John 3 - The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible

3:1 Pharisees. A religious sect among the Jews that had begun in the second century BC. Their great error was to add the authority of man-made tradition to Scripture. Nicodemus. A ruler and prominent teacher among the Jews (v. 10; 7:45–52; 19:38–39).

3:2 by night. Evidently to avoid being seen by other Pharisees. This event appears to have occurred in Jerusalem, and Nicodemus exhibited the kind of miracle-based faith that Jesus has just been depicted as rejecting (2:23–25). Rabbi. Teacher.

3:3 Verily, verily. See note at 1:51. born again. Birth represents the beginning of new life in relationship to the Father who causes the birth (1:13; James 1:17–18; 1 Peter 1:3). Though Nicodemus was highly educated in the Bible, positive toward Jesus, and very religious, he was unable to spiritually perceive the glory and reign of Christ (cannot see the kingdom; vv. 10,19–20) until God changed his heart (2 Cor. 4:4–6).

3:5 born of water. Not baptism but an allusion to Old Testament imagery of the renewing power of the Spirit (Isa. 44:3–5; Ezek. 36:25–27), given through the Mediator, Jesus Christ (v. 34; 1:33; 4:10; 7:37–39; Isa. 32:1–2,15; Titus 3:5–6). cannot enter into the kingdom. It is impossible for people to be converted and saved unless God works a miracle in their souls (6:44,65; Matt. 19:25–26).

3:6 born of the flesh is flesh. Fallen human nature in its sin and misery can only produce more of the same. Salvation requires a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit (6:63), who produces His image (spirit) in sinners by the new birth (1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1,4,18).

3:8 wind. The same Greek word as Spirit, perhaps alluding to Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones (Ezek. 37:9,14). Like the wind, the Holy Spirit is powerful, invisible, and beyond the scope of man’s control or manipulation through ritual or method; He works as He chooses (listeth).

3:10 master of Israel. Teacher of the Jewish people. Jesus’ rebuke implies that His teaching on the new birth is rooted in the Old Testament, and also that Nicodemus’s mind was blind to the truth despite his Pharisaic training in the Scriptures.

3:12 earthly things . . . heavenly things. The new birth is a basic teaching of the faith, a foundation for understanding deeper teachings.

3:13 came down from heaven. The language of God displaying His glory on earth (Ex. 19:11,18,20; 24:16; Neh. 9:13). Son of man. See note at 1:51. which is in heaven. Though in His human nature Christ was on earth, in His divine nature He was present in all places (1:48), including heaven. Christ’s deity and majesty mean that He has infinite authority to speak on all subjects (v. 12).

3:14–15 lifted up the serpent. After Israel’s sins had brought deadly snake bites, God instructed Moses to affix a bronze image of a snake to a pole to heal anyone looking up at it (Num. 21:4–9). This was a type or representation revealing God’s decree that it was necessary (must) for the heavenly King (Son of man; v. 13) to be lifted up on the cross (8:28; 12:32–33) so that all who look upon Him with the spiritual sight of faith will receive eternal life with God.

3:16 For. A further explanation of vv. 14–15. God. The ultimate explanation for anyone’s salvation is the will of the Father (6:38–40; Gal. 1:4–5; Eph. 2:4). so loved. The Son did not win the Father’s love for sinners but came because God loved sinners, indeed loved them so much that he gave the most precious and costly gift imaginable, his only begotten Son (1 John 4:9–10; see note at 1:14). world. A general term for humanity, viewed not as all persons without exception in all places and times (8:26; 12:19; 14:22; 16:20) but as man in his unified rebellion against God (v. 19; 1:9–11; 7:7; 8:23; 14:17,30; 15:18–19; 16:11,20; 17:14,25), making God’s sacrificial love for mankind all the more amazing (Rom. 5:6–8). whosoever believeth. God’s purpose in sending Christ was not to save all persons but to give everlasting life to those whom He would bring to saving faith through the new birth (vv. 3–8). Salvation from eternal ruin ( perish) requires faith in Christ.

3:17–18 not . . . to condemn. Christ’s first coming was not in order to judge or punish but to bring salvation. To reject Christ is to bring God’s judgment upon oneself. He that believeth . . . is not condemned. Sinners are legally justified by the divine Judge through faith alone in Christ (Gal. 2:16).

3:19–20 God loves the world (v. 16), but the world hates Christ (the light; 1:4,9) because of its pride, self-righteousness, and love for sin. Thus God must change the heart before anyone will come to Christ in saving faith (cometh to the light; 6:35). reproved. A legal term implying conviction of wrongdoing.

3:21 wrought in God. Worked by God or through God’s grace. No one comes to Christ apart from a prior work of God in the soul (v. 3; 6:37,44).

3:22 tarried. Remained or stayed for a time. Jesus baptized by means of His disciples (4:2).

3:25 purifying. Purification rights from the Mosaic law. Evidently some were displeased to think that Jesus was becoming more popular than John.

3:26 all men come to him. An example of all meaning many, though not everyone.

3:27 except it be given him. God’s ministers are utterly dependent upon the Lord for the success of their ministry (1 Cor. 3:5–7).

3:29 bridegroom. Christ is the spiritual husband of the true Israel, her covenant Lord (Isa. 54:5; 62:4–5; Mark 2:19–20).

3:31–36 Christ is above all, for His teaching is based on what He has seen and heard as the Son of God in heaven, that is, the everlasting and infallible counsels of Almighty God. Christ has the Holy Spirit dwelling in Him in complete fullness (not . . . by measure). As the Son of God, Jesus is loved by the Father and has had all authority given to Him. To believe in Christ alone for salvation is to be sure of heaven; to reject Christ is to be under the wrath and displeasure of God.

3:33 hath set to his seal. Has certified or given his confirmation by believing.

3:34 giveth not the Spirit by measure. Christ possesses the Holy Spirit without limit to carry out the divine work of the Father (1:32–33; Isa. 11:1–2).

3:36 wrath of God. Many focus on the doctrine of God’s love; however, God also hates sin, and His anger burns with holy hatred against all who are not yet saved by faith in Christ (Ps. 5:4–6; Rom. 1:18; 2:5,8). Therefore, we dare not presume on the love of God to excuse unbelief.

Thoughts for Personal/Family Worship: Chapter 3

1. In the church it is not enough for leaders to be academically well trained, nor for its members to be well taught. Without the new birth men are entirely unfit for the kingdom of God. Through the new birth dead sinners are made alive, and at last they will be raised up from the dead to sit with Him in the glory of heaven. Why is the new birth absolutely necessary for salvation? Are you born again?
2. God’s sending of His Son to save the world from condemnation is the greatest display of love in all of human history. God gave His best, His unique Son who shares His very nature, for those who hate and reject Him. Christ was lifted up on the cross to die so that guilty sinners could live forever in relationship with God. What love is this! Why should His love move sinners to trust in Him?
3. We must resist our ignorant and worldly tendency to boast of one minister above another. The abilities and success of each are gifts from heaven. Like John the Baptist, we should have a low view of ourselves and give our full affection and admiration to the Bridegroom. How wonderful is the marriage of the Lord to His people! How can loving Jesus as our spiritual Husband protect us from exalting mere men?