In our Daily Devotional on John chapter 3, we come across some of the most profound teachings in the Bible. Verses like “You must be born again” (v. 7) and “For God so loved the world” (v. 16) are more than just famous quotes; they’re central to understanding Christianity. Being “born again” means experiencing a spiritual transformation that goes beyond just knowing about God—it’s about truly believing and living out that belief. This chapter challenges us to reflect on our own spiritual journey and consider if we have truly embraced this life-changing message. Discover Jesus’ first miracle in the Daily Devotional on John 2.
John 3:16 Meaning
John 3 is one of the greatest chapters of Scripture, highlighting the need to be born again both physically and spiritually. John 3:16, which speaks of God’s immense love and the promise of eternal life to those who believe, stood out as particularly powerful. This shows a journey of faith, grappling with the deep truths in this chapter, and seeking a deeper connection with Jesus’ teachings.
Jesus Saves
We will focus on the necessity of spiritual rebirth and the incredible love of God shown through Jesus. Jesus’ direct response to Nicodemus’ questions emphasized the need to be born of the Spirit. The reflections also touched on Jesus’ mission—not to condemn, but to save. These thoughts encourage believers to let Jesus take a more significant role in their lives, embracing the transformative power of His message.
John 3 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
In John 3, we will learn, “You must be born again” (v. 7) and “For God so loved the world” (v. 16). Knowing is not believing. Are you born again? Please read or listen to John 3.
What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?
In 1990, after reading John 3 (NASB), I wrote in my personal Bible reading journal, “One of the greatest chapters of Scripture.” I referred to verses 1-13, “You must be born again” (v. 7), not only physically, born of water, but spiritually born.” I went on to verses 15-17, “Whoever believes may in Him have eternal life. God did not come to condemn, but to save.” Then down to verses 27, “‘A man can receive nothing unless it has been given . . . from heaven.’ Referring to verse 29, John’s joy made full in Jesus. Verse 30, ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’ Help me with this verse,” I wrote. “Verse 34, ‘For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God’. And finally verse 36, believe in Jesus = life; no obedience = ‘wrath of God’”.
What Does to Be Born Again Mean?
In 2005, I was speaking on behalf of the Ezra Project in a couple of churches in California. I referenced one of those services in my journal, “I spoke at a Brethren Church, about thirty people, last night.” I went on to write about John 3 (NASB), “Born again. Born physically first, of water. Born again, spiritually. Spirit. Without a second birth, a spiritual birth, ‘he cannot see the kingdom of God’ (v. 3), Or ‘cannot enter the kingdom of God’ (v. 5). These are not some Baptist preacher’s words. They are out of the mouth of Jesus. ‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life’, John 3:16; the most famous verse in the Bible.” I continued, “‘A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven’ (v. 27). Once we are born again, ‘He must increase, but I must decrease’ (v. 30).”
How to Receive Eternal Life
In 2018, after reading John 3, I wrote, “Jesus does not respond to the statement by Nicodemus. He directs His comments right to Nicodemus’ need to be born again: first birth, physical, of water. Second birth, spiritual, of the Holy Spirit, like wind. We can see the effects of being born in the Spirit. He tells Nicodemus He is going to be lifted up so that we can have eternal life. God gave us Jesus not to condemn, but to save us. Jesus is the only Son of God. There are no others (Mormon). But people love darkness more than light. Always have; always will. ‘A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven’ (v. 27). Not one thing. Jesus needs to increase in my life. I must decrease. God is true. God gives the Spirit. To have eternal life, one must believe in Jesus.”
What Is the Theme of John 3?
As we look into John 3, the theme is clearly stated, “unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (v. 3). Jesus then describes what it means to be born again, “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (v. 5). Physical birth is not enough. Jesus goes on to explain, “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (vs. 7-8).
We can see the impact of the wind. We can see it in hurricanes, tsunamis. We can see it as a warm breeze blows on a summer day. We can see the effect of the wind though we cannot see the wind. Jesus is saying that about being born again. We can see the effects of being born again, even if we cannot see the Spirit. Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews. He was a smart guy. He understood the Torah, the Old Testament, so Jesus says to him, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life” (vs. 14-15). Nicodemus understood Moses. Now he is understanding Jesus, the Son of God.
What Does John 3:16 Say?
Then Jesus says to Nicodemus, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (v. 16). We understand that verse. I hope we have heard that verse. I hope we have seen that verse, John 3:16, at sporting events. But has it been applied to your heart, to your life? That is the question He asks Nicodemus; He asks us today.
Jesus goes on to say, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (v. 17). The only way to be saved and not condemned, is through Him, through the Son of Man, through the Son of God, Jesus, the one speaking.
To get it even more clear, He goes on, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (v. 18). Therefore, we are condemned unless we believe in the name of the only Son of God, and that is Jesus. He gives Nicodemus a choice, and He gives us a choice, “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light” (v. 19).
For God So Loved the World
Jesus goes on to say, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (v. 17). The only way to be saved and not condemned, is through Him, through the Son of Man, through the Son of God, Jesus, the one speaking.
To get it even more clear, He goes on, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (v. 18). Therefore, we are condemned unless we believe in the name of the only Son of God, and that is Jesus. He gives Nicodemus a choice, and He gives us a choice, “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light” (v. 19).
Believe In the Name of Jesus
What will you do with John 3 today? Do you have questions like Nicodemus? What does it mean to be born again? Do you question who Jesus really is? He is the one saying these words in this chapter. He is the one saying you must be born again. He is the one saying you must believe on His name to avoid condemnation and inherit eternal life.
John the Baptist, at the end of the chapter, confirms all of this, “He who comes from above is above all” (v. 31). He goes on to say, “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (vs. 35-36).
Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior
This is one of the most powerful chapters in the Bible. What is your response to it? I realize many of you are born again. But some may not have made that decision yet. I hope Jesus has made His gospel very clear in this chapter. This is not about church. It is not about church doctrine. It is not about religion. It is about Jesus and His words.
For any who have not made a decision to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, make it today. Understand you must be born again of the Spirit. Understand God so loved the world, He sent His only Son, Jesus. Understand He sent Jesus not to condemn you, but to save you.
Understand the choice you have today.
The light has come, but people love the darkness. If you are in darkness, turn on the light of Jesus in your heart right now. Ask Jesus into your heart. Ask Him to forgive your sins. Ask Him to save you and give you eternal life in heaven with Him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Let’s pray.
Jesus, we thank You for this powerful chapter. Your words tell us exactly how to be saved, exactly how to receive forgiveness of our sins, and exactly how to inherit eternal life. Draw us unto You today. Draw us out of the darkness into the light of Your love. We pray it, in the name of Jesus, the name above all names. Amen.
