V1-2
Nicodemus was an important man, a member of the Sanhedrin. He came to
Jesus secretly, by night, fearing the response and opinion of others. It seems
they met in a house rather than in the street. Later, Nicodemus began to support
Christ (7.50-51), and then to identify with Him (19.39).
Nicodemus spoke in the plural, “we” being unwilling to avoid personal
interest in Christ, yet he was somehow drawn to Him. In response, Jesus spoke to
an individual of his need, for Nicodemus was alone. Jesus also did not consider
all Pharisees and religious leaders to be hypocrites.
Nicodemus spoke of signs, as in 2.23, but Jesus spoke of salvation. He
moved the discussion from conversation to commitment.
V3-4
You must be born again; the essential message. Jesus rarely used the word
“must” but there is no other way to enter the kingdom of God. Peter used
“must” in Acts 4.12, urging his listeners to trust in Christ for themselves.
The phrase “born again” is not common, and seems to be more
appropriate for religious people, of especially Jewish people, who tend to trust
in their own religion. It is something spiritual, for Nicodemus, a religious
man, could not understand what Jesus meant. Here was something new for him.
The new birth, or conversion (if we equate them) is God’s work, see
1.12-13; 1 Cor 2.12,14; Eph 2.8-9.
V5-6
New birth is different from natural birth, 1 Cor 15.44. The phrase
“born of water” may refer to natural birth, or possibly to baptism as a Jew,
as John had practised. Here is a new and essential dimension of life, knowing
God in a real and special way.
V7-8
The new birth is a spiritual work of God in the life, something naturally
impossible.
V9
Nicodemus lacked understanding. We do not need to ascend into heaven to
discover spiritual truth, for the Son of Man has come down from Heaven.
V10
Jesus did not mock Nicodemus, but His words indicate the spiritual
poverty and ignorance prevalent in Israel at the time. If we do not know the
essentials of the life of Christ, then other matters are irrelevant.
V11-13
The Son’s authority, speaking of earthly things and of heavenly things.
He has come down from Heaven, bringing the unique message of God.
V14
Jesus looked forward to His suffering; O.T. types and prophecies must be
fulfilled, the bronze serpent was just one of many such types. Jewish readers
would appreciate the significance of such words, and Nicodemus would have been
familiar with the particular incident.
V15
Jesus used the O.T. picture to encourage faith; the message for the many,
“everyone who believes,” the message to deliver from death into life, the
message of faith and trust. If being born again is God’s work, then believing
in Christ is something we must do.
V16
The new issue; God’s love; this love is demonstrated in Jesus Christ,
sent from Heaven, sent to die for us, being lifted up that we might have life.
God could give nothing better; Matt 21.37 indicates that, for Israel,
this was a last opportunity; the Son could do something no prophet could do,
bring an inheritance, even life itself.
God’s love is now for all the world, not just restricted to Israel, if
it ever was.
Without accepting God’s Son, Jesus Christ, we perish, in this life, and
in the next. A life lived outside of faith in Christ is a life destined to
perishing, a downward spiral of self-interest, and no hope.
V17
Jesus’ own words to Nicodemus appear to end in v15; verses 16-21 are
John’s comment on Jesus’ words.
Christ came to save, not to judge; see Luke 4.18-19, where He omits the
reference to God’s vengeance in Is 61.1-2. Condemnation will come, at the
right time. But now is the day of opportunity.
V18
Unbelief, rather than sins, leads to condemnation; this is consistent
with Rom 4, for god justifies the ungodly by faith.
Faith must be in Christ. Rejection of Christ is rejection of God, and
therefore loss of life.
V19
The verdict, or decision, or judgment, of God; that men prefer darkness,
for their deeds are evil. Natural man prefers his life of sin. All this is in
spite of the fact that God has shone His perfect light, Jesus Christ, into this
world.
V20
Sin is reproved by God’s word; people shun the word because it exposes
their sins.
V21
The believing man; he does the truth, he obeys, living a life of good
works. He comes to the light, willing to be examined by God, that he grow in his
obedience. See Ps 119.5-6, where the psalmist comes to the word; where he comes
with steadfast ways, he comes without shame.
V22
Jesus with His disciples, as in 2.2,12; He spent some time with them.
Many who came to Him were baptised (only John mentions this).
Jesus Himself baptised
no-one, see 4.2, He came to baptise with the Holy Spirit (1.33). See also 1 Cor
1.13-17, where the issue of who baptised whom caused difficulties at Corinth. We
note that Jesus’ ministry was therefore different from His followers’.
V23-24
John continued to preach and baptise, 4.1 mentions this as well. This was
apparently not the best situation, and caused some conflict. This conflict only
ceased when John was imprisoned.
V25-26
The dispute between John’s disciples and some Jews. This became a
pretext for the Jews to try to put a barrier between John and Jesus; compare
Matt 11.16-19; wisdom is justified by her children. Jesus made no public
criticism of John, although he seems to have continued his ministry for too
long, once Jesus was working publicly.
V27-30
John’s reply;
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restating, “I am not the Christ,” although
sent by God;
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as the friend of the bridegroom, he was full of
joy at Christ’s coming;
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his joy is complete; should his ministry also
have been complete?
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He was prepared to decrease, that Christ might
increase; all John’s followers should have become Jesus’ followers, as in
1.35-37.
V31
Christ, “from above,” unique and exalted, different from John. John
is “from the earth” and “born of woman” (Matt 11.11).
V32
John and Christ both testified, and were both rejected. Christ spoke of
the things of Heaven and eternity, things that He had seen. See also 5.19.
V33
Christ’s message, that God is true, and to be trusted.
V34
God has sent Christ; in Him the Holy Spirit moved without restriction.
Similarly, the Holy Spirit enables us to testify concerning Christ.
V35
Christ’s authority; all things are in His hands.
V36 Test of true faith, whether or a not a person believes in Jesus Christ, see also v16-18.