Read the Passage: John 3

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: John 3

Nicodemus’ Encounter (3:1–8)

John 3:1 introduces a Pharisee named Nicodemus. Interesting, only John mentions this man by name, and Nicodemus appears just two other times in John’s narrative after this chapter (cf. John 7:50; 19:39). In John 3:2 we learn that Nicodemus came to see Jesus under the cover of darkness and declared his belief that Christ was a teacher sent from God. Given Jesus’ response in John 3:3, it seems Nicodemus must have asked Christ, either implicitly or explicitly, about how to receive eternal life. Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). The reply of Nicodemus in John 3:4 reveals both his perplexity and his rejection of Christ’s teaching. In a sense, this response is logical, for a major characteristic of the Pharisees was their confidence in religious performance and a works-based salvation scheme.

Jesus’ explanation in John 3:5–8 shows that Nicodemus rejected Christ’s teaching not because he was confused by it, but because he understood it. Indeed, Nicodemus grasped that a baby has no role in its own birth, for birth is something that is accomplished for a baby, not by a baby (cf. John 1:12–13). This teaching was offensive to Nicodemus. Yet, Jesus explained that salvation comes by “water and the Spirit” (John 3:5). Water is an Old Testament picture of being cleansed by the grace of God (cf. Ezek. 36:24–27), and the Spirit is a reference to the Holy Spirit. Next, in John 3:6–7 Christ comments on the sheer irrationality of self-salvation, for the flesh can only reproduce flesh, while only the Spirit can renew the spirit. Salvation, then, is not attained by the works of man; rather, it is wrought by the unseen work of the Holy Spirit, and it only becomes visible once it is accomplished.

Jesus’ Teaching (3:9–21)

In response to Jesus’ clarifying teaching, it appears Nicodemus was dumbfounded, as he asked, “How can these things be?” (John 3:9). In John 3:10–21 Christ then rebuked Nicodemus and gave a further explanation of His teaching. First, in John 3:10–12 Jesus rebuked Nicodemus, for he represented himself as a teacher of the things of God, yet he rejected the basic doctrine that Christ taught him about God. Second, in John 3:13–17 Christ identified Himself as the “only Begotten Son” (John 3:16), who “came down from heaven” (John 3:13), who will “be lifted up” (John 3:14), so “that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17). In John 3:16 Jesus teaches that these things all took place because God loved the world and now offers salvation to whoever believes in Christ. Of course, the offer of salvation by faith alone contrasts with the idea of salvation by works.

By way of further describing mankind’s condition and need of salvation, in John 3:18 Jesus explains that rejection of the offer of salvation by faith alone is not what condemns a man, for natural man “is condemned already.” Said differently, no one goes to hell because they reject the gospel, or even because they did not hear the gospel; rather, natural man goes to hell because he freely chooses to sin. In John 3:19 Christ teaches that it is because of man’s lost estate that he rejects the offer of salvation by faith alone, for to accept such an offer, mankind would need to admit his lost condition, his need of salvation, and his inability to save himself. This is the aspect of the gospel that offends natural man. Yet, the good news is, “He who believes in Jesus is not condemned. . . . He who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen” (John 3:18, 21).

John’s Witness (3:22–36)

Earlier in this Gospel, John the Baptist was mentioned several times, as he testified about Jesus being the Messiah (cf. John 1:15, 26–27). Now, John 3:22–36 records additional information related to John the Baptist’s witness concerning Christ. While he will be cited or referred to several additional times in this Gospel, this passage is the final time that John the Baptist will appear in the narrative. Here John’s disciples became concerned, for some of Jesus’ followers began to baptize people. By way of response, as he had taught earlier (cf. John 1:19–23), so again John the Baptist taught his ministry was to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. Recall that at Matt. 11:11, Jesus taught that John the Baptist is the greatest man who will ever be born. Yet, here in this passage, John’s own testimony about himself was, “Christ must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

Application Questions:

1. Why is John 3:16 such a beloved teaching? What other passages would you include on a list of well-known Bible verses?
2. Why could Nicodemus not accept Jesus’ teaching about the need to be born again or to be born from above?
3. Can someone who holds to a works-based salvation scheme ever have assurance of their own salvation?
4. Is mankind offended by the offer salvation by faith alone, or by the implications of such an offer?
5. Was John the Baptist’s ministry a gospel ministry? Were followers of John the Baptist redeemed?