John 3 9

John 3:9 kjv

Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

John 3:9 nkjv

Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?"

John 3:9 niv

"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.

John 3:9 esv

Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?"

John 3:9 nlt

"How are these things possible?" Nicodemus asked.

John 3 verses

John 3 9 Meaning

John 3:9 reveals Nicodemus's continued perplexity in understanding the spiritual concept of being "born again" or "born from above." Despite Jesus's previous explanations, including the analogy of the wind, Nicodemus struggles to reconcile the necessity of spiritual regeneration with his existing framework of knowledge and Jewish theology, which primarily focused on lineage, law-keeping, and ritual. His question "How can these things be?" expresses deep confusion, hinting at an intellectual and spiritual hurdle that many face when confronting truths beyond human logic and experience. It underscores the contrast between earthly, natural understanding and the divine, supernatural work of God's Spirit.

John 3 9 Context

John 3 begins with Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and Jewish leader, coming to Jesus at night, indicating perhaps caution or a genuine desire for private inquiry. He acknowledges Jesus as a "teacher come from God" based on His miracles. Jesus, however, immediately redirects the conversation from signs to salvation, stating the necessity of being "born again" to "see" or "enter" the kingdom of God (vv. 3, 5). Nicodemus's initial reaction (v. 4) reveals a literal, physical interpretation, asking about re-entering his mother's womb. Jesus clarifies the spiritual nature of this rebirth, differentiating between birth of "flesh" and "Spirit" (v. 6), and illustrates its mysterious yet real effect with the analogy of the wind (vv. 7-8). Verse 9, Nicodemus's question "How can these things be?", is a direct response to this spiritual explanation. It underscores his continued difficulty in grasping a divine truth that defies natural explanation, highlighting the contrast between the limited human intellect and the profound work of the Holy Spirit. His question isn't just about method but implies incredulity at the very possibility of such a spiritual rebirth.

John 3 9 Word analysis

• Nicodemus (Νικόδημος, Nikodēmos): A Greek name meaning "victory of the people." As a "ruler of the Jews" (Jn 3:1), he was a member of the Sanhedrin, highly educated in Jewish law and traditions. His name, status, and role as a teacher highlight the contrast between human wisdom/position and the simple, profound truth of spiritual rebirth. Even the most learned Jew needed divine illumination.

• said (εἶπεν, eipen): A common verb for speaking. Here, it indicates Nicodemus's direct engagement with Jesus's teaching, signaling his intellectual wrestling.

• to him (αὐτῷ, autō): Refers directly to Jesus.

• How (πῶς, pōs): This interrogative particle can imply "in what way?" but in this context, especially after Jesus's elaborate explanations, it carries a tone of bewilderment, incredulity, or even impossibility. It expresses a fundamental inability to comprehend the reality of what Jesus is saying, rather than merely seeking practical steps. It represents the natural mind's limitation in perceiving spiritual truths.

• can these things be? (δύναται ταῦτα γενέσθαι, dynatai tauta genesthai): Literally, "are these things able to become?" or "is it possible for these things to happen?"

  • can (δύναται, dynatai): From dynamai, meaning "to be able," "to have power," or "to be possible." It highlights Nicodemus's assessment of feasibility. He views it as outside the realm of possibility based on his earthly understanding.
  • these things (ταῦτα, tauta): Refers collectively to all that Jesus has just explained about being born from above, born of water and Spirit, and the mysterious work of the Spirit (wind analogy). It's not one single point but the entire concept of supernatural spiritual rebirth that challenges his paradigm.
  • be (γενέσθαι, genesthai): From ginomai, "to come into being," "to happen," "to become." It emphasizes the actualization or manifestation of the spiritual phenomenon Jesus described.

• "How can these things be?": This entire phrase encapsulates the struggle of human reason and tradition to grasp the spiritual truths revealed by God. It signifies a profound spiritual block. Nicodemus, relying on earthly understanding and possibly a belief that being a Jew was enough for salvation, finds no logical entry point for a supernatural "second birth." It challenges the polemical view of relying on inherited status or strict adherence to Mosaic law for righteousness, indicating a deeper, internal transformation is required. This phrase becomes a key question highlighting humanity's natural spiritual blindness (1 Cor 2:14) until God's Spirit opens understanding.

John 3 9 Bonus section

Nicodemus, despite his initial struggle, reappears in John's Gospel, indicating his growing faith. He defends Jesus before the Sanhedrin (Jn 7:50-52) and later assists in His burial, bringing a significant quantity of spices, a costly act of reverence and faith (Jn 19:39-42). This progression shows that though his initial question reflects confusion and limitation, his exposure to Jesus's words and actions ultimately led him towards understanding and discipleship, demonstrating that the Spirit indeed works in mysterious ways to bring about new life and spiritual discernment even in the seemingly resistant heart. His example underscores that spiritual understanding is often a process, moving from initial perplexity to eventual acceptance and commitment, driven by the persistent work of God's revelation.

John 3 9 Commentary

Nicodemus's question in John 3:9 is pivotal. It demonstrates the intellectual and spiritual chasm between natural human comprehension, even that of a highly educated religious leader, and the revealed truths of God's kingdom. His "How?" is not a simple request for instruction, but rather an expression of deep bewilderment and perceived impossibility. He cannot reconcile the concept of spiritual regeneration—an invisible, God-initiated act—with his structured, physical understanding of religious identity and salvation. This moment exposes the limitation of human intellect and religious traditions alone in comprehending divine spiritual realities. The answer, implied by Jesus' subsequent teaching, is that these things "can be" only through God's power and work (e.g., Lk 18:27), not through human striving or intellectual deciphering. The dialogue sets the stage for Jesus to explain the even greater mysteries of His own divine origin and purpose, culminating in the foundational truth of John 3:16, emphasizing faith in God's provision for this new birth. It's a testament to the idea that spiritual rebirth is a mystery of God's sovereign Spirit (Zech 4:6) which remains incomprehensible until divinely illuminated.