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John 1:13
ESV who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
NIV children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
NASB who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God.
CSB who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
NLT They are reborn — not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
KJV Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
NKJV who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

What does John 1:13 mean?

This is John's first mention of being "born" into the kingdom of God. The term "born again" has become a cliché, and many people misunderstand it. The term is important because of what it implies.

When a child is born, virtually all effort, energy, and pain is endured by the mother, not the child. She changes very little. And yet, the child experiences a great deal of change. Salvation is much the same: God's pain and effort result in our benefit. He, of course, does not change at all in the process; but those who are saved change greatly. Saying that this does not occur "of blood" means it is not a natural occurrence. Saying that it is not "of the will of the flesh" means it is not a matter of human decisions. This rebirth is entirely the work of God, and according to His will (Ephesians 1:5). Our salvation is not dependent on anything in our human nature. This is good, because if it were, we'd all be lost forever (Titus 3:4–5)!

Jesus will clarify this concept during His conversation with Nicodemus, in John chapter 3.
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What is the Gospel?
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