John 3:4 - Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?”
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What does "John 3:4" mean?
This verse, John 3:4, is a direct response from Nicodemus to Jesus' statement in John 3:3, where Jesus tells him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council (Sanhedrin), is taking Jesus' words very literally. He understands the physical process of birth and can't fathom how an elderly man could possibly return to his mother's womb and be born again.
Therefore, the verse highlights several important aspects:
Literal Interpretation vs. Spiritual Understanding: Nicodemus' question demonstrates a struggle to grasp a spiritual concept in physical terms. He's focused on the impossibility of the physical act of re-entering a womb.
Difficulty Understanding Metaphor: Nicodemus doesn't recognize Jesus' statement as a metaphor for spiritual rebirth. He's thinking linearly and concretely, unable to move beyond the limitations of the physical world.
The Unfamiliarity of the Concept: The idea of being "born again" was likely foreign to Nicodemus, and perhaps even unsettling. The Pharisees, although experts in religious law, may not have emphasized the need for a radical inner transformation in the same way Jesus was.
Setting up Jesus' Explanation: Nicodemus' misunderstanding serves as a springboard for Jesus to further explain the meaning of being "born again." Jesus goes on to clarify that he's talking about a spiritual rebirth through water (representing cleansing and repentance) and the Spirit (representing the Holy Spirit's power and transformation).
In essence, Nicodemus' question reveals his initial perplexity and inability to comprehend the concept of spiritual rebirth, which paves the way for Jesus to elaborate on the nature of true spiritual transformation.
John 3:4 - Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?”
What does "John 3:4" mean?
This verse, John 3:4, is a direct response from Nicodemus to Jesus' statement in John 3:3, where Jesus tells him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council (Sanhedrin), is taking Jesus' words very literally. He understands the physical process of birth and can't fathom how an elderly man could possibly return to his mother's womb and be born again.
Therefore, the verse highlights several important aspects:
Literal Interpretation vs. Spiritual Understanding: Nicodemus' question demonstrates a struggle to grasp a spiritual concept in physical terms. He's focused on the impossibility of the physical act of re-entering a womb.
Difficulty Understanding Metaphor: Nicodemus doesn't recognize Jesus' statement as a metaphor for spiritual rebirth. He's thinking linearly and concretely, unable to move beyond the limitations of the physical world.
The Unfamiliarity of the Concept: The idea of being "born again" was likely foreign to Nicodemus, and perhaps even unsettling. The Pharisees, although experts in religious law, may not have emphasized the need for a radical inner transformation in the same way Jesus was.
Setting up Jesus' Explanation: Nicodemus' misunderstanding serves as a springboard for Jesus to further explain the meaning of being "born again." Jesus goes on to clarify that he's talking about a spiritual rebirth through water (representing cleansing and repentance) and the Spirit (representing the Holy Spirit's power and transformation).
In essence, Nicodemus' question reveals his initial perplexity and inability to comprehend the concept of spiritual rebirth, which paves the way for Jesus to elaborate on the nature of true spiritual transformation.