John 3:8
What does John 3:8 mean?
A plain-English look at John 3:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 3:8 means
Jesus uses the analogy of the wind to illustrate the mysterious yet real nature of spiritual birth. Just as one hears the wind's sound and sees its effects but cannot trace its origin or destination, so too is the work of the Spirit. The Spirit works sovereignly, invisibly, and powerfully, producing spiritual life in those who are "born of the Spirit." This new birth is not something humans can control or fully comprehend, but its effects are evident.
John 3:8 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 wind bloweth where it will, and thou hearest the voice thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The wind bloweth where it will, and thou hearest the voice thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The wind goes where its pleasure takes it, and the sound of it comes to your ears, but you are unable to say where it comes from and where it goes: so it is with everyone whose birth is from the Spirit.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862the Spirit where he willeth doth blow, and his voice thou dost hear, but thou hast not known whence he cometh, and whither he goeth; thus is every one who hath been born of the Spirit.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The Spirit breatheth where he will and thou hearest his voice: but thou knowest not whence he cometh and whither he goeth. So is every one that is born of the Spirit.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The wind blows where it will, and thou hearest its voice, but knowest not whence it comes and where it goes: thus is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Context
Following His instruction not to marvel at spiritual rebirth, Jesus now provides an illustrative analogy to help Nicodemus grasp the concept. This verse compares the mysterious, unseen, yet undeniably effective work of the Spirit to the wind. This comparison helps explain that while the *process* of spiritual birth may be incomprehensible, its *reality* and effects are evident, setting up Nicodemus's further questioning.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 1:13
who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
- Psalms 107:25
For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, Which lifteth up the waves thereof.
- Luke 6:43
For there is no good tree that bringeth forth corrupt fruit; nor again a corrupt tree that bringeth forth good fruit.
- Acts 4:31
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
- Job 37:10
By the breath of God ice is given; And the breadth of the waters is straitened.
- Mark 4:26
And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed upon the earth;
Sermon ideas from John 3:8
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 3:8 teaches us about new birth
What John 3:8 teaches us about the spirit
What John 3:8 teaches us about god's love for the world
What John 3:8 teaches us about faith and life
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