NOTES for Joh 3:1-15
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: |
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. |
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. |
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? |
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. |
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. |
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. |
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. |
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? |
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? |
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. |
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? |
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. |
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: |
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. |
Hide
As often happens, the most important thing in today's Gospel reading is its direct meaning. In the conversation taking place at night with Nicodemus, a man no longer young and wise with experience, the Lord speaks about a new birth, about the fact that a new life can begin for a person who has believed in Him. And this life, He says, begins as the result of birth from the Spirit of God, birth from above. It is frightening and sad when a person does not live this life born from above, given by the Spirit. But this fact should not lead us to despondency; on the contrary, Christ's direct command to the person is: be born and live. As God said through the prophet Ezekiel: I do not desire the death of the sinner, but that he turn and live.
From the Lord's words about birth from above, another conclusion follows clearly: this birth depends on you yourself. The Creator's will for your birth from above already exists and has been clearly expressed by the Lord. And this opens for us the joyful, paschal side of these words.
Readings for 16 April 2026
After registering, you can subscribe to any Bible reading plan. Personalized settings and other services for registered users are planned, so we recommend registering now. Registration is free. | ||
