Verse by Verse

4 Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Even if a person was born from a mother’s womb a second time, it would still be a birth in sinful flesh, with a fallen nature. Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one (Job 14:4). This is why Jesus Christ was conceived by the Spirit of God.

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:7-8).

The new nature is born of the Spirit and is spiritual.

water — the Word of God (NOT baptism — baptism symbolized death, not life). That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word (Ephesians 5:26).

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever (1 Peter 1:23).

You must be born again = “you all” must … All Israel — Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them (Ezekiel 36:25-27). A prophecy of the Kingdom.

When the Word is believed, the Holy Spirit accomplishes the new birth and we have a new nature and new life.

You cannot see the Spirit, but you can recognize His power in your life. Verse 8 refers to the believer’s life, not the Spirit Himself.

To sum up the teaching in this verse: “The wind bloweth” — there is the fact. “And thou hearest the sound thereof” — there is evidence of the fact. “But knowest now whence” — there is the mystery behind the fact. The one born again knows that he has a new life, and enjoys the evidences of it, but how the Holy Spirit operates upon the soul, subdues the will, creates the new life within us, belongs to the deep things of God. — Pink, page 119.

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

These verses are connected to John 2:23-25. Nicodemus was one who saw Jesus’ miracles. It seems he sought more truth, but he was afraid for his reputation. He sneaked in after dark. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue (John 12:42).

Ruler of the Jews — probably a member of the Sanhedrin

Rabbi = master, teacher

Nicodemus probably suspected that Jesus was the Messiah, which led him to wonder about the Kingdom. Jesus anticipated this and answered the question before it was asked.

Kingdom — not salvation, as often assumed, but the literal Kingdom which the prophets predicted, promised to Israel and yet to come at Christ’s second coming (Ezekiel 36:4-28). But it is also true of us by application — Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13).

Night could also symbolize Nicodemus’ spiritual ignorance. The Jews, like Nicodemus, were in the dark without spiritual discernment and were dead in sin.

Nicodemus was as “good” as a man could be, but the Lord emphasized his need for a new birth.

Men are dead in sin. Birth is the gateway to life.

Born again = born from above

Evidently, Nicodemus believed. Here he is timid, approaching by night. In John 7:50-51, he boldly reprimands the Sanhedrin, and in John 19:39, he boldly helped Joseph of Arimathea bury Jesus when the apostles fled.

23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in His name, when they saw the miracles which He did.

24 But Jesus did not commit Himself unto them, because He knew all men,

25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for He knew what was in man.

Jesus’ miracles showed His power and glory. They were His credentials as King and Messiah and were the signs of the Kingdom.

Many of those who saw the miracles believed that He was who He said He was, but their hearts were not touched. They assented to outward evidence. Jesus knew their hearts.

In the Greek, it reads, “Many believed (trusted) in His name … But Jesus did not believe (trust) in them.” He knew men’s motives.

18 Then answered the Jews and said unto Him, What sign shewest Thou unto us, seeing that Thou doest these things?

19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt Thou rear it up in three days?

21 But He spake of the temple of His body.

22 When therefore He was risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this unto them; and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

The Jews challenged Jesus to do a miracle to prove He had the authority to clear the Temple. He offered the sign of His own resurrection.

Jews require a sign — For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:22). But they still didn’t believe in spite of all the miracles Jesus did.

Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from Thee. But He answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12:38-40).

Christ’s words were twisted and used as an accusation against Him before Caiaphas — And [they] said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days (Matthew 26:61).

Jesus told the disciples that He would send the Spirit who would remind them of what He had taught. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14:26).

Scripture (verse 22) —The body of Old Testament Scripture prophesying the resurrection.

13 And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,

14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

15 And when He had made a scourge of small cords, He drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;

16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not My Father’s house an house of merchandise.

17 And His disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

Jew’s Passover — John may have used this terminology because Israel was spiritually dead. Passover was no longer a “feast of Jehovah,” just a Jewish ceremony. In addition, when John wrote this, the temple had been destroyed.

This wasn’t the same temple clearing mentioned in Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15 and Luke 19:45. That one was on Jesus’ last trip to Jerusalem.

Arthur W. Pink, in his Exposition on the Gospel of John, thinks there was only one cleansing of the temple which occurred at the end of Jesus’ ministry but that John recorded it here to show Israel’s spiritual deadness. I don’t think I agree with him.

The courtyard of the temple was full of animals sold for sacrifices, commercializing the holy functions and violating Deuteronomy 12:6 which instructed that the Jews were supposed to supply their own sacrifices — And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks.

In addition, the outer court was reserved for Gentiles for prayer.

There will be another cleansing in the future — Matthew 24:15; Revelation 6:16; Revelation 13

Money changers changed currency from the common coins into temple money that did not have images of animals or men.

Temple (in verses 14-15) — hieron, the whole temple

Temple (in verse 19) — naos, the inner sanctuary. The same word is used in 1 Corinthians 6:19 — What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

My Father’s house — He was declaring His Divine Sonship.

The quote in verse 17 is from Psalm 69:9 — For the zeal of Thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached Thee are fallen upon me.

For Passover, all leaven had to be removed from the homes of all Jews. Jesus was removing the leaven from the temple. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world (1 Corinthians 5:8-10). Leaven includes the covetous and extortioners, just what Jesus was dealing with in the temple.

The entire crowd fled before one Man, an indication of His holiness.

Interesting point — The cattle and sheep were driven out, but their owners would be able to recover them. The coins were dumped, but they could be picked up. The doves, which could not be recaptured, were not let go. Christ told their owners to remove them. He was angry, but He showed restraint.

1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

2 And both Jesus was called, and His disciples, to the marriage.

3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto Him, They have no wine.

4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come.

5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.

6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

8 And He saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory; and His disciples believed on Him.

12 After this He went down to Capernaum, He, and His mother, and His brethren, and His disciples: and they continued there not many days.

Nathanael was from Cana (John 21:2). Perhaps Jesus and the other disciples were visiting his home.

Third day — After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight (Hosea 6:2). This is a prophecy of the second coming, but could also have a partial fulfillment in Christ’s first coming.

Jesus’ presence at the wedding showed His approval of marriage.

Wedding feasts could last as long as a week.

Some commentaries state that the running out of wine and the empty water pots symbolize the emptiness of Judaism at this time.

Woman (not Mother) — It was God speaking, not Mary’s son.

What have I to do with thee? — This was a gentle rebuke. Jesus was no longer subject to His parents. He was distancing Himself.

My time has not yet come — He was on His Father’s timetable.

Mary accepted the rebuke — “Whatever He saith … “

Wine (as properly used) is a symbol of joy and gladness. This was a miracle of grace. It showed Jesus’ power of creation.

There’s no mention that Jesus did anything observable. The servants filled the pots and drew the water. The work was God’s but the means were human.

The water pots collectively held perhaps 180 gallons. They were normally used for the ceremonial cleansings of the Jews. They were filled to the brim. Nothing was added. 100% water was changed to 100% wine.

His glory (verse 11) — And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

Perhaps only Mary, the servants and the disciples knew what had happened. It furthered the disciples’ belief.

Capernaum — on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. It became Jesus’ base of operations, but even so the citizens didn’t believe. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell (Luke 10:11).

Jesus’ brothers — Mark 6:3

“Mine hour is not yet come” (2:4) became the most solemn watchword of His life, marking the stages by which He drew nigh to His death. Seven references are made in this Gospel to that awful “hour.” The first is in our present passage in John 2:4. The second is found in 7:30 — “Then they sought to take Him: but no man laid hands on Him, because His hour was not yet come.” The third time is found in 8:20 — “And no man laid hands on Him; for His hour was not yet come.” The fourth is in 12:23 — “And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.” The fifth is in 12:27 — “Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour; but for this cause came I unto this hour.” The sixth is in 16:32 — “Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.” The seventh is in 17:1 — “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee.” This “hour” was the hour of His humiliation. It was the “hour” of His suffering. But why should Christ refer to this “hour” when Mary was seeking to dictate to Him? Ah, surely the answer is not far to seek. That awful “hour” to which He looked forward, was the time when He would be subject to man’s will, for then He would be delivered up into the hands of sinners. But until then, He was not to be ordered by man; instead, He was about His Father’s business, seeking only to do His will. — Pink, page 83-84.

45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

48 Nathanael saith unto Him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

49 Nathanael answered and saith unto Him, Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel.

50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

51 And He saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Philip, at this point, may not have heard of Christ’s virgin birth. He just knew that He was the promised Messiah/King.

Nathanael = gift of God

Moses in the Law — The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him ye shall hearken; according to all that thou desiredst of the Lord thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. And the Lord said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put My words in His mouth; and He shall speak unto them all that I shall command Him (Deuteronomy 18:15-18).

Nazareth — insignificant village. The people were called “Am-horatzin” (ignorant country people) But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And He could there do no mighty work, save that He laid His hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And He marvelled because of their unbelief. And He went round about the villages, teaching (Mark 6:4-6).

son of Joseph — as commonly thought. And Jesus Himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli (Luke 3:23).

When Nathanael raised objections, Philip didn’t argue. He just said, “come and see.” When Nathanael, without guile, was confronted by Christ, he immediately believed.

Jesus knew Nathanael and knew about him, demonstrating His omniscience and omnipresence.

fig tree — one of the symbols of the Israelites. Sitting under the fig tree is a common Jewish metaphor for studying Scripture.

Jesus accepted the titles Son of God and King of Israel at the very start of His ministry. Yet have I set My king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee (Psalm 2:6-7).

angels descending — Jesus is the ladder from heaven to earth. To be fulfilled at His second coming. It’s a reference to Jacob’s ladder in Genesis 28.

no guile — genuine, sincere, without deceit or falsehood. Literally, without a trap

Son of Man — Christ’s identity as a human and His Messianic title from Daniel 7:14 — I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him.

In the book of John, only seven people realized Christ’s Deity.

1. John the Baptist (1:34)

2. Nathanael (1:49)

3. Peter (6:69)

4. Jesus Himself (10:36)

5. Martha (11:27)

6. Thomas (20:28)

7. John (20:31)

43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

Philip = lover of horses

The commentaries all stress that Philip is an example of those who are saved because God calls them directly without the involvement of another person. Today, it would be someone saved by reading the Bible. I’m not sure how significant this is, but it is a common application.

Whatever the circumstances, everyone who trusts Christ can only do so because He gives the grace that enables us to do so.

40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, He said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

Simon = hearing

Jona = dove

shall be called — future time. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious (1 Peter 2:4).

Messiah/Christ = anointed one

stone — Peter would be a stone in the building of which Christ is the foundation

35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples.

36 And looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto Him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where He dwelt, and abode with Him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

John the Baptist’s ministry was to point people to Christ.

two disciples — Andrew and, probably John, the author of the book.

Andrew and John were disciples of John the Baptist who promised to show them the Messiah. They followed him until he did just that.

Rabbi — John interprets the title for his Greek readers

Where dwellest Thou? — they sought fellowship.

Come — Christ’s first recorded words in John. All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out (John 6:37).

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me (John 14:6).

tenth hour = four p.m.

This is the final recorded time John the Baptist saw Christ. His ministry was decreasing as Christ’s began.

John 1:35-42 tells of the disciples’ conversion. Mark 1:16-20, occurring later, is their call to service (which was to Israel and isn’t the focus of John’s gospel).

Four methods of conversion — 1) Andrew and John heard a preacher; 2) Peter was told by his brother; 3) Philip was sought out directly by Christ; 4) Nathanael heard from a friend.