John 3:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

NIV: Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

NASB: That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit.

CSB: Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit.

NLT: Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.

KJV: That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

NKJV: That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

The Bible often describes our human nature using the term "flesh." The Greek term is sarx, frequently used as a reference to the sin-prone condition of human beings. It's a poetic reference to our weakness, and our hostility towards God. This is the exact opposite of the Spirit which is from God (Philippians 3:3; John 1:33). This is the reason that a rebirth is necessary.

The phrase "born again" has become a cliché in western culture. It means little to most people. However, the difference between the flesh and the Spirit is why rebirth is necessary. Those who are part of "the flesh" are incapable of loving, obeying, or knowing God. A sinful human nature makes this impossible. To be united with God, a person must have their nature changed. This cannot happen through normal means. It requires that a person be "born again," this time in the Spirit of God.

John 2:24—3:15 describes a meeting between Jesus and a Pharisee. The last two verses of chapter two highlight the fact that Jesus knew men better than they knew themselves. Nicodemus was the ancient equivalent of a politician, cleric, and professor all rolled into one. Jesus proves that this man doesn't understand religion as well as he'd like to think. In contrast to the loud, public spectacle of clearing the temple, this encounter is a private, nighttime meeting. Their actual conversation was probably longer than the summary recorded here.

John chapter 3 is one of the most important passages in the entire gospel. Many crucial ideas are explained here, including the role of Jesus as Savior. After the loud, public commotion at the temple, John transitions to a quiet, nighttime discussion. The speakers are Jesus and a Pharisee, Nicodemus, who is sincerely interested in understanding Jesus' ministry. These verses make it clear that Christ—and Christ alone—is the means of salvation for the entire world. This text also states that those who reject Jesus are rejecting God.

The gospel of John intends to prove that Jesus is God. Chapter 3 contains some of the most direct, most important concepts in Christianity. The ideas of spiritual rebirth and the necessity of belief in Christ are reinforced by the rest of the information in this gospel. John continues to use contrast, moving from the loud and public temple cleansing to the quiet of this conversation. After Jesus injects humility into a powerful leader, chapter 4 will transition again, as Jesus gives dignity to an outcast stranger.

The disciple John wrote the gospel of John decades after the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls "signs"— to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.

Accessed 5/18/2024 9:32:29 PM