Joh 3:1-17 | TNotes | STEP | 3:1 John links 2:25 and 3:1 by referring to humanity as a whole (“human nature,” 2:25 ) and then to one specific man using the same Greek word ( anthrōpos ) in both verses. • Nicodemus was saturated in religious knowledge and had witnessed Jesus’ work (2:13-24 ), but he had not experienced spiritual rebirth. • a Pharisee: See study note on 1:24. He was elite, proud of his spiritual purity, and well educated in Jewish law.

3:1 ^a John links 2:25 ^b and 3:1 ^c by referring to humanity as a whole (“human nature,” 2:25 ^d) and then to one specific man using the same Greek word (anthrōpos) in both verses.

• Nicodemus was saturated in religious knowledge and had witnessed Jesus’ work (2:13-24 ^e), but he had not experienced spiritual rebirth.

• a Pharisee: See study note on 1:24. He was elite, proud of his spiritual purity, and well educated in Jewish law.
3:2 ^f After dark: Nicodemus might have feared public association with Jesus. Night also symbolizes the realm of evil, untruth, and unbelief (9:4 ^g; 11:10 ^h; 13:30 ⁱ).
3:3 ^j born again: Or born from above. John’s expression “from above” (3:31 ^k; 19:11 ^l) means “from God.” To experience spiritual rebirth, a person must be completely renewed through God’s power.

• Nicodemus interpreted Jesus’ words physically; he demonstrated that those in darkness, who do not have spiritual rebirth, cannot understand Jesus or other “heavenly things” (3:12 ^m). Jesus sometimes used ironic misunderstanding as a teaching strategy.
3:5 ⁿ John the Baptist baptized with water; Jesus baptizes with the Spirit (1:33 ^o).
3:8 ^p Wind translates the same word in Greek as spirit (Greek pneuma). The wind is an apt image for the Spirit, who is sent from heaven and cannot be contained or controlled.
3:13 ^q There is great distance between this world and heaven (see 1:51 ^r; 3:31 ^s; 6:38 ^t, 42 ^u). Jesus bridged that distance, validating his divine status by defeating death and returning to heaven (16:5-11 ^v).
Summary for John 3:14-15: 3:14-15 ^w Jesus was lifted up on the cross so that all people could understand the way of salvation, look to him in faith, and have eternal life.
Summary for John 3:16-21: 3:16-21 ^x Because there are no quotation marks around Jesus’ speech in the Greek text, translators debate where Jesus’ speech ends and John’s commentary begins; 3:16-21 ^y might be John’s commentary. 3:16 ^z The truth that God loved the world is basic to Christian understanding (1 Jn 4:9-10 ^aa). God’s love extends beyond the limits of race and nation, even to those who oppose him (see thematic note for The World at end of chapter).

• The Son came to save—not condemn (3:17 ^ab)—men and women who habitually embrace the darkness (3:19-21 ^ac).