John 3:3

Jesus’ abrupt dogmatic statement cut to the heart of the matter. He affirmed strongly that one cannot see the kingdom of God without a second birth from above (Gr. anothen, cf. John 3:31). Anothen means both "again" (John 3:4; cf. Galatians 4:9) and "from above" (John 3:31; John 19:11; John 19:23).

"Although Nicodemus understood it to mean ’again,’ leading him to conclude that Jesus was speaking of a second physical birth, Jesus’ reply in John 3:6-8 shows that He referred to the need for a spiritual birth, a birth ’from above.’" [Note: Harris, p. 220.]

The term "kingdom of God" as Jesus used it consistently refers to the earthly messianic kingdom that will be the earthly phase of God’s eternal heavenly kingdom. To enter the kingdom of God means to obtain eternal life (cf. Mark 9:43; Mark 9:45; Mark 9:47). John used "kingdom" language rarely (John 3:3; John 3:5; John 18:36). This is the only passage in John that mentions the kingdom of God, though Jesus spoke of "my kingdom" in John 18:36. He used "life" language instead (cf. John 1:12-13). This is understandable since he evidently wrote late in the first century when it was clear that God had postponed the kingdom. His readers needed to prepare for the future immediately by obtaining eternal life.

The implication of Jesus’ illustration of new birth is that life with God in the future will require completely new equipment. Nicodemus had claimed to see something of who Jesus was by His signs. Jesus replied that no one can see God’s kingdom, the end in view, without new birth.

"If the kingdom does not dawn until the end of the age [and it will], then of course one cannot enter it before it comes. Predominant religious thought in Jesus’ day affirmed that all Jews would be admitted to that kingdom apart from those guilty of deliberate apostasy or extraordinary wickedness (e.g., Mishnah Sanhedrin John 10:1). But here was Jesus telling Nicodemus, a respected and conscientious member not only of Israel but of the Sanhedrin, that he cannot enter the kingdom unless he is born again. . . . The coming of the kingdom at the end can be described as the ’regeneration’ of the world (Matthew 19:28, NIV ’renewal’), but here what is required is the regeneration of the individual before the end of the world and in order to enter the kingdom." [Note: Carson, pp. 188-89.]

"By the term born again He means not the amendment of a part but the renewal of the whole nature. Hence it follows that there is nothing in us that is not defective." [Note: John Calvin, Calvin’s Commentaries: The Gospel According to St. John , 1:63.]