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What does “born again” mean?

Jesus tells Nicodemus that no one can see God’s Kingdom unless he is “born anew,” the phrase most people know as “born again.” The word Jesus uses means more than Nicodemus first hears.

Key verse

Jesus answered him, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.”
John 3:3

World English Bible (public domain)

“Again” or “from above”

The Greek word anōthen can mean “again” or “from above.” Nicodemus hears “again” and asks how a grown man can be born a second time. Jesus means a birth that comes from God.

Water, Spirit and wind

“Born of water and Spirit” has been read as baptism, as the cleansing promised in Ezekiel 36, or as natural birth followed by spiritual birth. The word pneuma means both wind and spirit: like the wind, the new birth is real but cannot be controlled.

The culture behind the text

Nicodemus at nightNicodemus was a Pharisee and member of the ruling council. Coming at night may have been to avoid being seen, or just a quiet time for discussion. "Born again" can also mean "born from above."John 3:1-8; John 19:39

Study notes

Born again · John 3:3Anōthen means both "again" and "from above." Nicodemus hears "again"; Jesus means a birth from God.Water and Spirit · John 3:5"Born of water and Spirit" may refer to baptism, to cleansing in Ezekiel 36:25-27, or to natural birth and spiritual birth.The wind blows where it wishes · John 3:8Pneuma means both wind and spirit. Like the wind, the Spirit's new birth is real but can't be controlled.

Key passages

John 3:1-8“You must be born anew”John 3:16-17For God so loved the world2 Corinthians 5:17A new creation1 Peter 1:23Born of imperishable seed

How the Bible connects it

Every cross-reference in Lampstead says why it’s linked. A few from this page:

John 3:3 → John 3:5-6Why: Jesus explains this new birth as being born of water and the SpiritJesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and Spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom. That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”John 3:3 → 2 Corinthians 5:17Why: Paul says anyone in Christ is a new creation, the radical newness Jesus calls being born againTherefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.John 3:3 → 1 Peter 1:23-25Why: Peter says believers are born again of imperishable seed through God's word…having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and remains forever. For, “All flesh is like grass, and all of man’s glory like the flower in the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls; but the Lord’s word endures forever.” This is the word of Good News which was preached to you.John 3:3 → 1 John 3:9Why: John says those born of God have his seed in them, the new birth Jesus requiresWhoever is born of God doesn’t commit sin, because his seed remains in him, and he can’t sin, because he is born of God.

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Related

Sources behind these notes: Albert Barnes, Notes on the Bible (1834–85). Bible text: World English Bible (public domain).