John: From Above

John 3:1-15

In the 1970s, President Jimmy Carter claimed to be a born-again Christian, and the news spread quickly. Many people began using the term “born again” to show they were genuine followers of Christ rather than just Christians in name only. 

A few years after Carter’s presidency, Lori and I were in Scotland, where I was completing an internship at a church outside of Aberdeen. While there, I talked with a local—a Scottish man—who asked me, “Are you a born-again Christian?” Before I could answer, he said, “That’s the phrase Jimmy Carter made up.” 

“Born again.” What does it mean? Where did it originate? Spoiler alert: Jimmy Carter didn’t invent the phrase!

In John 3, we meet a man named Nicodemus who was highly educated and well-credentialed. He was one of the Pharisees, a strict religious and political group that carefully followed the Old Testament laws. The name Pharisee means “separated ones.” Nicodemus also served on the Jewish ruling council, called the Sanhedrin, an elite group of seventy men responsible for making religious and civil decisions under Roman rule. 

John points out that Nicodemus visited Jesus at night, drawing attention to the timing. Nicodemus might have wanted to avoid being seen by others. Perhaps the crowds around Jesus during the day made private conversations impossible. The key is that this Pharisee sought Jesus out. No matter what time of day you come to Jesus, it is always the right time. 

Nicodemus began the conversation with this statement: “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” (John 3:2). While the Pharisees did not recognize Jesus as the Son of God, Nicodemus acknowledged that Jesus had God's authority to perform the miraculous signs. No doubt, he had more to say, but Jesus quickly steered the conversation to the main point. 

John 3:3
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

The phrase “born again” is a translation of the Greek word anothen. It can be translated as “born again” but a better translation is “from above” (see John 19:11). Being born from above signifies a spiritual transformation that moves a person from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light (Col. 1:13). It appears that John intentionally uses a word with two meanings (double entendre). Both are true in the context of spiritual transformation.[1] When we trust in Jesus, we are spiritually reborn, and that rebirth is from above. 

Nicodemus didn’t understand. He asked, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” The way the question was asked in Greek was intended to elicit a negative answer. Nicodemus is showing his confusion. Here’s how Jesus replied:

John 3:5-8
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’  The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 

What does Jesus mean when he says that we must be born “of water and the Spirit”? While commentators interpret this in different ways, I believe Jesus is referring to the repentance associated with John the Baptist’s baptism. John told people to “repent” because the kingdom of heaven was approaching in the Person of Jesus. The purpose of John’s baptism was for people to turn away from their sins and prepare for Jesus.[2]  To be clear, baptism is not required for salvation. Today, baptism usually happens after someone becomes a believer. 

What does it mean to “repent?”

To repent means that you are walking in one direction and then turn around to walk in the opposite direction. Spiritual repentance, therefore, is ceasing to trust in yourself for salvation and instead relying entirely on Jesus. All of this happens through the powerful work of the Spirit. Humanity cannot control the Spirit’s work any more than we can control the wind. 

I believe Jesus is referring to Spirit-initiated repentance. We can’t change ourselves, for “that which is born of the flesh is flesh.” But God’s Spirit works within us to awaken our spiritually dead hearts and transfer us into the kingdom of God. 

Nicodemus still didn’t get it. He asked, “How can these things be?” (John 3:9)

John 3:10-15
Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And 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.” 

Don’t be too hard on Nicodemus. He's trying to understand this. Remember, the disciples spent a lot of time with Jesus, but they didn’t always fully grasp the profound truths he taught them. Jesus reminds Nicodemus, a teacher of the Law and the Old Testament, of a story he would have been familiar with. 

In Numbers 21, Moses lifted a bronze snake on a pole. Those who looked at the snake were saved from the punishment of disobedience. Similarly, Jesus would be lifted up on a cross to die for people’s sins. When we look upon him—that is when we trust in him—he transfers us from the path that leads to death to the path that leads to eternal life. 

God continued to work in Nicodemus’ life. We’ll catch up with him later in our study. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD 
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on our passage: John 3:1-15.

Talking to God:  Thank God for the time when he opened your eyes and your heart to stop trusting in yourself and trust in the finished work of Jesus.  

Have Questions?
Please send your questions to our team. We are happy to help as we study God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we will respond shortly. Let us know if you’d like to learn more about a relationship with Jesus or if you need spiritual guidance.

Know Jesus more intimately.
Love Jesus more passionately.
Follow Jesus wholeheartedly.