John 3

1 a man. Compare the verse preceding. The interview with Nicodemus illustrates, among other things, our Lord’s knowledge of human nature.

a ruler of the Jews. A member of the Sanhedrin. It is only from St. John that we know anything of Nicodemus.

2 by night. That Nicodemus “came to Jesus by night” through fear is evident from the manner in which his coming is afterwards referred to in contrast with his subsequent open confession: see xix. 39, and cp. vii. 50.

we know. It is not Messiahship, but merely a Divine commission as a teacher, which he here acknowledges: “that thou art come from God as Teacher.”

3 born again. Lit., “born from above,” though the Greek word is sometimes translated “anee.” In essence the meaning is the same—the necessity for regeneration or the new, spiritual birth (as in ver. 5).

5 of water and [of the] Spirit. Baptism and the Spirit. “The words, taken in their immediate meaning as intelligible to Nicodemus, set forth, as required before entrance into the kingdom of God, the acceptance of the preliminary rite divinely sanctioned, which was the seal of repentance and so of forgiveness, and following on this the communication of a new life, resulting from the direct action of the Holy Spirit through Christ” (Westcott).

6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, etc. All that is holy, and fitted for the kingdom of heaven, is in its origin and nature not fleshly, but spiritual; and no agency but that of the Spirit of God can impart it. Hence the terms “flesh” and “spirit” are often used in Scripture to denote respectively the unrenewed and renewed state of man’s heart: see especially Rom. vii. 18; viii. 5-9; Gal. v. 16-19.

7. Marvel not, etc. Do not think the change of

10. Art thou a master (“teacher”), etc.? Nicodemus ought to have learned this doctrine from the Old Testament Scriptures (Psa. ii. 10; Isa. xi.; lxi.; Ezek. xi. 19, 20; xxxvi. 26, etc.). He would then have been prepared to believe our Lord’s words.

12 earthly things. Truths and facts already having place on earth.—heavenly things; new heavenly revelations and things (Lange).

14 as Moses, etc. Our Lord illustrates his work by referring this “teacher of Israel” to a Divinely commanded act of the great lawgiver whom he venerated (Numb. xxi. 9). The simplicity of the way of salvation through the Cross is here shown.

16 only begotten Son. A phrase used elsewhere by John of our Lord, not by Jesus of Himself: see note on i. 14, and cp. i. 18; 1 John iv. 9. Some commentators regard this and the following verses (to ver. 21) as the evangelist’s comments; others consider that they are the Saviour’s own words.

18 is condemned already. Better, as R.V., “hath been judged already.” Sentence is already passed.

19 this is the condemnation, etc. Read, with R.V., “this is the judgement, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.”

20 reproved. Old English for convicted: cp. xvi. 8.

22-36. These verses contain the Baptist’s further testimony to our Lord. Jesus begins to baptise before John’s ministry had terminated (22-24); and this involves John’s disciples in a controversy, which they refer to their Master (25, 26).

22 the land of Judæa. That is, the rural districts of Judæa.

baptised. “Was baptising,” through His disciples (iv. 2).

23 Ænon . . . Salim. Conder identifies Ænon with “Ainūn, Salim being east of Nablūs.

much water. Greek, “many waters.” The remark incidentally shows that the locality was not on the Jordan itself.

24 prison. John merely alludes to the Baptist’s imprisonment; the account of which is to be sought in the other Gospels. From these words, compared with Matt. iv. 12, it appears that the events related in i. 15-iv. 54 occurred between vers. 11, 12 of Matt. iv.

25 the Jews. The best MSS. read, “questioning with a Jew.” This conversation is vividly detailed as by a personal witness.

29 friend of the bridegroom. The “friend of the bridegroom” or “groomsman” negotiated the preliminaries of marriage, and arranged the marriage-feast. John represses the jealous zeal of his disciples, by reminding them that he cannot go beyond the bounds of his mission as appointed by God (27), and that he has always declared that he is not the Messiah, but the Messiah’s forerunner (28); holding to Him a relation similar to that which the bridegroom’s friend holds to the bridegroom (29). See note on Matt. ix. 15.

30. I must decrease. As the morning star at the sun’s approach.

31-35. This paragraph is probably by the evangelist: see note on vers. 16-21.

31 is earthly. Lit., an emphatic repetition of the preceding phrase, “is of the earth.” So R.V.

32 what He hath seen and heard. One who has merely an earthly human nature cannot speak of heavenly things as He can who has dwelt among them, superior to them all, and intimately conversant with them: see note on ver. 11.

no man receiveth His testimony. That is, almost none: the exaggeration of deep feeling.

33 set to his seal. That is, has set his seal to it, as one who attests a document.

34. God (or, “He”: see var. read.) giveth not the Spirit by measure [unto Him]. The words, “unto Him,” are not in the original.

36 hath everlasting (eternal) life. As his present and enduring possession.

believeth not. Rather, as R.V., “obeyeth not”; a different word from that in the former part of the verse.

abideth on him. He was under this wrath before; refusing the appointed Deliverer, he remains subject to it.