John 3 – Born Again, Eternal Life, and the Love of God
John 3 contains one of the most well-known verses in Scripture—but the entire chapter is rich with truth. From a late-night conversation to a declaration of divine love, Jesus reveals the mystery of rebirth and the reason for the cross.
New Birth and Divine Love
Jesus introduces the idea of spiritual rebirth, confronts religious assumptions, and declares that salvation is through faith in the Son.
✔ Nicodemus, a religious leader, seeks Jesus by night.
✔ Jesus teaches about being born again of water and the Spirit.
✔ The Son of Man must be lifted up like the serpent in the wilderness.
✔ God’s love is the foundation of salvation.
✔ Condemnation is due to unbelief and love of darkness.
✔ John the Baptist confirms Jesus’ supremacy.
📖 John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
🔎 The Gospel rests not in obligation—but in overwhelming love.
John Chapter 3 - Overview
John 3:1–8 – Born Again
📖 John 3:3 – “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
🔎 Rebirth is not improvement—but transformation. It’s not about better behavior, but new life from above. This rebirth is a divine intervention, not a human achievement.
📖 John 3:5 – “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
🔎 Water signifies cleansing (baptism), and the Spirit signifies new creation. Salvation is supernatural. This mirrors Ezekiel 36:25–27, where God promises to cleanse and give a new heart and Spirit. Baptism alone is not enough—it must be paired with the Spirit’s renewing work.
📖 John 3:6 – “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
🔎 Jesus draws a firm line—physical birth brings physical life, but only the Spirit can birth spiritual life. Salvation cannot be inherited or earned. Religion, tradition, or good works do not qualify anyone for the kingdom—only rebirth through the Spirit.
📖 John 3:7 – “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
🔎 Nicodemus, though religious and learned, needed new birth. No level of knowledge or status replaces regeneration. The fact that Jesus says “you must” reveals its absolute necessity. It applies to all, not just the obviously sinful.
📖 John 3:8 – “The wind bloweth where it listeth… so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
🔎 The wind and Spirit are both invisible yet powerful. You may not see how God works, but the results—changed lives—are clear. The Spirit’s movement is sovereign, unpredictable, and life-giving. True conversion is evidenced by spiritual fruit, not ritual.
➡️ To enter God’s kingdom, you must be made new—born from above. This is not optional; it is the foundation of eternal life.
John 3:9–21 – Lifted Up and Loved
📖 John 3:14–15 – “As Moses lifted up the serpent… even so must the Son of man be lifted up.”
🔎 A reference to Numbers 21—healing came by looking in faith. Jesus becomes the cure by becoming the curse.
📖 John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…”
🔎 The most quoted verse reveals the greatest truth—God’s love gives, saves, and invites.
📖 John 3:19–20 – “Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light…”
🔎 The problem is not availability of truth—but the preference of sin. Light exposes, and that’s uncomfortable.
➡️ Salvation is offered to all—but only received by those who step into the light.
John 3:22–36 – He Must Increase
📖 John 3:27 – “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.”
🔎 John the Baptist knows his role—he is the friend of the bridegroom, not the bridegroom himself.
📖 John 3:30 – “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
🔎 True discipleship means letting Christ rise above our ego, titles, or recognition.
📖 John 3:36 – “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life… he that believeth not… the wrath of God abideth on him.”
🔎 The choice is clear—life or wrath, belief or rejection. Neutrality is not an option.
➡️ Our joy is in pointing others to Christ, not ourselves.
John Chapter 3 - Deeper Study
Overview: Birth, Belief, and the Beloved Son
🔹 Timeframe: Early in Jesus’ ministry.
🔹 Setting: A night conversation and Judean countryside.
🔹 Theme: New birth, divine love, and true belief.
🔹 Connection to Future Events: Jesus’ lifting up foreshadows the crucifixion and resurrection.
Key Takeaways
🔑 Being born again is essential—not optional—for salvation.
🔑 The cross is foreshadowed through Old Testament symbols.
🔑 God’s love is active, sacrificial, and inclusive.
🔑 Light reveals; darkness resists.
🔑 Jesus must increase in every true believer’s life.
Prophetic Patterns & Dual Fulfillment
🔮 Numbers 21:9 – The bronze serpent lifted up.
🔮 Isaiah 53 – The Suffering Servant lifted up for our sins.
🔮 Ezekiel 36:26 – A new heart and Spirit.
🔮 Malachi 3:1 – The forerunner prepares the way.
Historical & Cultural Context
📜 Pharisees like Nicodemus were respected, educated, and devout—but still in need of spiritual rebirth.
📜 The concept of a suffering Messiah was not expected in Jewish tradition.
📜 The imagery of the bronze serpent was well-known among Jews.
📜 Baptism was a public symbol of repentance and renewal.
💡 Final Reflection: Are You Born Again?
📌 Have you been born of the Spirit—or are you still trusting in religion?
📌 Do you believe in the Son who was lifted up for you?
📌 Are you walking in the light—or hiding in darkness?
📖 John 3:36 – “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.”
🔥 New life begins where the old one ends—in the arms of Jesus Christ.
You Must Be Born Again
Joh 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
Joh 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Joh 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
Joh 3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
Joh 3:11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
Joh 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
Joh 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
For God So Loved the World
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Joh 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
John the Baptist Exalts Christ
Joh 3:22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
Joh 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
Joh 3:24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
Joh 3:25 Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
Joh 3:26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
Joh 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Joh 3:28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
Joh 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
Joh 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Joh 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
Joh 3:32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
Joh 3:33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
Joh 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
Joh 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Date Written
Around 85–95 AD
Written By
John the Apostle
Language
Greek
Verses
36