BY T. W. Parker

According to Scripture, Jesus and Nicodemus meet at night and have a one-on-one conversation (John. 3) Nicodemus is a religious leader, a (Pharisee) and a distinguished teacher who is, at this point, interested in Jesus but not particularly open to the truth: Jesus signs are the conversation starter but not a trigger for faith (vs. 2) however, later he defends Jesus (7:45-52) and buries His body (19:38-42). Nicodemus believes that Jesus is sent by God and endowed with power, but not the Messiah. Jesus answers the question many have asked for centuries: what must I do to enter the Kingdom of Heaven? “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless they are born again” (John. 3:3, NIV). What does Jesus mean by “being born again.” Born of water and the Spirit.” Parallel with “born again” (vs. 3,7) and “born of the Spirit” (vs. 8), emphasizing a single Spirit-produced birth.

As a result, this makes several interpretations unlikely: (1) “born of the water” refers to natural birth (no ancient sources picture natural birth as “from water,” where “water” is the amniotic fluid that breaks before childbirth); (2) that “born of water.” refers to Christian baptism (these words would have had no relevance to Nicodemus at the time); (3) that “born of water” refers to John’s baptism (also, vs. 9-12) then do not logically follow); (4) that “the Spirit” refers to the Word of God (John’s other metaphoric uses of “water” in the Gospel refer to Spirit-produced life (4:14, 7:38-39), not God’s Word. Therefore, the most plausible interpretation of “born of water and Spirit” is the purifying and transforming new birth.

Since Jesus expects Nicodemus to understand what He means (vs. 7, 10), the previous Scripture provides the background to the concept. Water in the (OT) often refers to renewal or cleansing, and the most significant (OT) connection bringing together water and Spirit is (Ezek. 36:25-27), where water cleanses from impurity, and the Spirit transforms hearts. Only God’s Spirit can produce spiritual life (vs. 6). Christianity is a lifestyle that must be lived out daily and produce fruit. Why? Because “You are the salt of the earth” and “You are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:13&14).