John 3:1-21 contains a famous conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. It is in this discussion that we read one of the most popular verses in the Bible (John 3:16). This is not the only famous quotation in this passage. In verse 3, Jesus says, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Most Christians have probably heard sermon after sermon about the importance of being “born again” and that is definitely an important subject. If you check your center column, you may notice that a special note has been made concerning the word “again.” Some Bibles have a note inserted that reveals that an alternate translation for “again” is the word “above.” In fact, the Young’s Literal Translation translates the Greek word as “above.” The Greek word under consideration is the word ἄνωθεν. This word, according to Strong’s, means “from above; by analogy from the first; by implication anew: - from above, again, from the beginning (very first), the top.” This word is used in John 3:3, John 3:7 John 3:31, John 19:11, John 19:23.
When we consider the use of the word in other places in John (and in the rest of the New Testament), we can see how it would be reasonable to translate John 3:3, “Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born from above he cannot see the kingdom of God." In verse 7, Jesus says again, “Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.'” [verses here are primarily from the ESV for clarity’s sake]
Before we make our application, let’s further show that our translation is valid by examining the context.
“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” (John 3:1-8).
Nicodemus came to Jesus to seek information concerning the kingdom of Heaven (for “kingdom of Heaven” see Luke 17:20-37 and Luke 19:11-27). Due to Jesus’s use of miracles, Nicodemus knew that He was a teacher from God and, possibly, the Redeemer of Israel! Jesus then presented to Nicodemus the way to see God’s kingdom (for “see” notice I Corinthians 1:18; I Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 1:18). Nicodemus, like many today, tried to view the rebirth through natural eyes, and, because of that, he misunderstood (John 2:19-22; John 4:10-14; John 6:32-41; etc.). Jesus told him not to marvel, and he then went on to explain that to be “born from above” is to be begotten of water and the Spirit. There is a difference between being born of flesh and being born of Spirit. Those born of flesh are flesh, and those born of Spirit are spirit.
To be born of the Spirit is to be born again, but the birth is not of flesh and blood! It is from above.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (13) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13).
Now, let’s make our application.
Further into the chapter, John says, “He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all” (John 3:31).
When an individual is born of water and of the Spirit, they are born from above (that is “from Heaven”). It is at that point in time that they are no longer “flesh and blood” but are “spirit.”
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:5-8; for “cannot please God” see Hebrews 11:6).
Read the next section very closely with an open heart and an open mind. Try to answer the questions before you read the answer.
Can one enter the kingdom of Heaven without being born “from above” (again)?
No, they cannot. Why?
Because they are still “flesh” (living according to the flesh) and, therefore, cannot be pleasing to God.
What do they have to do to go from being flesh to spirit?
Jesus said, “that which is born of flesh is flesh; and that which is born of Spirit is spirit.” So, in order for someone to be a part of the kingdom of Heaven, they have to be born of water and of the Spirit, right?
Now, read John 3:31 one more time: “He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.”
Read this next passage slowly and carefully.
“And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption” (1 Corinthians 15:45-50).
Jesus is a quickening (a life-giving) Spirit. To those that are dead (because they are carnally minded), He offers them the light of life. No longer do they have to be outside of the kingdom of God, but they can be born of Spirit in order to be like He is. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God because those that are in the flesh cannot please God. One has to be born of the “incorruptible seed” because they can’t be a Christian and only have been born of the “corruptible seed” of man after the will of the flesh. It takes a rebirth to be made fit for God’s kingdom.
“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:22-23).