John 3:3

³In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again [or born from above]."

“I tell you the truth” is designed to get Nicodemus’ attention, to get him to focus. Get serious! Jesus is plowing the soil of Nicodemus’ heart with these words, so that He can plant a seed. Nicodemus may have come with sincere interest in Jesus, but it appears that he wanted to chit-chat. Jesus wants none of that. Every word He speaks has an intense, focused purpose.

“No one can” speaks of the inability of mankind. This is not just about Nicodemus. See John 6:44,65.

“No one can see” speaks of spiritual blindness, which is a characteristic of all mankind until sight is granted by God (Exodus 4:11; Psalm 119:18; 146:8; Proverbs 20:12; 28:11; 29:13; Isaiah 29:10; Luke 10:22-24; John 9:39-41; John 12:40).

“See the kingdom of God” and “enter the kingdom of God” (v5) are synonymous, parallel, and equivalent.

“The kingdom of God” – Several definitions are suggested. Last week: (the eternal peace and prosperity of God’s rest).

• Nicodemus would have understood this phrase as “the Messianic age.” And that fits with “see” and “enter.”
• Consider it to mean, “The glory and supremacy of Jesus Christ in eternal fullness,” and equate it with salvation.
• “Unless he is born again” – “Born again” is clearly important. Remember that John is fond of multiple meanings. Consider 3 options:
  • In the Greek, “born again” can mean born “from the first” or “from the beginning” Luke 1:3; Acts 26:5. Not likely here.
  • It can mean “born again,” which is clearly how Nicodemus perceives it. Galatians 4:9; 1 Peter 1:3; Matthew 18:3. Likely.
  • It can mean “born from above,” which is also likely. Check your footnotes. John 1:12-13; 3:31; 1 John 5:1. Likely.
    • The last two are likely both intended. Only argument against “born from above” is that Jesus and Nicodemus were likely speaking in Hebrew, and the text of John is written in Greek. Thus, what Nicodemus perceived is what was meant.

Jesus says, “No one can see (or enter) the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” This would have been shocking and offensive to Nicodemus. Picture Jesus saying, “I don’t care that you call Me ‘Teacher from God,’ because true spiritual understanding begins with regeneration. You must become a new man.” Jesus is saying that Nicodemus is not yet born again. He has no understanding. He can’t see or participate in the truth as he stands.

• This, as we’ll see, is the most important of spiritual truths. Why must we be born again? V6… Spiritual birth, like physical birth, is not dependent on human decision (1 Corinthians 2:14; John 1:12-13; Romans 8:7; 9:16). Be humbled by this saving grace!