W X1 1,2. Nicodemus. Admission.
Y1 3. The Lord. Answer. Stated.
X2 4. Nicodemus. Question. "How?"
Y2 5-8. The Lord. Answer. Repeated.
X3 9. Nicodemus. Question. "How?"
Y3 10-21. The Lord. Answer. Confirmed.
26 A.D.
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees (see Acts 15:5), named Nicodemus (translated means conquer of the people. Rabbinical tradition makes him one of the 3 richest men in Jerusalem), a ruler (a member of the Sanhedrin, or National Council. See Matt. 5:22) of the Jews: (i.e. Judah)
2 The same came to Jesus by night (a little cautious. See 7:50; 19:39), and said to Him, "Rabbi (the Hebrew term for "my Teacher" transliterated into Greek), we know that You are come from God as Teacher: for no one can do these signs that You are doing, except God be with him."
3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Verily, verily, I say to you, Except anyone be begotten from above (i.e. by Divine power as in v:31,; 19:11,23. Matt. 15:38. Luke 1:3. Jas. 1:17; 3:15,17. The spirit must come from God. The Nephilim did not do this. See Gen. 6:2), he is not able see the kingdom of God." (see Matt. 11:11)
4 Nicodemus saith to Him, "How (&c. note other such questions, 4:5. 1 Cor. 15:35. All answered by "the gift of God". The question implies a negative answer) can a man be born (Nicodemus misunderstands and uses the Verb of the mother. The Lord uses it of the Father, as meaning begotten) when he is old (applying it to his own case)? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" (He, Nicodemus, is talking Physical, not spiritual)
5 Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say to you, Except a man be born of water , yes, spiritual water (the Spirit brings the soul. It is not 2 things, but 1, 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. So it is rendered. Cp. Eph. 5:26, and see 7:38,39 and Ezek. 36:25-27 for the "earthly things" of v.12.), he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (Showing what the Lord meant as "see", in v.2)
Y1 j 5. Reference to question.
k 6. Explanation.
j 7. Reference to question.
k. 8. Illustration.
6 That which has been begotten of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit (the Holy Spirit) is spirit. (This is a fundamental law, both in nature and grace. See 1 Cor. 15:50)7 Marvel not that I said to you, You must be born from above.
8 The Spirit (the word pneuma, occ. 385 times) breaths where He will, and you hear His voice, but know not where it comes from, and where it goes (you can't see the Spirit in this dimension. You can feel it at times and understand): so is every one that has been begotten of the Spirit." (Converting this verse into a most solemn and independent statement of facts)
9 Nicodemus answered and said to him, "How can these things (see Jer.. 31:33; 32:39. Ezek. 11:19; 18:31; 36:25-27. Ps. 51:10) come to pass?"
Y2 A 10. Expostulation. Ignorance.
B 11. Testimony. The Lord's.
A 12. Expostulation. Unbelief.
B 13-21. Testimony. The Evangelist's.
10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the [famous] teacher (referring to his official position) of Israel, and have not got to know these things? (it is written in Ecclesiastes)11 Verily, verily, I say to you, We speak that we do know, and bear witness to that we have seen; and you (i.e. you teachers of Israel) receive not our witness. (They are absorbed in the teachings of man)
12 If I have told you earthly things (Ezek. 96:25-27. 1 Cor. 15:40. Col. 3:2. 2 Cor. 5:1. Phil. 2:10; 3:19), and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
B C1 13-17. Salvation. C2 18-21. Condemnation.
C1 D l 13. The Son of man. His Person.
m 14. His lifting up. His death.
n 15. Belief. Life through Him.
D l 16. The only-begotten Son.
m 17-. His mission.
n -17. Belief. Salvation through Him.
13 And no man (i.e. no spirit) has gone up [of himself] into the heaven (it does not say "has been taken up by God," as Enoch and Elijah. But Christ had "gone up" when the Evangelist wrote these words), except He That came down out of the heaven, even the Son of man (see Matt. 8:20) Who is in the heaven.14 And even as Moses lifted up the serpent (symbolizes anti-Christ) in the wilderness, even so it behooved to, in order to fulfill the prophetic Scripture (see Luke 24:26,46. Acts 3:18; 17:3, and cp. Heb. 2:9-14), the Son of man be lifted up: (on the Cross)
15 That every one who believes in Him should not perish (turn to ashes, cease to exist), but have everlasting life.
16 For God so loved the world (Gr. kosmos), that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever (everybody, 1st to last) believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (From the beginning, past and future. Do you know what that word “perish” means? It has to do with your soul and not your body. To perish means to be fine’ - finished.)
17 For God sent (Gr. apostello) not his Son into the world to judge the world;
but that the world through Him might be saved.
C2 o1 18-. Believe. Positive.
p1 -18. Believe not.Negative.
o2 19. Loving darkness. Positive and reason.
p2 20. Not coming to the Light. Negative and reason.
o3 21. Doing truth. Positive and reason.
18 He that believes on Him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already,because he has not believed in Him of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is what it consist in the judging (i.e. the process rather than the result), that the Light (Christ) is come into the world, and the men loved the darkness rather than the Light, because their works were active evil. (Its better to help your neighbor.)
20 For every one does (practices, or habitually does) evil (= worthless things, base) hates the Light (some people want to do bad), and comes not to the Light, lest his deeds should be brought home to him. (Discovered and convicted)
21 But he that does (actively produces, having regard to the object and end of the action.) the truth comes to the Light, that His deeds may be made manifest (done for God, sign of God's elect), that they have been, and still continue to be wrought in God." (i.e. in His strength)
O E 22-. Coming in to Judea.
F -22. The Lord. Baptizing.
G 23,24. John. Baptizing.
G 26-36. John's disciples. Controversy.
F 4:1,2. The Lord. Baptizing.
E 4:3-. Departing from Judea.
22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea;and there He tarried with them, and was [engaged in] baptizing. (Disciples did it and any Christian can. Symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Christ)
23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon (= Springs. Now Farah. The springs near Umm al'Amadan, 7 1/2 miles below Beisin) near to Salim, because there was many waters (i.e. springs) there: and they came, and were baptized. (There was 2 separate groups)
24 For John had been not yet cast into the prison. (Cp. Matt. 4:12)
G H1 25,26. The questioning. H1 27-36. The answer.25 Therefore (i.e. on account of the facts stated in vv. 22-24.) there arose a questioning on the part of John's disciples with the Jews (Kenites mixed in) concerning purification.
H2 J 27. God the Giver to all men.
K q 28. Contrast.
r 29. His voice.
q 30. Contrast.
r 31-34. His words.
J 35. God the Giver of all to Messiah.
K s 36-. Belief on the Son.
t -36-. Consequences. Everlasting life.
s -36-. Rebellion against the Son.
t -36. Consequences. Abiding wrath.
27 John answered and said, A man can takes [upon himself] nothing, except it have been given him from heaven. (Otherwise it doesn't amount to anything. One source for all)28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Messiah, but that I am sent before Him. (These are the words of John the Baptist. Some were trying to stir up jealousy between John the Baptist and Jesus. John wouldn't fall into that trap. He was humble.)
29 He that has the bride (Israel) is the Bridegroom: but the friend of the Bridegroom (he played a very important part in the wedding ceremonies.), which stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the Bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. (This is why he, John was sent. John was happy the Word of God was born in the flesh. Prophecy of Messiah had been fulfilled.)
30 He (Christ) must increase, but I must decrease.
31 He that comes from above is above all (all blessings come from Him): he that is of the earth is of the earth, and speaks of the earth: He that comes from heaven is above all. (He that is above all is the One knocking at the door. Open the door of your heart and let Him in. He will feed you. You won't want for knowledge or wisdom.)
32 And what he Hath seen and heard, that He testifies; and no man receives His testimony. (If you think earthy and refuse to open the door, you won't receive His knowledge and wisdom. It's that simple.)
33 He that has received His testimony has set to his seal that God is true. (Full knowledge of God's truth in your forehead. See Rev. 9:4)
34 For He Whom God has sent speaks the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit (with art. = the Giver, not the gift. This was by measure to John, but not to the Lord. Cp. 15:26; Matt. 11:27. What John saw and heard was limited [vv. 27-30]. Did not give it to John in full measure) by measure to him.
35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. (God didn't give Jesus part of the Holy Spirit. He gave all things unto His hand. That is the reason that when Jesus touched someone, they were changed.)
36 He that obeys the Son
has everlasting life:
and he that obeys not the Son
will not see life; but the [permanent] wrath of God abides upon him." (Those who don't believe on the Son, will not have eternal life. Open the door to your heart, and let Him in. He loves you. He died on the cross so that you would have the option to open the door.)