John 3:7 ASV

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 3:6-8

John 3:6-8. That which is born of the flesh is flesh Only flesh, void of the Spirit: or is carnal and corrupt, and therefore at enmity with the Spirit. And that which is born of the Spirit is spirit Is spiritual, heavenly, divine, like its author. As if our Lord had said to Nicodemus, Were it possible for a man to be born again in a literal sense, by entering a second time into his mother’s womb, such a second birth would do no more to qualify him for the kingdom of God than the first;... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 3:1-21

21. Jesus and Nicodemus (3:1-21)Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish Council, or Sanhedrin, was impressed with Jesus’ miracles, but faith based on miracles alone is not enough. There must be inner cleansing, a complete change of heart brought about by the creative power of the Spirit of God. Only then can a person enter the kingdom of God (John 3:1-5; cf. Ezekiel 36:25-27).Jews prided themselves that they were born Jews, and thought this guaranteed their entrance into the kingdom of God. Jesus was... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 3:7

not. Greek. me App-105 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 3:7

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born anew. The wind bloweth where it will, and thou hearest the voice thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit.These verses record Jesus' help of Nicodemus to believe and understand the invisible power of the new birth. To be sure, a baptismal ceremony can be seen; but the forgiveness, clean conscience, and receiving the Spirit cannot be seen. Like the powerful wind, though invisible,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 3:7

John 3:7. Ye must be born again.— "Even you, though the descendants of Abraham; even you, scribes, Pharisees, and doctors of Israel, however proud of superior sanctity and knowledge; even you must be born again, in this spiritual sense." The passage is remarkably strong and emphatical. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 3:7

7. Marvel not, c.—If a spiritual nature only can see and enter the kingdom of God if all we bring into the world with us be the reverse of spiritual; and if this spirituality be solely of the Holy Ghost, no wonder a new birth is indispensable. Ye must—"Ye, says Jesus, not we" [BENGEL]. After those universal propositions, about what "a man" must be, to "enter the kingdom of God" ( :-) —this is remarkable, showing that our Lord meant to hold Himself forth as "separate from sinners." read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 3:1-21

3. Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus 3:1-21John now presented evidence that Jesus knew people as no others did and that many believed in His name (John 2:23). This constitutes further witness that He is the Son of God. John summarized several conversations that Jesus had with various individuals in the next few chapters. They were remarkably different types of people, yet they all responded positively to Jesus. The first man was a representative of Pharisaic Judaism. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 3:7

Nicodemus needed spiritual life. He needed to experience the new birth. He had evidently viewed acceptance by God as so many of his Jewish contemporaries did. He thought that his heritage (ancestry, position, works, all that made him what he was) was adequate to get him into the kingdom and make him acceptable to God. He had to realize that he needed spiritual cleansing and renewal that only God could provide by His Spirit. Likewise today most people are relying on themselves, who they are and... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:1-36

The New Birth. John’s Testimony to Jesus1-15. Conversation with Nicodemus. The ministry at Jerusalem, though disappointing, was not fruitless. Christ’s miracles and teaching had made an impression, not only on Nicodemus, but as Nicodemus himself says (John 3:2, cp. John 12:42), on other members of the Sanhedrin. This interview took place by night, on account of the timidity of Nicodemus (cp. John 7:50), and probably in St. John’s house at Jerusalem, the evangelist himself being present.... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - John 3:7

(7) Ye must be born again.—The laws of natural and spiritual generation have been stated as general truths, holding good for all mankind, “that which is born.” But there is a special application to the present case, “Marvel not that I said unto thee (teacher as thou art) that ye (children of Abraham as ye are) must be born again.” In so far as they were children of Abraham according to the flesh, they were children of Abraham’s physical and sinful nature. The law of that, as of all human... read more