1 THERE was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
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.
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.
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?
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.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
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.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
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?
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.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
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.
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.
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.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judæa; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
23 And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
25 Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
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.
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
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.
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.
32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
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.

1There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of þe Iewes:

2The same came to Iesus by night, and said vnto him, Rabbi, wee know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can doe these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3Iesus answered, and said vnto him, Uerily, verily I say vnto thee, except a man be borne againe, he cannot see the kingdome of God.

4Nicodemus saith vnto him, How can a man be borne when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mothers wombe, and be borne?

5Iesus answered, Uerily, verily I say vnto thee, except a man be borne of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdome of God.

6That which is borne of the flesh, is flesh, and that which is borne of the spirit, is spirit.

7Marueile not that I saide vnto thee, Ye must be borne againe.

8The winde bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tel whence it commeth, and whither it goeth: So is euery one that is borne of the Spirit.

9Nicodemus answered, and said vnto him, How can these things be?

10Iesus answered, and saide vnto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

11Uerely, verely I say vnto thee, We speake that we doe know, and testifie that wee haue seene; and yee receiue not our witnesse.

12If I haue tolde you earthly things, and ye beleeue not: how shall ye beleeue if I tell you of heauenly things?

13And no man hath ascended vp to heauen, but hee that came downe from heauen, euen the Sonne of man which is in heauen.

14 And as Moses lifted vp the serpent in the wildernesse: euen so must the Sonne of man be lifted vp:

15That whosoeuer beleeueth in him, should not perish, but haue eternall life.

16 For God so loued þe world, that he gaue his only begotten Sonne: that whosoeuer beleeueth in him, should not perish, but haue euerlasting life.

17For God sent not his Sonne into the world to condemne the world: but that the world through him might be saued.

18 He that beleeueth on him, is not condemned: but hee that beleeueth not, is condemned already, because hee hath not beleeued in the Name of the onely begotten Sonne of God.

19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loued darknesse rather then light, because their deedes were euill.

20For euery one that doeth euill, hateth the light, neither commeth to the light, lest his deeds should be reproued.

21But hee that doeth trueth, commeth to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

22 After these things, came Iesus and his disciples into the land of Iudea, and there hee taried with them, and baptized.

23 And Iohn also was baptizing in Aenon, neere to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

24For Iohn was not yet cast into prison.

25 Then there arose a question between some of Iohns disciples and the Iewes, about purifying.

26And they came vnto Iohn, and said vnto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Iordane, to whom thou barest witnesse, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

27Iohn answered, and said, A man can receiue nothing, except it be giuen him from heauen.

28Ye your selues beare me witnesse, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

29He that hath the bride, is the bridegrome: but the friend of the bridegrome, which standeth and heareth him, reioyceth greatly because of the bridegromes voice: This my ioy therefore is fulfilled.

30Hee must increase, but I must decrease.

31Hee that commeth from aboue, is aboue all: hee that is of the earth, is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: hee that cōmeth from heauen is aboue all:

32And what hee hath seene and heard, that he testifieth, and no man receiueth his testimony:

33He that hath receiued his testimonie, hath set to his seale, that God is true.

34For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God: For God giueth not the Spirit by measure vnto him.

35The Father loueth the Sonne, and hath giuen al things into his hand.

36He that beleeueth on the Sonne, hath euerlasting life: and he that beleeueth not the Sonne, shall not see life: but the wrath of God abideth on him.

 

1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." 4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother's womb and be born again, can he?" 5 Jesus answered, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I told you, 'You must be born from above.' 8 The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." 9 Nicodemus answered and said to him, "How can this happen?" 10 Jesus answered and said to him, "You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? 11 Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. 12 If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. 21 But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God. 22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing. 23 John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, 24 for John had not yet been imprisoned. 25 Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings. 26 So they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him." 27 John answered and said, "No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said (that) I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him. 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. 30 He must increase; I must decrease." 31 The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven (is above all). 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. 34 For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.  

v 1. Nicodemus was a teacher, Pharisee, member of the 70 member Sanhedrin, rebuked the Pharisees for condemning Jesus without hearing Him, Jn. 7:50,51, and helped Joseph of Arimathaea bury Him, Jn. 19:39-40.
v 2. “We”, those on the council with a superficial belief from His miracles that Jesus had been sent by God. He came in fear of peers, and as one rabbi to another.
v 3. Jesus made clear they were not equal rabbis, but Nicodemus must be born again, that is, born from above, spiritually transformed into the kingdom of God. No moral quality or reformation of the old nature is adequate. The condition of the new birth is faith in the crucified Christ, 3:14,15. Only then can one become a member of the family of God and partaker of the divine nature in Christ Himself, Gal. 2:20.
v 4. Nicodemus did not believe the absurd, but couldn’t understand regeneration.
In Jn. 3 Nicodemus is seeking truth; 7:50-53 defending truth: 19:39-42 following it.
v 5. David said in Ps 51:5 Behold, I was shaped in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Since our first birth is corrupt we must have a second, or spiritual birth which is not corrupt. So Jesus told Nicodemus, That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Jesus told him he had to be born of water and the Spirit. That may not make it too clear to us at first, so let’s put some related verses together. In Rom. 10:17, “So then faith cometh  by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Couple that with  Eph 5:26 “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to wash us as described  Jn. 15:3  “ye are clean through the word”; also Titus 3:5,6 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” 1 Cor, 6:11 “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”  Along this line Amp. NT reads “born of water (even) of the Spirit”.
Some think water may have been to remind Nicodemus of repentance involved in the baptism of John the Baptist. In that sense, there must be repentance in order to have the regeneration of the Holy Spirit. Nicodemus would have been familiar with Ezek. 36:25-27, sprinkling of water for ceremonial cleansing from defilement. Cleansing preceded the new heart and spirit.
v 6,7.  Gentiles were baptized to be born again or born anew into Jews religion, so a Jew with their exalted  attitude could not think of being born anew, so Jesus stresses two realms, flesh and Spirit. There must be a new birth to join spiritual realms.
v 8. The Greek word “pneuma” means both wind and spirit. Like wind, the work of the Spirit is invisible and mysterious, but it has a definite, pronounced effect.
v 9,10. A learned teacher of Israel should have been able to understand how God, by His divine grace, gives a new heart.
v 11,12. Jesus spoke positive truth in earthly terms, but Nicodemus, like Israel, did not yet receive it, so how could he understand heavenly things?
v 13. Christ was in heaven before the incarnation, so He knows heavenly things. He is the ladder between heaven and earth mentioned in 1:50,51.
v 14,15. Moses raised up the brass serpent to deliver from punishment for sins; Christ was raised on the cross to give eternal life to those who believe on Him.
It can be noted that brass represented judgment, and since the time of Adam and Eve, the serpent has represented sin. Of course Christ was sinless, but He became sin for us on the cross, 2 Cor. 5:21. The brass serpent was apparently carried and stored for some 900 years until it was brought out and people began burning incense to it in the days of Hezekiah. When he found out, he called it Nehushtan, dubious thing of brass,  and had it broken in pieces, 2 Ki. 18:4.
v 16. God showed His love for mankind in giving His only Son, Christ. This gift can not be earned, but only received for salvation by trusting, believing in Him. Perish is not annihilation, but final destiny in hell, away from God. Those who believe have  eternal life now and will possess it forever.
v 17. God’s purpose in sending Christ into the world was to save, not condemn.
v 18. Those who refuse to believe are already condemned. Believers are not.
v 19-21. Men love darkness for what it hides. Christ, the LIGHT, exposes their evil deeds so they hate light. Light rebukes believers, so they repent and live by truth.
v 22-24. The ministries of Jesus and John the Baptist overlapped for a time, about midway down the Jordan probably, before John was imprisoned. Those who practice sprinkling should take note that here and Acts 8:38 there was “much water” and they “went down into it”.
v 25-28. Some Jews may have questioned whether to accept just ceremonial cleansing, John’s baptism or Jesus’ baptism. John’s disciples appeared jealous of the growing following of Jesus, but were reminded, John was just the forerunner of Christ.
v 29,30. John was happy to be, as it were, the friend of the bridegroom, and was full of joy to see his role diminish and Christ’s role increase.
v 31,32. The Apostle John now makes a declaration that builds on the statement of John the Baptist about the supremacy of Jesus. Since Jesus came from heaven, His teaching is superior to that of any earthly teacher. Jesus was an eyewitness of heaven and spoke with clear knowledge, but men as a whole still rejected Him. 
v 33,34. Those who receive Christ’s message can attest that God is truthful, and to reject that and to not believe is to call God a liar, 1 Jn. 5:10. God sent Christ and He speaks the true word of God. The Holy Spirit is given for His purpose without limit.
v 35. God the Father has given all authority to the Son.
v 36. These two choices are often used in evangelism. Believe on Christ and you have eternal life, starting right now. Those who don’t believe, will not have that kind of life, but are under the wrath of God and will experience eternal separation and eternal punishment. Even if an unbeliever is living in pleasure and sin that brings temporary thrills, he experiences dissatisfaction and unrest in this life as a part of that wrath.