John 3:2
What does John 3:2 mean?
A plain-English look at John 3:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 3:2 means
Nicodemus acknowledges Jesus's divine origin, stating that no one could perform such signs unless God were with him. He recognizes Jesus as a "teacher come from God," indicating an intellectual assent to Jesus's miraculous power. However, his understanding is still primarily centered on outward demonstrations rather than the deeper spiritual truth Jesus is about to reveal. His opening statement is a polite, respectful, and yet somewhat superficial recognition of Jesus's authority, based on observable miracles.
John 3:2 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 · 2000the same came unto him by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that thou doest, except God be with him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901the same came unto him by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that thou doest, except God be with him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He came to Jesus by night and said to him, Rabbi, we are certain that you have come from God as a teacher, because no man would be able to do these signs which you do if God was not with him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862this one came unto him by night, and said to him, `Rabbi, we have known that from God thou hast come--a teacher, for no one these signs is able to do that thou dost, if God may not be with him.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752This man came to Jesus by night and said to him: Rabbi, we know that thou art come a teacher from God; for no man can do these signs which thou dost, unless God be with him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890he came to him by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that thou art come a teacher fromGod, for none can do these signs that thou doest unlessGod be with him.
Context
Following his introduction, Nicodemus directly approaches Jesus under the cover of night. This verse captures his initial, honorific address to Jesus, based on the miraculous signs Jesus had performed. This respectful but limited understanding sets up Jesus's immediate and profound redirection of the conversation, moving from outward signs to an inward spiritual necessity, which is explored in the subsequent verses.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 11:47
The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many signs.
- John 20:16
Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turneth herself, and saith unto him in Hebrew, Rabboni; which is to say, Teacher.
- Matthew 22:16
And they send to him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, and carest not for any one: for thou regardest not the person of men.
- John 7:31
But of the multitude many believed on him; and they said, When the Christ shall come, will he do more signs than those which this man hath done?
- Acts 4:16
saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been wrought through them, is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
- John 19:38
And after these things Joseph of Arimathæa, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took away his body.
Sermon ideas from John 3:2
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 3:2 teaches us about new birth
What John 3:2 teaches us about the spirit
What John 3:2 teaches us about god's love for the world
What John 3:2 teaches us about faith and life
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