Joh 3:3-5 | TNotes | STEP | 3:3 born again: Or born from above. John’s expression “from above” (3:31 ; 19:11 ) 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 ). Jesus sometimes used ironic misunderstanding as a teaching strategy.

‏ John 3:3-5

3:3 ^a born again: Or born from above. John’s expression “from above” (3:31 ^b; 19:11 ^c) 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 ^d). Jesus sometimes used ironic misunderstanding as a teaching strategy.
3:5 ^e John the Baptist baptized with water; Jesus baptizes with the Spirit (1:33 ^f).