John 3:5 kjv
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.
John 3:5 nkjv
Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
John 3:5 niv
Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
John 3:5 esv
Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
John 3:5 nlt
Jesus replied, "I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.
John 3 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 1:2 | "...Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." | Spirit active in creation, life-giving source. |
| Deut 30:6 | "And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart..." | Spiritual transformation, new inner disposition. |
| Ps 51:7 | "Cleanse me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me..." | Cleansing from sin, internal purification. |
| Eze 11:19 | "...remove the heart of stone...give them a heart of flesh..." | God's promise of a new, responsive heart. |
| Eze 36:25-27 | "...sprinkle clean water...new spirit...my Spirit within you..." | Prophetic promise of spiritual cleansing and regeneration by God's Spirit. |
| Zech 13:1 | "On that day a fountain will be opened...for sin and uncleanness." | Cleansing and forgiveness of sin. |
| Mal 3:2-3 | "...like a refiner's fire...a fuller's soap..." | Divine work of purifying and refining. |
| John 1:12-13 | "...power to become children of God...born, not of blood...but of God." | Birth by divine power, not human origin or will. |
| John 6:63 | "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help..." | The Spirit is the sole source of spiritual life. |
| John 7:38-39 | "...rivers of living water...this he said about the Spirit..." | The Spirit as flowing, life-giving water within. |
| Acts 2:38 | "Repent and be baptized...for the forgiveness of sins, and you will..." | Connection between repentance, baptism, and reception of the Spirit. |
| Acts 2:41 | "...those who received his word were baptized..." | Public obedience of baptism following belief. |
| Acts 8:36-38 | "See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?" | Readiness for baptism as an act of faith. |
| Acts 10:47-48 | "...Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people who have..." | Spirit's prior indwelling confirming the authenticity of faith. |
| Rom 8:9 | "Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." | Spirit's indwelling as an essential mark of belonging to Christ. |
| 1 Cor 12:13 | "...for in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body..." | Spirit's role in baptizing believers into the unified body of Christ. |
| Gal 3:27 | "...all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves..." | Identity in Christ through baptism, putting on Christ. |
| Eph 5:26 | "...cleanse her by the washing of water with the word..." | The Word of God as having cleansing power. |
| Col 2:11-12 | "...circumcision made without hands...by burial with him in baptism..." | Spiritual circumcision (heart change) through baptism. |
| Titus 3:5 | "...he saved us, not because of works...but according to his mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit." | Direct parallel describing salvation as a spiritual washing and renewal. |
| 1 Pet 1:23 | "...you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God." | New birth through the powerful and living Word of God. |
| 1 John 5:6 | "...He is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ..." | Jesus' dual testimony of baptism (water) and sacrifice (blood), testifying to his mission. |
John 3 verses
John 3 5 Meaning
John 3:5 states a foundational truth for understanding God's kingdom: that entry into it is absolutely dependent upon a spiritual transformation that is initiated and empowered by God Himself. Jesus clarifies to Nicodemus that this necessary "new birth" involves both "water" and "Spirit." "Water" can symbolize physical birth, purification, the cleansing power of God's Word, or Christian baptism as an outward sign of an inward spiritual reality. "Spirit" unequivocally refers to the Holy Spirit's sovereign work of regeneration, imparting spiritual life. Together, these elements signify a radical, divinely-imparted rebirth that is essential for fellowship with God and partaking in His spiritual reign.
John 3 5 Context
This profound statement in John 3:5 arises during Jesus' late-night dialogue with Nicodemus, a respected Pharisee and a ruler among the Jews. Nicodemus seeks out Jesus, recognizing Him as a teacher sent from God based on His miracles (v. 2). However, his understanding is limited to human wisdom and Jewish custom. Jesus immediately shifts the conversation to the spiritual realm, stating the necessity of being "born again" or "born from above" (v. 3). Nicodemus' literal, incredulous response regarding re-entering a mother's womb prompts Jesus' further clarification in verse 5. This interaction highlights the crucial distinction between mere outward religious observance or human birthright, and the divine spiritual transformation essential for perceiving and entering God's reign. The larger context of John 3 emphasizes God's sovereign love, the need for faith in Jesus as the Son, and the ultimate purpose of eternal life.
John 3 5 Word analysis
- "Truly, truly" (Greek: Amēn, amēn): A powerful Hebraism employed uniquely by Jesus in John's Gospel to signify the utmost importance, truthfulness, and authority of the ensuing declaration. It demands careful attention.
- "I say to you": Underlines Jesus' divine authority and infallible knowledge, setting His words apart as ultimate truth.
- "unless" (Greek: ean mē): This strong conjunction expresses an absolute condition or prerequisite. What follows is not merely advisable but fundamentally indispensable.
- "one is born" (Greek: gennēthē tis): Implies a passive action; this birth is not something humans accomplish by their own will or effort, but something that happens to them by divine initiation, emphasizing God's sovereign agency.
- "of water" (Greek: ex hydatos): A phrase rich in potential meanings and highly debated throughout history. Interpretations include:
- Referring to natural, physical birth (i.e., from amniotic fluid), contrasting with spiritual birth.
- Symbolizing the cleansing power associated with the Word of God (e.g., Eph 5:26).
- Symbolizing ritual purification and cleansing rites common in Judaism, thereby linking to the repentance aspect of John the Baptist's message.
- Pointing to Christian baptism, as an outward sign of an inward cleansing and commitment to Christ.
- "and the Spirit" (Greek: kai Pneumatos): Clearly refers to the Holy Spirit, the divine person and active agent of spiritual regeneration. The Spirit is the indispensable source of spiritual life, transforming a person from spiritual death to life and enabling them to comprehend and engage with God's kingdom.
- "he cannot enter" (Greek: ou dynatai eiselthein): This phrase emphasizes the absolute impossibility based on human capacity or origin. Without this divine birth, entry into the Kingdom of God is completely barred.
- "the kingdom of God" (Greek: tēn basileian tou Theou): Refers to God's sovereign rule, His redemptive reign and spiritual dominion. "Entering" implies receiving eternal life, being subjected to God as King, and experiencing the blessings and benefits of His saving presence both now and in its ultimate consummation. It signifies a fundamental change of allegiance and a new spiritual reality.
- "born of water and the Spirit": This entire phrase often functions as a singular concept despite its two distinct elements. Some interpret it as a hendiadys, meaning "water-Spirit birth" or "birth through spiritual cleansing." Others see "water" as preparatory (e.g., repentance, baptism) and "Spirit" as the actual regenerating agent. Crucially, the unified phrase highlights that full entrance into God's kingdom requires a comprehensive spiritual transformation orchestrated by God Himself, distinguishing it sharply from natural birth or religious observance alone.
John 3 5 Bonus section
The early church, facing its pagan and Jewish contexts, recognized the transformative power spoken of in John 3:5. Christian baptism, involving water, became the outward testimony of this inward spiritual reality, aligning with the "washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit" in Titus 3:5. While the precise relationship between the "water" and the "Spirit" continues to be a subject of theological depth, the absolute necessity of the Spirit's life-giving work for salvation remains paramount. The passage underscores that genuine faith leads to a demonstrable, internal change brought about by God's Spirit, which then often finds expression in public identification with Christ through baptism, signifying death to the old life and resurrection to a new one. This divine initiation means salvation is not an ascent by human effort, but a new birth from above, by grace through faith.
John 3 5 Commentary
Jesus' declaration in John 3:5 is a cornerstone for understanding the Christian experience of salvation. It dispels Nicodemus' notion that simply being a descendant of Abraham or adhering to Jewish law could guarantee entry into God's spiritual reign. The "born of water and the Spirit" is Jesus' elaboration on the earlier "born again/from above." While "water" may point to physical birth, the Word's purifying effect, or the outward rite of baptism, the central emphasis remains on the "Spirit." It is the Holy Spirit's sovereign, supernatural work that quickens a spiritually dead person, enabling them to comprehend and participate in God's kingdom. This regeneration is not something one achieves, but rather something God initiates in the individual, gifting them with new life and a transformed nature. This spiritual rebirth is thus absolutely essential, underscoring that human beings, by their own power, are incapable of entering into or fully understanding the divine realm.
- Example: A person cannot truly see or appreciate colors if born blind, even if they study them intellectually. Similarly, without the Spirit's birth, one cannot truly "see" the Kingdom of God.
- Example: Like breathing is necessary for physical life, spiritual rebirth is necessary for spiritual life and entry into God's active reign.