INTRODUCTION
The most widely known and quoted verse of the Bible is John 3:16, which says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
This verse is a concise statement of the gospel, but if we have missed its surrounding context, then we have not grasped its full meaning. Let us notice this context now.
YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN
The context of John 3:1-21 is a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus.
Nicodemus was "a man of the Pharisees" and "a ruler of the Jews" (v. 1).
This man came to Jesus by night and said, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him" (v. 2).
It is evident that Nicodemus was not like most of the Pharisees.
In general, the Pharisees opposed Jesus and attempted to discredit and destroy Him.
However, Nicodemus called Jesus "Rabbi," which is a term of respect and honor, and he recognized by the signs that Jesus had come from God.
Certainly, Nicodemus' regard for Jesus was the reason for coming to Him secretly by night, for the Pharisees would not tolerate any acceptance of Jesus (see John 7:50-52).
Jesus declared the necessity of a new birth for entrance to the kingdom of God in John 3:1-8.
Although Nicodemus had not asked a question, his statement prompted Jesus to answer. The Lord's answer is not a random response, but rather it is directly connected to the statement of Nicodemus. This will become evident as we study the full context of John 3:1-21.
The Lord's answer was simple: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (v. 3).
Nicodemus attempted to interpret the Lord's words literally, but a second birth is a physical impossibility (v. 4).
Therefore, Jesus repeated and expanded His statement in spiritual terms: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (v. 5).
To be born again is not to be born of the flesh but to be born of the water and the Spirit.
This is a clear and obvious reference to baptism.
Recall that "the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God's purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John" (Luke 7:30). Nicodemus needed to accept God's purpose for himself and be baptized.
John had preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4), and when he spoke to his followers about Jesus, he said, "I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit" (Mark 1:8).
Both John and Jesus commanded men to repent because the kingdom of God was at hand (Matt. 3:2; Mark 1:15). If Nicodemus was to enter the kingdom of God, then he needed to repent and be baptized, which is to be born again.
Jesus compared this spiritual rebirth to the wind, for neither the wind nor the Spirit is visible, but their effects are evident (vv. 6-8).
HOW CAN THESE THINGS BE?
When Nicodemus asked how these things could be, Jesus first marveled at his lack of understanding (John 3:9-12).
In verse 10, Jesus asked, "Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?"
Naturally, it is expected that a teacher knows more than his learners. However, much of Israel had received the teachings of Jesus and John, but the Pharisees did not understand.
How could this be? Consider that in Psalm 119:99 the psalmist said to God, "I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation." The Pharisees had rejected the testimonies of God's word concerning Christ and the gospel. Therefore, the common Israelites understood more than the Pharisees about the kingdom.
Some points of grammar will help to clarify verses 11 and 12.
The word "you" is plural in these verses. At this point, Jesus was speaking of the Pharisees as a group. They did not receive or believe the testimony about the kingdom.
When Jesus used the word "we," He was likely referring to Himself and John. Their witness and testimony had been rejected by the Pharisees.
If then the Pharisees did not believe Jesus when He told them to be baptized, then how would they believe Him if He explained to them the spiritual significance of baptism?
Nicodemus wanted to know how these things could be, but was he capable of believing if he was unwilling to obey? In John 7:17, Jesus said, "If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself."
Jesus taught that these things were possible because the Son of Man was to "be lifted up" (John 3:13-16).
In this explanation, Jesus did not use the pronouns "I" or "me," but rather He spoke of the Son of Man and the Son of God. He allowed Nicodemus to make the connection for himself.
In verse 13, Jesus made a reference to Deuteronomy 30:11-14. Just as no one had ascended into heaven to retrieve the Law of Moses, so also no one had ascended into heaven to retrieve the gospel of Christ. Instead, the Son of Man had come from God as Nicodemus understood (v. 2).
In verses 14-15, Jesus referred to the bronze serpent made by Moses for the salvation of Israel (Num. 21:5-9).
When Israel complained against Moses, God sent fiery serpents among them to kill them.
When the people repented, God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and set it on a standard. Anyone who was bitten could look at the bronze serpent and live.
Like that bronze serpent, the Son of Man was lifted up for the salvation of His people. This was accomplished when Jesus was crucified.
Just as the Israelites had to believe and obey God's commandment by looking on the bronze serpent in order to be saved, likewise men must believe in the Son of Man in order to have eternal life.
At this point, we find the true meaning of John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
Like the snake-bitten Israelites, the world was perishing. We were all dying due to the venom of sin from "the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan" (Rev. 12:9), and there was no hope for us.
Because of God's great love for the world, He made a remedy to save us. That remedy was the giving of His only begotten Son to die for us. Just as Moses interceded for Israel, Christ has interceded for us.
For this remedy to be effective for eternal life, sinners must believe in the Son just as the dying Israelites had to look on the bronze serpent.
Jesus also taught that belief in Him was the difference between those who would be saved and those who would be judged (John 3:17-21).
The Son's entrance into the world was for salvation, not for judgment (v. 17).
Even so, judgment has come upon many, for there are only two possible fates for every soul: salvation or judgment. Those who believe in the Son are not judged, and those who do not believe in Him are judged already (v. 18).
The judgment against unbelievers is simple: "their deeds were evil" (v. 19). For this reason, they do not come to the Light, which is Jesus, lest their evil deeds be exposed (v. 20). In fact, they hate the Light of Jesus. (Consider that Nicodemus came to Jesus in the darkness of night.)
Notice verse 21: "But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."
To practice the truth is the opposite of having evil deeds. Practitioners of truth are naturally drawn to the Light so that God will be glorified (Matt. 5:16).
These words complete the Lord's message to Nicodemus. Those who are born again, who believe in the Son of Man, who practice the truth, and who come to the Light will enter the kingdom of God, will not be judged, and will be saved.
CONCLUSION
Scripture does not record how Nicodemus responded to the Lord's words. All we know is that he later defended Jesus before the Pharisees (John 7:50-52) and he helped to prepare Jesus' body for burial (John 19:38-42). These facts suggest that Nicodemus believed Jesus, and we hope that he was indeed born again.
How do you respond to these words? Have you been born again? Do you believe in Him?