John 3:1-21 Ye Must Be Born Again
Nicodemus Comes to Jesus
What kind of ruler was Nicodemus?
He was a member of the Sanhedrin, the council the governed the Jewish people.
The supreme judicial and administrative council of the Jews. This council is supposed to have originated among the Jews when they were under the domination of the Syrian kings in the time of the Maccabees. This "council" is referred to simply as the "chief priests and elders of the people" Mt 26:3,47,57,59 27:1,3,12,20 etc. The Sanhedrin is said to have consisted of seventy-one members, the high priest being president. They were of three classes, 1. the chief priests, or heads of the twenty-four priestly courses 1Ch 24:1ff 2. the scribes, and 3. the elders. As the highest court of judicature, "in all causes and over all persons, ecclesiastical and civil, supreme," its decrees were binding, not only on the Jews in Palestine, but on all Jews wherever scattered abroad.
Was Nicodemus sincere in his words to Jesus?
Yes. He seems to be very sincere?
Why do you think he came by night?
Jesus had caused great controversy in upsetting the money changers and doing miracles in Jerusalem. Nicodemus was being careful because of his position.
Jesus seems to abruptly change the subject from introductions to the spiritual. Why do you think he did this?
Jesus can see men’s heart, as John told us in the last chapter. He knows the real reason Nicodemus is here and uses his opening words to begin speaking of heavenly things. Nicodemus says he recognizes Jesus as being from God but Jesus says he can’t even see spiritual things except he be born again.
What does Nicodemus think Jesus is speaking of?
A literal physical rebirth.
In verse 5 how does Jesus explain the new birth?
He compares it with the first birth, one of water and one of the Spirit.
In verse 8, how is the new, spiritual birth comparable to wind?
Neither can be completely understood but both can be experienced and felt.
In verse 14 Jesus makes another comparison between the new birth and an OT incident. List the similarities between the “serpent in the wilderness” and the “lifting up of the Son of man.”
Serpent Christ
Given by God to save the Israelites Given by God to save the world
Was the thing which was killing them Christ become sin, which was killing us
Raised up on a standard Raised up on a cross
People had to look upon it and believe We must look upon Christ and believe
According to verse 15, what is the means of the new birth.
Faith, belief, trust in the one lifted up for our sin.
John’s Commentary
Jesus words seem to stop at vs. 15 and John begins to comment and summarize what Jesus has told Nicodemus.
What was the reason God sent Jesus into the world?
God loved the world and sent His Son.
What was the purpose of Jesus mission?
That the world might be saved through him.
In vs. 18 what is the result of not believing?
Remaining in God’s condemnation, under God’s wrath.
The word condemnation means judgment of guilt. Why are unbelievers so judged? Vs. 19
Light (Jesus) came into the world but mankind loved darkness rather than light.
What according to vs. 20-21 determines who goes to the light and who avoids it?
The evil doer hates the light because it shows him as he is. The doer of truth comes to the light because he longs to have his deeds revealed for they are in God.
John the Baptist’s Final Testimony of Jesus Christ
What were the disciples of John upset about in vs. 26?
Jesus and his disciples were gaining larger crowds than John and his disciples.
John answers with several reasons why this must happen. What were the reasons vs. 27-31?
1. His position was a gift from heaven. He was the forerunner not the Christ.
2. He acts as the “best man” to Christ the bridegroom.
3. Jesus must increase, John must decrease. Jesus is from above and is greater than all.
In vs. 32, did John believe that all those flocking to Jesus really believed Him?
No, it was superficial and would not last.
In vs 36 what is the significance of the phrase “hath (has) everlasting life?”
It is in the present tense, meaning that those who believe Jesus have in their possession now and forever life.
Conclusion
John 3 gives us one of the clearest and most emphatic descriptions on who Jesus is, His purpose on earth and what it means to be born again, saved from our sin and redeemed by Christ’ work on the cross.
Salvation is possible because Jesus, like the serpent in the wilderness, would be offered up as the one we must look to for salvation.
That salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit touching our hearts as Jesus sacrifice for us is lifted up in scripture and in our testimony.
We must believe, put our faith in, Jesus is our only hope of salvation. We must trust that His death on the cross paid for our sin and that His resurrection proved His power over sin, hell and death.
Our believing also includes our repenting, turning from our sin and unbelief and towards God and salvation through Jesus.
How am I different than Nicodemus when he came to Jesus? How am I different after He had heard Jesus speak of faith in Him?
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