John 3

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This article is about the chapter of the Gospel of John. For people named John 3, see John III.
John 3
John 3:14–18 on the recto side in Papyrus 63 (c. AD 500)
BookGospel of John
CategoryGospel
Christian Bible partNew Testament
Order in the Christian part4

John 3 is the third

pharisees, and John the Baptist's continued testimony regarding Jesus. Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon said of this chapter that it is the one he would choose "to read to a dying man who did not know the gospel, [as] the most suitable one for such an occasion".[1]

Text

The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 36 verses. Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:

Discourse with Nicodemus (3:1-21)

Main article: Christ's discourse with Nicodemus
Jesus talking to Nicodemus, depicted by William Hole

The first part of the chapter begins with Nicodemus, said to be a member of the ruling council, coming at night to talk with Jesus, whom he calls Rabbi. On account of Jesus' "miraculous signs",[3] Nicodemus and others ("we" in John 3:2) have recognized that Jesus is " a teacher come from God". It is not clear for whom Nicodemus speaks – the translation in The Voice adds wording, "Teacher, some of us have been talking ..." – but many commentators infer from the nighttime setting for this meeting that Nicodemus came alone, privately, "through shame, and fear of his brethren of the council",[4] shame possibly arising because, "being a master in Israel, [he would not want] to be looked upon as a scholar going to learn of another".[5] Methodist writer Joseph Benson notes, with support, theologian Daniel Whitby's interpretation, that "the Pharisees and rulers knew Christ to be a teacher come from God".[4]

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the

born again." The word in Greek: ἄνωθεν, may be translated as either "again" or "from above". The King James Version, the English Standard Version and the New International Version all say "born again", whereas the New Revised Standard Version and Young's Literal Translation both have "born from above" in their text with an alternative note "born anew".[6] Nicodemus's reply, "How can someone be born when they are old? Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!"[7]
reflects an understanding that Jesus is speaking of a second birth.

Verse 5

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.[8]

Spurgeon speaks of the expression "Verily, verily" as "the peculiar idiom of our Lord Jesus Christ".[1] The Greek wording is αμην αμην, amēn, amēn.[9] Jesus talks of what it means to be born again and the path to heaven. "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."[10]

Verse 7

Main article: John 3:7 (sign)

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.[11]

Theologian Donald Guthrie states that this verse gives emphasis to "the imperative character of the new birth", with "nothing optional about it'".[12]

Verse 14

Moses lifted up the "Brazen Serpent" (watercolor c. 1896–1902 by James Tissot)

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:[13]

This verse alludes to Numbers 21:5–9 (see also Nehushtan).[14]

  • "Be lifted up": (especially in the Gospel of John) refers to 'one continuous action of ascent, beginning with the cross but ending at the right hand of the Father', in three steps: (1) Jesus' death on the cross, (2) his resurrection, and (3) his ascension back to heaven (cf. Philippians 2:5–11; John 1:51; 12:32).[15]

Verse 16

Main article: John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.[16]

This chapter is intended to show the importance of the belief in Jesus as the son of God. Jesus is shown here already proclaiming himself the Messiah and laying out aspects of Christian theology, in contrast to Mark for instance, where Jesus seems to try to keep the fact of his divinity secret until his final trip to Jerusalem.[citation needed]

Nicodemus appears here and in chapter 7:50, and he is listed in John 19:39, and only in the Gospel of John, as helping Joseph of Arimathea to bury Jesus.

Jesus baptizes (3:22–36)

In the second part of the chapter, Jesus goes with his disciples into the land of

Aenon
, near Salim, because water was abundant there, and people continued coming for baptism.

John's disciples tell him that Jesus is also baptizing people, more than John it seems (John 3:26: "everybody is going to Him"). John replies that "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the

Mandaeans, who claim John as the greatest prophet.[20]

Verse 36

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.[21]
See also: Divine retribution § New Testament

In the parallel passage containing the preaching of John the Baptist in

Matthew's Gospel, condemnation is directed towards the Pharisees and the Sadducees, who are challenged to "bear fruits worthy of repentance".[22]

Use of verses from John 3

Biblical references for verses John 3:7 and John 3:16 are both used in signage and popular culture to communicate the message of the Christian gospel.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Charles Spurgeon in the sermon Jesus Christ's Idiom, quoted by David Guzik in Guzik Bible Commentary on John 3, accessed 12 February 2016
  2. ISBN 978-0-8028-4098-1
    .
  3. ^ The word σημεια, sēmeia, is thus translated at John 3:2 in the Common English Bible
  4. ^ a b Joseph Benson, Benson Commentary on John 3, accessed 11 February 2016
  5. ^ Matthew Poole's Commentary on John 3, accessed 11 February 2016
  6. BibleGateway.com
  7. ^ John 3:4
  8. ^ John 3:5: King James Version
  9. ^ John 3:5: 1881 Westcott-Hort New Testament
  10. ^ John 3:5–6: New International Version
  11. ^ John 3:7: KJV
  12. ^ Guthrie 1994, p. 1031.
  13. ^ John 3:14 KJV
  14. ^ Note [c] on John 3:14 in NET Bible
  15. ^ Note [d] on John 3:14 in NET Bible
  16. ^ John 3:16 KJV
  17. ^ Barnes, A., Barnes' Notes on John 3, accessed 3 May 2019
  18. ^ Meyer, H. A. W. (1880), Meyer's NT Commentary on John 3, translated from the German sixth edition, accessed 3 May 2017
  19. ^ John 3:22
  20. ^ "The Mandaeans: True descendents of ancient Babylonians". Nineveh.com. Retrieved 2011-12-17.
  21. ^ John 3:36:NKJV: New King James Version
  22. ^ Matthew 3:8: NKJV

Sources

Further reading

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gospel of John - Chapter 3.
Preceded by
John 2 		Chapters of the Bible
Gospel of John 		Succeeded by
John 4
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