John 3:9
John 3:9 in Multiple Translations
“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
And Nicodemus said to him, How is it possible for these things to be?
“How is this possible?” Nicodemus asked.
Nicodemus answered, and said vnto him, Howe can these things be?
Nicodemus answered and said to him, 'How are these things able to happen?'
Nicodemus answered him, “How can these things be?”
Nicodemus answered and said to him, How can these things be?
Nicodemus answered, and said to him: How can these things be done?
Nicodemus replied to him, “How can that happen?”
Nicodemus said, “What? How can somebody get born again from God’s spirit?”
Berean Amplified Bible — John 3:9
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
John 3:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Greek Word Reference — John 3:9
Study Notes — John 3:9
- Context
- Cross References
- John 3:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on John 3:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 3:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on John 3:9
- Trapp's Commentary on John 3:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on John 3:9
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on John 3:9
- Cambridge Bible on John 3:9
- Barnes' Notes on John 3:9
- Whedon's Commentary on John 3:9
- Sermons on John 3:9
Context — Jesus and Nicodemus
9“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and you do not understand these things? 11Truly, truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, and yet you people do not accept our testimony.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John 6:60 | On hearing it, many of His disciples said, “This is a difficult teaching. Who can accept it?” |
| 2 | Luke 1:34 | “How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” |
| 3 | Isaiah 42:16 | I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light before them and rough places into level ground. These things I will do for them, and I will not forsake them. |
| 4 | John 6:52 | At this, the Jews began to argue among themselves, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” |
| 5 | John 3:4 | “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?” |
| 6 | Mark 8:24–25 | The man looked up and said, “I can see the people, but they look like trees walking around.” Once again Jesus placed His hands on the man’s eyes, and when he opened them his sight was restored, and he could see everything clearly. |
| 7 | Proverbs 4:18 | The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. |
John 3:9 Summary
In John 3:9, Nicodemus is asking a question because he wants to understand how someone can be born again, which Jesus mentioned in John 3:7. He's not trying to argue or disagree, but rather to learn and grow in his understanding of spiritual things, much like the psalmist in Psalm 119:66. This verse reminds us that it's okay to ask questions and seek guidance when we don't understand something, and that humility and a willingness to learn are important for spiritual growth (as seen in Matthew 18:3-4). By seeking to understand and learn, we can deepen our relationship with God and experience the spiritual transformation described in 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nicodemus' concern in John 3:9?
Nicodemus is struggling to understand how someone can be born again, as Jesus mentioned in John 3:7, and is asking for clarification on this concept, which is also related to the idea of spiritual rebirth in John 1:13 and the transformation described in 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Why does Nicodemus ask 'How can this be?'?
Nicodemus asks this question because he is trying to comprehend the spiritual concept of being born again, which seems impossible from a human perspective, much like the concept of faith described in Hebrews 11:1 and the idea of God's ways being higher than our ways in Isaiah 55:9.
Is Nicodemus' question a sign of doubt or curiosity?
Nicodemus' question is more a sign of curiosity and a desire to understand, as he is genuinely seeking to learn more about Jesus' teachings, similar to the seeking heart described in Matthew 7:7-8 and the importance of asking questions in Proverbs 1:7.
What can we learn from Nicodemus' question?
We can learn that it's okay to ask questions and seek clarification when we don't understand something, and that humility and a willingness to learn are essential for spiritual growth, as seen in the example of the disciples in Acts 2:37 and the importance of humility in James 4:10.
Reflection Questions
- What are some spiritual concepts that I struggle to understand, and how can I seek clarification and guidance?
- How can I, like Nicodemus, humble myself and ask questions when I don't understand something, and what role does prayer play in this process, as described in Philippians 4:6-7?
- What does it mean to be born again, and how can I experience this spiritual transformation in my own life, as described in John 3:3-8 and 2 Corinthians 5:17?
- How can I balance my desire for knowledge and understanding with the need for faith and trust in God's plan, as described in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Romans 8:28?
Gill's Exposition on John 3:9
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 3:9
Matthew Poole's Commentary on John 3:9
Trapp's Commentary on John 3:9
Ellicott's Commentary on John 3:9
Adam Clarke's Commentary on John 3:9
Cambridge Bible on John 3:9
Barnes' Notes on John 3:9
Whedon's Commentary on John 3:9
Sermons on John 3:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
You Don't Have to Sin by Robert B. Thompson | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of staying within the boundaries set by God. He refers to the verse in Joshua that outlines the specific boundaries for the pe |
|
Life in the Spirit by Smith Wigglesworth | Smith Wigglesworth emphasizes the transformative power of living a life in the Spirit, urging believers to move beyond the foundational principles of faith and embrace the fullness |
|
Christ the Man #3 by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of preaching the gospel in its pure and simple form, without using manipulative tactics or relying on religious exercises. He |
|
The Gospel of Jesus Christ by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of turning off Christian television and instead spending quality time with God by reading the Bible. They warn that in order t |
|
Why People Stay With Christ by Rolfe Barnard | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of truly understanding what it means to be saved. He highlights that salvation is not just about making a profession of faith |
|
Recovery - Part 2 of 4 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being committed to God's purpose. He highlights the need for a specific and personal vision of God's plan in the present ti |
|
Captured and Never Free by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Simon Peter and the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. Simon Peter initially doubted his ability to follow Jesus and went back to |







