1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2The same came to him by night, and said to him, "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." 3Jesus answered him, "Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can't see the Kingdom of God." 4Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" 5Jesus answered, "Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can't enter into the Kingdom of God! 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Don't marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born anew.' 8The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don't know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." 9Nicodemus answered him, "How can these things be?" 10Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and don't understand these things? 11Most certainly I tell you, we speak that which we know, and testify of that which we have seen, and you don't receive our witness. 12If I told you earthly things and you don't believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven, but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven. 14As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 17For God didn't send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him. 18He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn't believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. 19This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. 20For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn't come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. 21But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God." 22After these things, Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them, and baptized. 23John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came, and were baptized. 24For John was not yet thrown into prison. 25There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John's disciples with some Jews about purification. 26They came to John, and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, the same baptizes, and everyone is coming to him." 27John answered, "A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given him from heaven. 28You yourselves testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before him.' 29He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. This, my joy, therefore is made full. 30He must increase, but I must decrease. 31He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the Earth belongs to the Earth, and speaks of the Earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32What he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness. 33He who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true. 34For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure. 35The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. 36One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won't see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."
The Gospel according toJohn 3Chapter III 3
· 36 verses · 5 minute read
About this chapter
John 3 — Born Again and John 3:16
John 3 records Jesus's conversation with Nicodemus, a respected Pharisee who sought him out under cover of night. In just a few verses, Jesus introduces a concept that would reshape Christian theology forever: "You must be born again" (gennao anothen—a phrase carrying the double meaning of both "again" and "from above"). Nicodemus takes it literally—"How can a man who is old be born again?" Jesus clarifies: the birth is spiritual, of water and the Spirit. This is no new metaphor; Ezekiel 36:25-27 had already promised a new heart and a new spirit. The chapter contains the most quoted verse in all of Scripture: John 3:16—"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son (monogenes), that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The verb agapao (love as an act of choice) and the word kosmos (the fallen world) reveal the magnitude of divine love—not merely for the righteous, but for the entire world. The chapter closes with John the Baptist making a declaration that defines all Christian ministry: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (3:30). Vocational humility is eternal.
Jerusalem, likely in the first year of Jesus's public ministry. Nicodemus is a member of the Sanhedrin—and his nighttime visit suggests caution: he did not wish to be seen seeking out Jesus.
Read this to grasp the gospel at its heart—and to understand what it truly means to be loved by God.
Key verses in John 3
John 3:16 · Promise · High comfortJohn 3:30John 3:3 · Promise
Explore each verse of John 3
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