glory. It also connects to Revelation’s vision of the slain yet victorious Lamb.
John 3:16-17
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17)
These verses declare the heart of the Gospel. God’s love is expansive, directed toward the whole world, not just Israel. The gift of the Son reveals God’s desire for life, not condemnation.
This verse connects to John’s broader themes: light shining in darkness (John 1:5), bread for the life of the world (John 6:35), and eternal life as knowing God through Jesus. It also echoes Revelation’s vision of a new heaven and new earthwhere God’s saving purposes are fulfilled.
John 3:18
“Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:18)
Belief brings life; unbelief leaves people in condemnation. The judgment is not arbitrary but rooted in response to Jesus. The line is drawn by one’s relationship to the Son.
This stark division reflects John’s dualism: light versus darkness, truth versus lies (John 8:12).
John 3:19-21
“And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” (John 3:19-21)
These verses return to the imagery of light and darkness introduced in John 1. The coming of Jesus is the decisive moment of judgment—not because he condemns, but because people reveal themselves by their response to him.
Those who love darkness avoid exposure; those who love truth step into the light. This is both warning and invitation. Revelation envisions the fulfillment of this when the New Jerusalem shines with God’s light), where there is no night at all.
John 3:1-21 Meaning for Today
Nicodemus’s story reminds us that knowledge and credentials are not enough; we need new birth by God’s Spirit. Faith is not about mastering information but receiving transformation.
John 3:16 remains a summary of the Gospel’s heart: God loves the world, gives his Son, and invites us into eternal life. But the passage also challenges us. Do we come to the light, or do we cling to the shadows? Our deeds reveal where our trust lies.
Finally, this passage gives us hope. The Spirit still blows where it wills, surprising us with grace. New birth is possible, even for the cautious seeker who comes by night.
FAQ: John 3:1-21
Why does Nicodemus come at night?
John likely intends symbolism: night represents secrecy, hesitation, or spiritual darkness. Nicodemus begins in the dark but will reappear later moving toward the light.
What does it mean to be “born of water and Spirit”?
It points to God’s work of renewal, echoing Ezekiel 36:25-27. Some see baptism imagery, but the focus is on the Spirit’s transforming work.
Why does Jesus reference the serpent in the wilderness?
It foreshadows his crucifixion. Just as looking at the bronze serpent brought life, looking in faith to the crucified Christ brings eternal life.
Is John 3:16 about God’s love for everyone?
Yes, the verse emphasizes the world (kosmos), showing that God’s love and salvation extend beyond Israel to all people.
How does this passage connect to John’s theme of light and darkness?
Nicodemus begins in darkness, but Jesus calls him toward the light. The imagery reinforces the choice each person faces when confronted with Jesus.
Sources / Further Reading
Raymond E. Brown, John (Anchor Yale Bible), John 3
D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John (PNTC), John 3
Gail R. O’Day, John (New Interpreter’s Bible), John 3
Craig S. Keener, The Gospel of John, John 3
Andreas J. Köstenberger, John (BECNT), John 3
