When I was in high school, I had the privilege of meeting a man who would go to college campuses and talk to people about Jesus. The primary reason for me remembering him is that my parents let him stay at our house that night and I got to sleep on the couch. When the man left our house, I began to wonder how the people at Ohio State would respond to him. He was a nice person and always had a lot of pamphlets which he would pass out to whomever would take them. Have you ever experienced that? Has someone tried to give you a paper about Jesus? One such paper asked the question, “Have you been born again?” Born again? What does that mean? Let’s open our Bibles and find the answer to that question.
- What does it say? (John 3:1-9)
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus who was a ruler of the Jews. He came to Him at night and said, “Rabbi, we perceive that you are a teacher who came from God, for no one is able to do these signs which you are doing if God is not with him.” Jesus answered him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone is not born again,1 he is not able to see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How is a man able to be born when he is old? He is not able to enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, is he?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly I say to you, if someone is not born of water and the Spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God. That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. You should not have wondered that I said to you that it is necessary for you to be born again. The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but you have not yet perceived where it comes from and where it goes. This is how everyone is who has been born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus responded to Him, “How are these things possible?2“ - What does it mean?
Jesus knew who he was talking to (John 3:1-2)
At the beginning of the chapter, we are introduced to a man named Nicodemus who had a conversation with Jesus at night. He was a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jewish people. He is mentioned two other times in the Gospel of John (John 7:45-53; 19:39-42). What do we know about this man? The fact that he was a Pharisee gives us an idea about his beliefs and practices. According to the ancient historian, Josephus, Pharisees were known for scrupulously following the law of God and that they believed in God’s sovereignty but also man’s free-will.3 The gospels add that they also followed many traditions like fasting4, washing their hands before eating5, and avoiding sinners.6 They were often hypocrital7, known for loving money8, and people who wanted public recognition9. To sum up their reputation, the Pharisees were Jewish people who looked very religious on the outside but were often sinful on the inside.
This particular Pharisee was also a ruler of the Jews. The Jewish people had been conquered by the Romans, but they were permitted to have their own local assembly which acted as “the supreme court of ancient Israel.”10 The Sanhedrin was made up of seventy men and the high priest. Their decisions about court cases were considered final. So, Nicodemus and the other members of the Sanhedrin were viewed as very important people. But this was also the Sanhedrin that plotted to have Jesus killed and eventually sent Him to Pilate to be crucified.
When Nicodemus came to Jesus that night, he was one of them. There was no denying that he was a Pharisee and a Sanhedrin member. However, he appeared to be polite. He addressed Jesus as Rabbi (a respectful term for teacher). He also stated that they perceived Him as a teacher from God because of the signs He had done. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He turned water into wine, healed sick people, caused the blind to see, the lame to walk, and even brought dead people back to life. These signs were hard for anyone to ignore. But Jesus saw past Nicodemus’ polite greeting and kind words because He knew the man’s heart.
Jesus knew what the man needed (John 3:3-4).
Did you notice how Jesus responded to Nicodemus? He didn’t say, “Thank you” or “You’re too kind.” He went straight to the point because He knew what Nicodemus really needed. Nicodemus had aligned himself with a group of religious Jews who believed that strict adherence to the Law of Moses would keep them from future judgment. The Pharisees believed that they were better than the common man because of their outward show of piety. They believed that their good deeds would convince God to reward them now and after they died. But Jesus saw through Nicodemus’ outward layer of good deeds to what he really needed.
Jesus told this seemingly “good” man that no one would see God’s kingdom unless he was born again. That was not what Nicodemus was expecting to hear. The Pharisees believed “that under the earth there will be rewards or punishments, depending on whether they have lived virtuously or viciously in this life. The latter are to be detained in an everlasting prison, but the former shall have power to revive and live again.”11 And I would imagine that they were familiar with the Old Testament prophecies which promised that God would restore the kingdom to Israel in the future. This was something that the Jewish people longed for. But they expected it to happen based on their own personal effort. Jesus told Nicodemus something entirely different.
Jesus told him that he needed to be born again to see God’s kingdom. Some have stated that this should be translated as born “from above” but the context says otherwise. When Nicodemus heard what Jesus said, he didn’t ask how he could be born from above. He asked how someone could be born when he is old. He understood it as born again not born from above. He further clarified this by asking how someone could enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time. What Jesus was saying is that Nicodemus needed a spiritual transformation in his heart. This idea is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. In Ezekiel 36:26, God talked about giving His people a new heart and new spirit that would change them from ungodly people to those who would choose to obey Him. In Titus 3:5, we are reminded that believers don’t become righteous because of their own efforts. Instead, they are regenerated (or born again) by God.
In effect, Jesus was saying that “it was not sufficient to be a Jew, or to acknowledge him to be a teacher sent by God that is, the Messiah; it was necessary, in addition to this, to experience in his own soul that great change called the ‘new birth; or regeneration.”12 Jesus knew that even this seemingly righteous man needed God to change him or he would miss out on God’s kingdom. This must have been a surprise to this important figure in the Jewish community. Despite all of his efforts, he was going to miss God’s kingdom unless he was born again. Nicodemus knew what Jesus had said, but he didn’t understand how it could take place.
Jesus knew what had to happen (John 3:5-8).
When Nicodemus asked his questions, Jesus knew exactly what he needed. Nicodemus needed to be born again. But Nicodemus did not understand the concept. So, Jesus took the time to explain it and to show him what needed to happen in his life. He told him that to enter God’s kingdom, each person needs to be born of water and the Spirit. He also added that there was a difference between what is born of the flesh and of the Spirit. What exactly did Jesus mean?
Jesus had already told Nicodemus that he needed to be born again. Now He explains how that happens. He stated that every person needs to be born of water and the Spirit. “Various views are given to explain Jesus’ words about being born of water and the Spirit: (1) The ‘water’ refers to the natural birth, and the ‘Spirit’ to the birth from above. (2) The ‘water’ refers to the Word of God (Eph. 5:26). (3) The ‘water’ refers to baptism and an essential part of regeneration. (This view contradicts other Bible verses that make it clear that salvation is by faith alone; e.g., John 3:16, 36; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). (4) The ‘water’ is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39). (5) The ‘water’ refers to the repentance ministry of John the Baptist, and the ‘Spirit’ refers to the application of the Holy Spirit of Christ to an individual.”13 So, which one best explains what Jesus was communicating to Nicodemus?
I think that the best explanation for being born of water is what John the Baptist was doing right then. He called on people to repent and be baptized in water. Being born of water would then refer to repentance from sin. When a person saw himself from God’s perspective, the right response at that time was for him to repent of his sins and be baptized. This was a change from his past sinful life to a new life of love for and obedience to God. This was what God wanted all of the people to do, but the Pharisees had “rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him” (Luke 7:30). Apparently, they thought they were already good enough and didn’t need to repent. John the Baptist saw through their hypocrisy and called them a brood of vipers before calling them to repent. Jesus knew this about the Pharisees as well.
So, Jesus was telling Nicodemus that he needed to repent and be regenerated by God’s Holy Spirit. Despite all of his good activity, his high position in the community, and his reputation as a righteous person, he needed to be born again. But notice something important here. Jesus was telling him that he needed to be born again. This was something he couldn’t do for himself. Nicodemus was used to the idea that he could make himself good enough for God. He and the other Pharisees believed that they could choose to live a virtuous life and be good enough for God. But Jesus told him that was not possible. No matter how hard he tried, God had to cause him to be born again. Either he was a child of the flesh (sinful life) or a child of God through the Spirit. There were no other options. - How does it apply?
Who are you from God’s perspective?
When Nicodemus came to Jesus that night, he didn’t know that he was walking into the presence of God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” He thought Jesus was a teacher from God because of the miracles he had done. However, he didn’t realize that Jesus was God who knew everything about him. Remember, “the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). Jesus knew that this outwardly righteous man was a sinner who needed to be born again before he could be accepted by God.
Most people have a high view of their own goodness. They compare themselves with someone who is much worse and consider themselves to have arrived. Because they have done some good things and have lived a mostly honest life, they think that God will accept them as good people. But is that what happened to Nicodemus? No, Jesus looked through his outward appearance and saw him for who he truly was. With all that in mind, what would Jesus say about you? Don’t compare yourself with the people around you. Think about what God already knows. And He knows everything. The truth is that you are a sinful person who needs to be born again.
Have you been born again?
It must have been shocking for Nicodemus to hear that he had not attained righteous standing with God. He had to repent? He had to be changed by God’s Spirit? After all he had tried to do to please God, he had not succeeded. Jesus called on him to repent of his sin and to seek what only God’s Spirit could do for him—the new birth. Do you think that ever happened to Nicodemus? Was he ever born again by God’s Spirit? There is evidence that makes me think that he was. Later, in the book, John tells us that Nicodemus had become different than the others in the Sanhedrin. When they were trying to kill Jesus, he defended him (John 7:50-51). After they succeeded in having Jesus crucified, Nicodemus was one of the men who buried Jesus’ body (John 19:39-42). From these instances, it appears that Nicodemus had been born again by God.
Consider this. If a good person like Nicodemus needed to be born again, what about you? The truth is that each one of us is a sinner who needs to be changed by God. No matter your past or your circumstances, Jesus says that “if anyone is not born again, he is not able to see the kingdom of God.” You must be born again by God. It may be that you have already experienced the new birth and can praise God for the miraculous change He has made in your life. But, if not, seek God about this today. Recognize what God knows about your sinful life and cry out to Him. He alone can change your life and make you fit for the kingdom of God.
Conclusion
At the beginning of the message, I mentioned a man who would go to college campuses and talk to people about Jesus. A year or two after I became a Christian, I remembered that man and tried to follow his example. I drove down to Ohio State University and began passing out literature about Jesus. Not many people were interested and I became a bit discouraged. But when an old man walked by, I quickly asked him, “Have you been born again?” He smiled at me and said, “I’ve been washed in the blood!” That was a good indication that he had been born again. I hope that you, too, have been born again and that you have experienced the change God makes in the lives of those who seek Him.
Bibliography
Barnes, Albert, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible as viewed in the PocketBible app.
Blum, Edwin A., “John” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, USA: SP Publications, 1983.
Bruce, F. F., The Gospel and Epistles of John, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983, reprint 2002.
“Josephus, Antiquities XVIII, 11-17: More About the Pharisees and Sadducees” as viewed at https://cojs.org/josephus-_antiquities_xviii-_11-17-_more_about_the_pharisees_and_sadducees on 5/16/2026.
Kent Jr., Homer A., Light in the Darkness, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1974. Reprint 1986.
Laney, J. Carl, John, Chicago: Moody, 1992.
“What was the Sanhedrin?” as viewed at https://printer.gotquestions.net/GeneratePF?articleId=495 on 5/16/2026.
“Who were the Pharisees?” as viewed at https://printer.gotquestions.net/GeneratePF?articleId=24385 on 5/16/2026.
“Who Were the Pharisees? (Part 2): Josephus” as viewed at https://newtestamentnexus.substack.com/p/who-were-the-pharisees-part-2-josephus on 5/16/2026.
Footnotes
- “c. anew, over again, indicating repetition (a use somewhat rare, but wrongly denied by many (Meyer among them; cf. his commentary on John and Galatians as below)): John 3:3, 7 ἄνωθεν γεννηθῆναι, where others explain it from above, i. e. from heaven. But, according to this explanation, Nicodemus ought to have wondered how it was possible for anyone to be born from heaven; but this he did not say; (cf. Westcott, Commentary on John, p. 63).” As viewed at https://biblehub.com/greek/509.htm on 5/16/2026. ↩︎
- or “able to be” ↩︎
- Josephus, Antiquities XVIII, 11-17: More About the Pharisees and Sadducees ↩︎
- Matt. 9:14 ↩︎
- Mark 7:3 ↩︎
- Mark 2:16 ↩︎
- Matt. 23:13 ↩︎
- Luke 16:14 ↩︎
- Luke 11:43 ↩︎
- “What was the Sanhedrin?” ↩︎
- “Josephus, Antiquities XVIII, 11-17: More About the Pharisees and Sadducees” ↩︎
- Barnes ↩︎
- Blum 281. ↩︎