John 3:10
What does John 3:10 mean?
A plain-English look at John 3:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 3:10 means
Jesus gently rebukes Nicodemus by pointing out his position as "the teacher of Israel" and his lack of understanding concerning these fundamental spiritual truths. As a learned religious leader, Nicodemus should have been familiar with Old Testament scriptures that alluded to spiritual regeneration (e.g., Ezekiel 36:26-27). This question highlights that profound knowledge of Scripture does not automatically equate to spiritual discernment or an understanding of God's ways.
John 3:10 in context
John 3 — You Must Be Born Again
By night a Pharisee named Nicodemus comes to Jesus, half-confessing him as a teacher sent from God. Jesus cuts past the compliment: 'except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' Religion will not do; reformation will not do; only a new birth by water and the Spirit. The chapter rises to the most-quoted verse in the Bible — 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son' — and ends with John the Baptist's last public testimony: 'He must increase, but I must decrease.'
- New birth
- The Spirit
- God's love for the world
- Faith and life
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou the teacher of Israel, and understandest not these things?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou the teacher of Israel, and understandest not these things?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Jesus, answering, said, Are you the teacher of Israel and have no knowledge of these things?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus answered and said to him, `Thou art the teacher of Israel--and these things thou dost not know!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jesus answered and said to him: Art thou a master in Israel, and knowest not these things?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus answered and said to him, Thou art the teacher of Israel and knowest not these things!
Context
In response to Nicodemus’s continued bewilderment, Jesus shifts from explanation to a gentle challenge, calling attention to Nicodemus's role as "the teacher of Israel." This verse highlights the irony that a religious expert struggles with foundational spiritual concepts. This sets the stage for Jesus to emphasize His own unique authority and firsthand knowledge of heavenly things, moving the conversation to a deeper level of divine revelation.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 9:16
For they that lead this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.
- Jeremiah 31:33
But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Jehovah: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
- Psalms 51:6
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; And in the hidden part thou wilt make me to know wisdom.
- Deuteronomy 30:6
And Jehovah thy God will circumcise thy heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
- Isaiah 11:6
And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
- Matthew 11:25
At that season Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes:
Sermon ideas from John 3:10
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 3:10 teaches us about new birth
What John 3:10 teaches us about the spirit
What John 3:10 teaches us about god's love for the world
What John 3:10 teaches us about faith and life
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore John 3
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on John 3.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Being Born Again
Being born again refers to a spiritual rebirth, a transformative process initiated by God and experienced through faith in Jesus Christ.
Topic
Bible Verses About Eternal Life
Eternal life, a gift from God, is knowing Him and Jesus Christ, and living forever in His presence.
Topic
Bible Verses About the Love of God
Exploring God's boundless love for humanity, a central theme woven throughout all of Scripture, offering comfort and hope.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Losing a Loved One
When you can't stop imagining the worst — verses to put your loved one back in God's hands.
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Death
When you're afraid to die — what scripture promises about the last enemy.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Grief After Losing Someone You Love
When the room is empty — verses that grieve with you, not around you.