John 3:4
What does John 3:4 mean?
A plain-English look at John 3:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 3:4 means
Nicodemus's bewildered response reveals his literal interpretation of Jesus's words. He struggles to grasp the concept of being "born anew" in any way other than a physical re-entry into the womb. This highlights the chasm between human, earthly understanding and the spiritual realities Jesus is presenting. His question underscores the common human difficulty in comprehending truths that transcend the physical realm, even for a highly educated religious leader.
John 3:4 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 · 2000Nicodemus saith unto 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?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Nicodemus 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?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Nicodemus saith unto 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?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Nicodemus said to him, How is it possible for a man to be given birth when he is old? Is he able to go into his mother's body a second time and come to birth again?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Nicodemus saith unto him, `How is a man able to be born, being old? is he able into the womb of his mother a second time to enter, and to be born?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Nicodemus saith 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 again?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Nicodemus says to him, How can a man be born being old? can he enter a second time into the womb of his mother and be born?
Context
Having heard Jesus's declaration about being "born anew," Nicodemus reacts with confusion, demonstrating his initial inability to comprehend spiritual truths. This verse shows his literal, naturalistic interpretation of Jesus's words. His question serves to prompt Jesus to clarify the nature of this spiritual birth, leading to a deeper explanation of the Spirit's work in the subsequent verses of their dialogue.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 2:14
Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.
- John 6:53
Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have not life in yourselves.
- 1 Corinthians 1:18
For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.
- John 4:11
The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: whence then hast thou that living water?
- John 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
- John 6:60
Many therefore of his disciples, when they heardthis, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it?
Sermon ideas from John 3:4
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 3:4 teaches us about new birth
What John 3:4 teaches us about the spirit
What John 3:4 teaches us about god's love for the world
What John 3:4 teaches us about faith and life
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