Tyndale Open Study NotesJohn 3

• John connects 2:25 and 3:1 by using the same Greek word (anthrōpos) to refer to all of humanity and then to a specific man (Nicodemus).

• Nicodemus had deep religious knowledge. He had also seen what Jesus was doing in Jerusalem (2:13–24). But he had not yet experienced spiritual rebirth (a new life that comes from God).

• A Pharisee: See study note on 1:24. The Pharisees were a Jewish group who were careful to obey the law of Moses and their religious traditions.

  Nicodemus belonged to this group. He was part of the religious leaders. He was respected for his knowledge of the Jewish law. He likely took pride in his careful obedience and moral purity.

at night: Nicodemus might have been afraid for others to see him with Jesus. In the Gospel of John, night often has a deeper meaning. It can represent evil, error (wrong belief), and unbelief (lack of trust in God; see 9:4; 11:10; 13:30).

• Born again: To experience spiritual birth, God's power must completely renew a person.

• Nicodemus thought Jesus was speaking about physical birth. He demonstrated that those in darkness, who do not have spiritual rebirth, cannot understand Jesus or other “heavenly things” (3:12).

  Jesus sometimes used ironic misunderstanding as a way to teach. He would say something with a deeper spiritual meaning. The listener would misunderstand his words in a simple or physical way. Then Jesus would explain the deeper meaning.

  This method helped people see the difference between earthly thinking and spiritual truth.

John the Baptist baptized with water. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit (1:33).

In Greek, the word for wind is the same as for spirit (Greek pneuma). The wind is an appropriate image for the Spirit, who is sent from heaven and cannot be contained or controlled.

There is a great distance between this world and heaven (see 1:51; 3:31; 6:38, 42). Heaven represents God’s dwelling place. This world represents human life under sin and weakness.

Jesus came down from heaven to this world. He made a way for people to know God. He proved that he came from God when he defeated death. After rising from the dead, he returned to the Father in heaven (16:5–11).

Jesus was lifted up on the cross so that all people could understand the way of salvation, look to him in faith, and have eternal life.

The original Greek text does not include quotation marks. Because of this, translators must decide where the words of Jesus end and where John's explanation begins. John 3:16–21 might be John’s explanation of what Jesus said.

• The truth that God loved the world is basic to Christian understanding (1 John 4:9–10). God's love extends beyond the limits of race and nation, even to those who oppose him (see “The World” Theme Note).

• The Son came to save, not to condemn, people who often choose spiritual darkness (3:17, 19–21).

As light shines into a dark place, it reveals what was hidden. In the same way, when Jesus came into the world, he exposed its sin and unbelief. Because of this, God’s judgment has already begun.

People who see this light and understand their true condition must respond. They are responsible to believe in God’s Son (3:16–17).

When people live in spiritual darkness (a life separated from God), they do not want the light that Jesus brings. Jesus called himself "the light of the world" (8:12; 9:5). His light shows truth and exposes sin.

Darkness does not simply ignore the light. It resists it and tries to overcome it. But the darkness cannot defeat the light (1:5).

Those who refuse to believe continue to live in darkness (13:30). They stumble because they cannot see clearly (11:10). In the end, their sins will be revealed. God will judge all people (5:28–30; Revelation 20:11–15).

John the Baptist says Jesus is truly "from above" (3:31). So, the followers of John need to start following Jesus instead.

He spent some time with them and baptized: See John 4:2, which explains that the disciples of Jesus were the ones who baptized people.

Before King Herod imprisoned John (see Matthew 14:1–12; Mark 1:14; 6:14–29; Luke 3:19–20), he and Jesus were both ministering near the Jordan River. They were working in the same general area.

After John was arrested, Jesus left that region. He traveled north to Galilee and began his ministry there (Mark 1:14).

everyone is going to Him: Many people were going to Jesus. His growing popularity made some of John’s followers jealous.

John the Baptist spoke because of two concerns:

1. Some people questioned whether his baptism was from God (see 1:26), and

2. his disciples were worried because many people were beginning to follow Jesus instead of John (3:26).

John the Baptist described Jesus as the bridegroom. He described himself as the bridegroom’s friend.

John did not try to bring honor to himself. Instead, he gave honor to Jesus and showed that Jesus is greater than he is.

Jesus came from heaven. Because of this, he alone was able to make the Father known (1:18; 3:13).

God gives the Spirit without limit: The Father shows his deep love for the Son (3:35). This also shows the divine nature of Jesus. John presents the one God as three persons (compare 1 John 5:5–12).

• God gives the gift of eternal life. This life is not only about the future. It begins now. It is a new life and a close relationship with God in the present.

• Whoever rejects the Son will not see life: The world, living in darkness and sin, already stands under God’s judgment (Romans 1–3). This judgment shows God’s anger against sin and evil.