John 3:9
What does John 3:9 mean?
A plain-English look at John 3:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 3:9 means
Nicodemus's persistent question, "How can these things be?" reveals his continuing struggle to reconcile these spiritual truths with his religious understanding and earthly reasoning. Despite Jesus's analogies and explanations, he still grapples with the practical reality and means of such a transformative process. His question demonstrates that even with direct divine instruction, human minds often find it difficult to grasp spiritual realities without further illumination.
John 3:9 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 answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Nicodemus said to him, How is it possible for these things to be?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Nicodemus answered and said to him, `How are these things able to happen?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Nicodemus answered and said to him: How can these things be done?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Nicodemus answered and said to him, How can these things be?
Context
After Jesus uses the wind analogy to explain the mysterious nature of being born of the Spirit, Nicodemus remains perplexed. This verse captures his continued struggle with the spiritual concepts, highlighting his inability to move beyond a literal, earthly understanding. His question once again prompts Jesus to further elaborate, leading Him to question Nicodemus's role as a teacher of Israel.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 42:16
And I will bring the blind by a way that they know not; in paths that they know not will I lead them; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things will I do, and I will not forsake them.
- John 3:4
Nicodemus 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?
- Luke 1:34
And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
- Mark 8:24
And he looked up, and said, I see men; for I behold them as trees, walking.
- John 6:60
Many therefore of his disciples, when they heardthis, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it?
- Proverbs 4:18
But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Sermon ideas from John 3:9
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 3:9 teaches us about new birth
What John 3:9 teaches us about the spirit
What John 3:9 teaches us about god's love for the world
What John 3:9 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.