Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
At the beginning of the conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus, this statement from Jesus is difficult to understand. Nicodemus himself does not grasp the meaning correctly, as can be seen from his response: “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?” (John 3:4). Jesus then clarifies that this is not the kind of birth He is referring to (John 3:5-8).
One distinctive feature of the Gospel of John is that listeners often misunderstand what Jesus says, and He then corrects them, helping them grasp the correct meaning. There are several examples of this throughout the Gospel (John 3:3-5; 4:7-15; 7:33-36; 8:21-30). When Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born again to enter the kingdom of God, Nicodemus misunderstands. The reason is the Greek word ‘anothen,’ which Jesus uses in His statement. This word has two primary meanings: ‘Again’ and ‘From above.’ Nicodemus interprets it in the first sense, which is why he asks, “How can this be possible for an old man? Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?” In response, Jesus clarifies that He meant the second meaning: “born from above” (John 3:5). The word ‘anothen’ appears five times in the Gospel of John (John 3:3, 7, 31; 19:11, 23). In the last three occurrences, it is clearly used in the ‘from above’ sense.
The first two occurrences (John 3:31; 19:11) indicate something coming from heaven (from God), while the final instance simply means “from above” in the usual sense. So, when examining John 3:3 and 3:7, it is crucial to determine which meaning applies. Given Nicodemus’ response, it is evident that he understood it as ‘again’ (John 3:4). However, from Jesus’ reply, it becomes clear that He meant ‘born from above’ rather than a second physical birth. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). The phrase ‘born of water and the Spirit’ refers to spiritual rebirth. In John 3:3, Jesus speaks of a ‘birth from above,’ and John 3:5 clarifies that this happens ‘through water and the Spirit.’ What does it mean to be ‘born of water and the Spirit?’ In the Old Testament, ‘water and Spirit’ are mentioned together in Isaiah 44:3-5 and Ezekiel 36:25-27. Both passages relate these elements to the new covenant, specifically to Israel’s new birth (renewal). This renewal happens through divine intervention, as described in John 3:5 ‘born of water and the Spirit’ occurs from above, through God’s work.
Jesus’ reference to ‘birth from above’ is fulfilled through the sacrament of baptism. In this sacrament, the cleansing by water serves as both a symbol and means of spiritual rebirth. Notably, in John 3:6-8, when Jesus further explains ‘birth from above,’ He makes no mention of water. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:6-8). Here, Jesus emphasizes that this spiritual rebirth is entirely God’s work, beyond human control. Within Jewish beliefs and traditions, spiritual renewal at the end of times was understood to occur through the ‘work of the Holy Spirit’ (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:25-31; Isaiah 44:3; Jeremiah 31:33).
In summary, when Jesus says “You must be born again” (John 3:3), He means ‘born from above.’ This rebirth happens through the Spirit and is associated with baptism. Those born of the flesh transition to being ‘born of the Spirit,’ thus receiving the identity of ‘children of God’ (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:12-17).
Rev. Dr. Antony Vadakkekara VC
