1.
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
There was = Now there was.
a man . With special reference to the last word of John 2 .
man. Greek. anthropos. App-123 .
of. Greek. ek. App-104 .
Pharisees . App-120 .
Nicodemus . Mentioned three times (here, 1, 4, 9; John 7:50 ; John 19:39 ). Rabbinical tradition makes him one of the three richest men in Jerusalem. See Lightfoot, vol. xii, p. 252.
ruler. A member of the Sanhedrin, or National Council. See on Matthew 5:22 .
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.
to. Greek. pros. App-104 .
Jesus. App-98 .
by night . See John 7:50 ; John 19:39 .
Rabbi . App-98 .
know. Greek. oida. App-132 .
teacher. Compare John 3:10 . Greek. didaskalos. App-98 . John 3:4 .
come from God . Render: "Thou art come from God as Teacher".
from . Greek. apo. App-104 .
God. App-98 .
no man = no one. Compound of ou. App-105 .
miracles = signs. See note on John 2:11 .
doest = art doing.
except = if . . . not. Greek. ean me. App-118 and App-105 .
with . Greek. meta. App-104 .
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.
answered and said . A Hebraism. See note on Deuteronomy 1:41 . App-122 .
Verily, verily . See note on John 1:51 .
a man = any one.
born = begotten. See note on Matthew 1:2 .
again = from above. Greek. anothen = from above: i.e. by Divine power, as in John 3:31 ; John 19:11 , John 19:23 .Matthew 27:51 .Mark 15:38 . Luke 1:3 .James 1:17 ; James 3:15 , James 3:17 . The Talmud uses this figure, as applied to proselytes.
cannot = is not (Greek. ou. App-105 ) able to.
see . Greek. eidon. App-133 .
the kingdom of God. App-114 . Occurs in John only here and in John 3:5 .
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?
unto . Greek. pros. App-104 .
How . . . ? Note other such questions, John 4:9 . 1 Corinthians 15:35 . All answered by "the gift of God "(John 3:16 ; John 4:10 . 1 Corinthians 15:38 ). The question implies a negative answer,
be born . Nicodemus misunderstands, and uses the Verb gennao of the mother. The Lord uses it of the Father, as meaning begetting.
old . Applying it to his own case.
into. Greek. eis. App-104 .
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.
of water, &c. = of water and spirit. No Art. Figure of speech Hendiadys ( App-6 ). Not two things, but one, by which the latter Noun becomes a superlative and emphatic Adjective, determining the meaning and nature of the former Noun, showing that one to be spiritual water: i.e. not water but spirit. It is to be rendered "of water-yea, spiritual water". Compare Ephesians 5:26 , and See John 7:38 , John 7:39 and Ezekiel 36:25-27 for the "earthly things" of John 3:12 .
enter . Showing what the Lord meant by "see", in John 3:3 .
6.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
That which is born = That (Neuter) which has been begotten. Note the difference between this Perfect here and in John 3:8 and the Aorists in verses: John 3:3 , John 3:3 , John 3:4 , John 3:5 , John 3:7 .
flesh. See note on John 1:13 .
the Spirit : the Holy Spirit (with Art.) See App-101 .
is spirit. This is a fundamental law, both in nature and grace.
7.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
not. Greek. me App-105 .
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.
The wind = The Spirit. The word pneuma, Occurs 385 times, and is rendered "wind" only here. It should be translated Spirit, as at end of verse. "Wind" is anemos. Occurs 31 times, and is always so rendered.
bloweth = breatheth.
it listeth = He willeth. App-102 . The
Eng. "listeth" is Old Eng. for Anglo-Saxon lusteth; i.e. pleaseth or desireth.
the sound thereof = His voice.
canst not tell = knowest not. Greek. oida. App-132 .
not. Greek. ou. App-105 .
is born = has been begotten, as in John 3:6 .
the Spirit : completing the Figure of speech Epanadiplosis ( App-6 ),
converting this verse into a most solemn and independent statement of facts.
9.
Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
these things . See Jeremiah 31:33 ; Jeremiah 32:39 . Ezekiel 11:19 ; Ezekiel 18:31 ; Ezekiel 36:25-27 . Psalms 51:10 .
be = come to pass. Reference to John 3:4 .
10.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11.
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12.
If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
If Ihave. Assuming it as a fact. App-118 .
earthly things . Eze 36:25-27 . 1 Corinthians 15:40 . Colossians 3:2 . 2 Corinthians 5:1 .Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:10 ; Philippians 3:19 .
believe. App-150 . i. See note on John 1:7 .
if I tell. Supposing I tell. App-118 .
heavenly = Plural of epouranios. Occurs only here and Matthew 18:35 in the Gospels. See Ephesians 1:3 , Ephesians 1:20 ; Ephesians 2:6 ; Ephesians 3:10 ; Ephesians 6:12 .Philippians 2:10 , &c.
13.
And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
And , &c. The kai (= And) here is a Hebraism, and does not mark the actual transition. There is nothing whatever in the context to show where the Paragraph breaks should be in this chapter; either in the MSS., or in the Versions. The Authorized Version varies in its different editions. The Authorized Version text in the Revised Version Parallel Bible has a at John 3:14 and John 3:16 . The Camb. Paragraph Bible (Dr. Scrivener) has no break either at verses: John 3:3 , John 3:14 or 16. The Revised Version has a break only at John 3:16 , with WI and Scrivener's Greek Text. The Companion Bible makes the important break at John 3:13 , (1) because the Past Tenses which follow indicate completed events; (2) because the expression "only begotten Son "is not used b y the Lord of Himself; but only by the Evangelist (John 1:14 , John 1:18 ; John 3:16 , John 3:18 ; 1 John 4:9 ); (3) because "in the name of" (John 3:18 ) is not used by the Lord, but by the Evangelist (John 1:12 ; John 2:23 . 1 John 5:13 ); (4) because to do the truth (John 3:21 ) Occurs elsewhere only in 1 John 1:6 ; (5) because "Who is in heaven "(John 3:13 ) points to the fact that the Lord had already ascended at the time John wrote; (6) because the word "lifted up" refers both to the "sufferings ' (John 3:14 ; John 8:28 ; John 12:32 , John 12:34 ) and to "the glory which should follow" (John 8:28 ; John 12:32 .Acts 2:33 ; Acts 5:31 ); and (7) because the break at John 3:13 accords best with the context, as shown by the Structure B, above.
hath ascended = hath gone up (of himself). It does not say: "hath been taken up by God, "as Enoch and Elijah. But Christ had "gone up" when the Evangelist wrote these words. ascended. Greek. anabaino. As in John 1:51 , John 2:13 ; John 5:1 ; John 7:8 , &c. Matthew 20:17 . Mark 6:51 .Romans 10:6 .
to = into. Greek. eis. App-104 . Compare Deuteronomy 30:12 .Proverbs 30:4 .Acts 2:34 .Romans 10:6 . Ephesians 4:10 .
heaven = the heaven. See note on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .
but = except, literal. if not. Greek. ei me.
came down . Greek katabaino. The opposite of "gone up".
from = out of. Greek. ek. App-104 . Not the same word as in John 3:2 .
the Son of Man . See App-98 .
Which is , &c = Who is, &c., and was there when John wrote. This clause is in the Syriac, but is omitted by WI, and put by Revised Version in the margin. Omit "even".
in . Greek. en. App-104 .
14.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
as = even as. Reference to Numbers 21:9 .
Moses . See note on John 1:17 and Matthew 8:4 .
must = it behoved to, in order to fulfil the prophetic Scripture. See Luke 24:26 , Luke 24:46 . Acts 3:18 ; Acts 17:3 , and compare Hebrews 2:9 , Hebrews 2:10 .
be lifted up. See note on John 3:13 .
15.
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
whosoever = every one who. As here defined. believeth in. See App-150 . (See note on John 1:7 .) L reads epi; Lm T Tr. A WI and R read en. but have. Figure of speech Pleonasm ( App-6 ), for emph. The phrases "bath", "have eternal life", are the usual expressions in this Gospel for "live for ever "( App-151 . a). Compare verses: John 3:16 , John 3:36 ; John 5:24 ; John 6:40 , John 6:47 , Joh 6:54 ; 1 John 3:15 ; 1 John 3:5 , 1 John 3:11 .
eternal . Greek. aionios. App-151 . i: i.e. in Him. Compare 1 John 5:12 .
life . See note on John 1:4 . App-170 .
16.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
sent. Greek. apostello. App-174 .
to condemn = to judge. Greek krino. App-122 . A characteristic word of this Gospel. See note on p. 1511.
through. Greek. dia. App-104 .John 3:1 .
18.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
the name : i.e. Him. See note on Psalms 20:1 .
Son of God . See App-98 .
19.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
this is = this is what it consists in; viz:
condemnation = judging: i.e. the process rather than the result. Greek. krisis. App-177 .
light = the light. App-130 . See note on John 1:4 .
men = the men. As a class. App-123 .
darkness = the darkness.
deeds = works. Plural of ergon. A characteristic word of this Gospel. See note on p. 1511.
evil. Greek. poneros = active evil. App-128 .
20.
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
doeth = practises, or (habitually) does. Greek. prasso
evil. Greek. phaulos = worthless, base. Occurs only here; John 5:29 . Titus 2:8 . James 3:16 , in Rec. Text, but in Romans 9:11 . 2 Corinthians 5:10 , in most texts for kakos. Here, plural worthless things.
neither = and . . . not. Greek. ou. App-105 .
reproved = brought home to him. Compare John 16:8 (convince).
21.
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
doeth . Actively produces, having regard to the object and end of the action. Greek. poieo. Compare the two verbs, prasso and poieo, in a similar connexion in John 6:29 .
truth = the truth. Greek aletheia. App-175 . A characteristic word of this Gospel. See note on John 1:14 .
made manifest. Greek phaneroo. App-106 .
are = have been, and still continue to be.
wrought in God : i.e. in His fear, or in His strength.
22.
After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
23.
And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
AEnon = Springs. Now Farah. The springs near Umm al `Amdan, 7.5 miles below Beisan.
Salim . Still so called; east of Shechem.
much water = many waters (i.e. springs).
24.
For John was not yet cast into prison.
was = had been.
not yet . Greek. oupo, compound of ou.
prison = the prison. Compare Matthew 4:12 .
25.
Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
Then = Therefore: i.e. on account of the facts stated in verses: John 3:22-24 .
question = questioning.
between some of = [on the part] of. Greek ek. App-104 .
and = with. Greek. meta. App-104 . the Jews. All the texts read "a Jew". Greek. Ioudaion, with Syriac. But it has been suggested that Iou was the primitive abbreviation for Iesou (= of Jesus), and being repeated (by inadvertence) led to the reading Iou[daion] (= a Jew). This would agree better with verses: John 3:22-24 ; with "Therefore" in John 3:26 , and with the action of John's disciples, and John's answer. See the Structure H2 above.
about = concerning. Greek. peri. App-104 .
purifying = purification. Compare John 2:6 . Luke 2:22 ; Luke 5:14 .
26.
And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
barest witness = hast borne witness. See note on John 1:7 .
behold . Greek ide. App-133 . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .
all. This was the gravamen.
27.
John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
receive = take [upon himself].
nothing. Greek. ou ouden. A double negative.
be given = have been given.
28.
Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
the Christ = the Messiah. App-98 .
sent . App-174 .
29.
He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
the friend , &c. He played a very important part in the wedding ceremonies.
rejoiceth greatly . Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ). Greek. chara chairei = joyeth with joy.
because of. Greek. dia. App-104 .John 3:2 .
30.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
31.
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.
from above . Greek anothen, same as "again" in John 3:3 . earth. Greek. ge. App-129 .
earthly = of the earth.
32.
And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
heard . Not "hath heard".
testimony. Greek. marturia. See note on "witness", John 1:7 .
33.
He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
true . App-175 . A characteristic word of this Gospel. See p. 1611.
34.
For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
words . Greek. Plural of rhema. See note on Mark 9:32 .
for God , &c. Greek."for the Spirit giveth not [the words of God] by measure [unto Him]".
God . [L] T [Tr. ] A WH R., not Syriac, omit "God" here.
the Spirit . With Art. the Giver, not the gift. App-101 . This was by measure unto John, but not unto the Lord. Compare John 15:26 ; Matthew 11:27 . What John saw and heard was limited (verses: John 3:27-30 ).
by . Greek. ek. App-104 .
35.
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
The Father . See note on John 1:14 ,
into . Greek en. App-104 .
36.
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
believeth not = obeyeth not. Greek. apeitheo. Compare App-150 . See note on John 1:7 . Only here in John.
shall not see = will not see. Note the future here, in contrast with "hath".
see . App-183 .
wrath = [permanent] wrath. Greek orge; as in Matthew 3:7 . Luke 3:7 ; 1 Thessalonians 2:16 , &c. Not thumos, which = [temporary] wrath.
abideth . Present tense. See note on John 1:32 .
on = upon. Greek. epi. App-104 .