John Chapter 3

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John 3:1-2 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 The same came to him by night, and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him."

• It is interesting that Nicodemus realized that Jesus came from God. Jesus said, in John 16:27-28 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. 28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
  • Notice the order/sequence: Jesus "came out from God", then "came forth from the Father" and then He came "into the world". This sequence often goes unnoticed.
• John 5:36 But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John, for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me.

John 3:3 Jesus answered him, "Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is born anew,{The word translated “anew” here and in John 3:7 (an'-o-then) also means “again” and “from above”.} he can't see the Kingdom of God."

• 1 Peter 1:22-23 Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently: 23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and remains forever.

John 3:4 Nicodemus said 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?"

• 1 Corinthians 2:14 Now the natural man doesn't receive the things of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can't know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit,{pnyoo'-mah} he can't enter into the Kingdom of God!

• Mark 1:9 It happened in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John [the baptist] in the Jordan. 10 Immediately coming up from the water, he saw the heavens parting, and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 A voice came out of the sky, "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
• John 3:34 For he[Christ] whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure. (John the Baptist)
• Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized[in water], every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
• Ephesians 5:26 that he[Christ] might sanctify it, having cleansed it[believers] by the washing of water with the word,

John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit{pnyoo'-mah} is spirit.{pnyoo'-mah} 7 Don't marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.'

• Galatians 5:16-18 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won't fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
  • Why are you "not under the law"? The law convicts of sin. But, if we allow God to lead us by His Spirit - His prompting, His leading, we will not be sinning. Therefore, we will not be "under" the condemnation/conviction of "the law."
• Why/how must we be "born anew"? => So that we, like Paul are "crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20) "that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit; and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth." (Ephesians 4:22-24)

John 3:8 The wind{The same Greek word (pnyoo'-mah) means wind, breath, and spirit.} blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don't know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."{pnyoo'-mah}

• 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 But to us, God revealed them("Things which an eye didn't see, and an ear didn't hear" -vs 9) through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God, except God's Spirit. 12 But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God.
• John 6:63 It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.

John 3:9 Nicodemus answered him, "How can these things be?"

John 3:10-12 Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and don't understand these things? 11 Most certainly I tell you, we speak that which we know, and testify of that which we have seen, and you don't receive our witness. 12 If I told you earthly things and you don't believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

• John 12:47-50 If anyone listens to my sayings, and doesn't believe, I don't judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects me, and doesn't receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the last day. For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak."

John 3:13 No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven.

• Proverbs 30:4 Who has ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in his garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if you know?

John 3:14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

• John 8:28 Jesus therefore said to them, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing of myself, but as my Father taught me, I say these things.

John 3:15 that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

• John 6:40 This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
• 1 John 5:12 He who has the Son has the life. He who doesn’t have God’s Son doesn’t have the life.

John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God didn't send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him. 18 He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only born Son of God.

• John 12:48 ... the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

John 3:19-21 This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn't come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God."

• John 1:4-5 In him[Christ, "the Word"] was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
• John 12:36 While ye have the light, believe on the light, that ye may become sons of light.

John 3:22 After these things, Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them, and baptized.

• Clarification from John about Jesus baptizing => John 4:1-3 ... Jesus himself didn't baptize, but his disciples...

John 3:23 John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came, and were baptized.

• Regarding "there was much water there", this is a strong indication that baptism was by immersion, because "much water" is not required to be able to sprinkle it on people. Also, the Greek word translated to the English word "baptize" is "bap-tid'-zo", which Strong's Concordance defines as " to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet)".

John 3:24-26 For John was not yet thrown into prison. 25 There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John's disciples with some Jews about purification. 26 They came to John, and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan[Jesus], to whom you have testified, behold, the same baptizes, and everyone is coming to him."

• It seems that the disciples of John the Baptist were jealous because many were coming to Jesus and His disciples to be baptized.

John 3:27-29 John answered, "A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,' but, ‘I have been sent before him.' (John1:29-37) 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. This, my joy, therefore is made full.

• In other words, John the Baptist says that he is "the friend of the bridegroom", who is Jesus. Because of this, John's "joy" "is made full." Continuing with the words of John the Baptist =>

John 3:30-36 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 What he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness. 33 He who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he[Jesus] whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit{pnyoo'-mah} without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. 36 One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys{The same word can be translated “disobeys” or “disbelieves” in this context.} the Son won't see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."

More on this subject => http://sidnash.org/?HCE1

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Desiring to live by every word that comes from the mouth of Jehovah (Deut8:3; Matt4:4)

-Sid Nash: 02/03/2024. Latest version: http://sidnash.org/docs/John3.html