John 3:4

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

Nicodemus {G3530} saith {G3004} unto {G4314} him {G846}, How {G4459} can {G1410} a man {G444} be born {G1080} when he is {G5607} old {G1088}? can {G3361}{G1410} he enter {G1525} the second time {G1208} into {G1519} his {G846} mother's {G3384} womb {G2836}, and {G2532} be born {G1080}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Nakdimon said to him, “How can a grown man be ‘born’? Can he go back into his mother’s womb and be born a second time?”

Berean Standard Bible

“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?”

American Standard Version

Nicodemus saith unto 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?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nicodemus, a prominent Jewish leader, responds to Jesus's declaration about the necessity of being "born again" with a question rooted in a literal, physical understanding. His bewildered query, "How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?", highlights the profound chasm between human logic and the spiritual truths of God's kingdom, setting the stage for Jesus's further revelation on spiritual regeneration by the Holy Spirit.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 3:4 is an immediate and perplexed reaction from Nicodemus to Jesus's profound statement in [John 3:3](/john/3-3 "John 3:3 - Necessity of New Birth"), "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." This nocturnal dialogue, initiated by Nicodemus's acknowledgment of Jesus's divine authority in [John 3:2](/john/3-2 "John 3:2 - Nicodemus's Recognition of Jesus"), forms a pivotal theological discussion in John's Gospel. Nicodemus's literal interpretation of "born again" (Greek: _gennēthē anōthen_) reveals his struggle to grasp the spiritual dimension of Jesus's teaching, which Jesus subsequently clarifies by emphasizing birth "of water and the Spirit" in [John 3:5](/john/3-5 "John 3:5 - Born of Water and Spirit"), distinguishing it from physical birth. The entire conversation in [John 3](/john/3 "John 3 - Jesus and Nicodemus") serves to introduce the concept of spiritual regeneration as essential for entering God's kingdom.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial and legislative council. As such, he was a highly educated and respected religious leader, well-versed in the Mosaic Law and rabbinic traditions. His background would have emphasized adherence to the Law and ritual purity as pathways to righteousness. The concept of "new birth" or spiritual transformation was not entirely alien to Judaism (e.g., proselytes were considered "newborn"), but Jesus's application of it to an already devout Israelite like Nicodemus was revolutionary. Nicodemus's visit by night (implied in [John 3:2](/john/3-2 "John 3:2 - Nicodemus's Night Visit")) suggests caution or perhaps a desire for private, unhurried instruction, away from the scrutiny of his peers who might disapprove of his engagement with Jesus. His question reflects the common human tendency, even among the learned, to interpret divine truths through a purely physical or rational lens, missing the spiritual reality.

* **Key Themes:** Nicodemus's question in [John 3:4](/john/3-4 "John 3:4 - Nicodemus's Question") underscores several key themes within John's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **contrast between earthly and heavenly wisdom**, or **literal versus spiritual understanding**. Nicodemus, despite his considerable earthly wisdom and religious standing, is unable to comprehend Jesus's spiritual metaphor, much like the Jewish leaders who later struggle with Jesus's claims in [John 6](/john/6 "John 6 - Bread of Life Discourse"). Secondly, it emphasizes the **necessity of divine initiative** in salvation; human effort or natural birth cannot achieve what only God can accomplish through spiritual regeneration. This sets the stage for Jesus's teaching on the work of the Holy Spirit in [John 3:5-8](/john/3-5-8 "John 3:5-8 - The Spirit's Work in New Birth"). Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **ignorance and revelation**, where Jesus, as the light of the world, gradually reveals profound truths to those who seek Him, even if they initially struggle to grasp them, as seen in the progression of Nicodemus's understanding throughout John's Gospel (cf. [John 7:50-52](/john/7-50-52 "John 7:50-52 - Nicodemus Defends Jesus") and [John 19:39-40](/john/19-39-40 "John 19:39-40 - Nicodemus Helps Bury Jesus")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **born (Greek, _gennáō_):** From a variation of _genos_ (race, stock); to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate. Nicodemus's confusion stems from Jesus's use of this term, which he interprets solely in its physical sense, referring to a physical birth from a mother. Jesus, however, intends the figurative sense of spiritual regeneration, a concept Nicodemus struggles to grasp.
* **old (Greek, _gérōn_):** Aged. This word highlights the absurdity of Nicodemus's literal interpretation. He is an adult, presumably of advanced age, making the idea of physically re-entering a womb and being born again biologically impossible. This emphasizes the physical barrier to his understanding of Jesus's spiritual truth.
* **womb (Greek, _koilía_):** A cavity, i.e., (especially) the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart. Nicodemus's question specifically references the "mother's womb," demonstrating his complete focus on the biological, physical process of birth. The figurative meaning of _koilía_ as "heart" is ironically lost on him, as Jesus is speaking of a spiritual transformation of the inner being, the "heart."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old?"**: This initial question immediately reveals Nicodemus's literalistic and incredulous response to Jesus's statement about needing to be "born again." He perceives a physical impossibility, unable to conceive of a spiritual dimension to birth. His "How?" (Greek, _pōs_) expresses genuine bewilderment and a challenge to the practicality of Jesus's assertion for an adult.
* **"can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?"**: This follow-up question further emphasizes Nicodemus's physical interpretation and the perceived absurdity of Jesus's words. He takes Jesus's metaphor to its logical, but physically impossible, conclusion. The phrase "the second time" (Greek, _deúteros_) directly links his misunderstanding to the literal repetition of physical birth, missing the spiritual "from above" connotation of "again" (Greek, _anōthen_) that Jesus used in the preceding verse.

#### Literary Devices
John's Gospel masterfully employs several literary devices in this exchange. **Rhetorical Question** is prominently featured in Nicodemus's response, "How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" These are not questions seeking information about a physical process, but rather expressions of incredulity and the perceived impossibility of Jesus's statement. They highlight the intellectual and spiritual barrier Nicodemus faces. Furthermore, there is profound **Irony** at play. Nicodemus, a learned teacher of Israel, demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of spiritual truth, interpreting Jesus's profound spiritual metaphor through a purely carnal lens. This sets up a dramatic contrast between human wisdom and divine revelation. The entire dialogue also functions as an **Allegory** or **Extended Metaphor**, where the physical act of birth is used to illustrate the spiritual transformation necessary for salvation, a concept Jesus will further unpack in the subsequent verses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 3:4 serves as a crucial theological pivot, illustrating the fundamental human struggle to comprehend divine truths apart from spiritual revelation. Nicodemus's literal interpretation of "born again" underscores the radical nature of Jesus's teaching: entry into God's kingdom is not by human effort, lineage, or religious observance, but by a supernatural work of God. This spiritual rebirth signifies a complete transformation of one's nature, a new beginning that transcends physical limitations and human understanding. It highlights the necessity of divine grace and the Holy Spirit's work in regenerating the heart, enabling one to "see" and "enter" the kingdom of God. This concept is foundational to Christian theology, emphasizing that salvation is a gift from God, not a human achievement.

* [Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Washing of Regeneration")
* [1 Peter 1:23](/1_peter/1-23 "1 Peter 1:23 - Born of Imperishable Seed")
* [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nicodemus's question in John 3:4 resonates deeply with the human experience of encountering spiritual truths that defy our logic and natural understanding. We, like Nicodemus, often try to fit God's profound spiritual realities into our limited human frameworks, whether through rationalization, legalism, or a focus on external rituals. This verse challenges us to recognize that true spiritual understanding and entry into God's kingdom are not achieved through human effort, age, or intellectual prowess, but through a radical, God-initiated transformation—a new birth by the Holy Spirit. It calls us to humility, acknowledging our inability to save ourselves, and to surrender to the divine work that makes us new. This spiritual rebirth is not a one-time event to be intellectualized but a continuous process of being renewed by the Spirit, leading to a life lived in alignment with God's will and purposes. It invites us to move beyond superficial interpretations of faith and embrace the deep, life-altering reality of God's regenerating power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you tend to interpret spiritual truths through a purely literal or humanistic lens, similar to Nicodemus?**
* **How does the concept of "new birth" challenge your assumptions about what it means to be a follower of Christ?**
* **What practical implications does the necessity of spiritual transformation have for your daily walk with God and your understanding of salvation?**
* **How can you cultivate a greater openness to the Holy Spirit's work in your life, even when it defies your natural understanding?**

### FAQ

**Why did Nicodemus, a learned man, ask such a seemingly foolish question?**

Answer: Nicodemus's question was not necessarily foolish, but rather a sincere expression of bewilderment rooted in his literal interpretation of Jesus's spiritual metaphor. As a Pharisee and a teacher of Israel, he was accustomed to understanding the Law and religious concepts in precise, often literal, terms. The idea of being "born again" for an adult, especially one already devout, was physically impossible and outside his existing theological framework. His question reveals the chasm between human reason and divine revelation, demonstrating that even the most learned individuals need spiritual insight to grasp God's truths. Jesus's subsequent explanation clarifies that He was speaking of a spiritual birth, not a physical one, highlighting Nicodemus's initial lack of spiritual understanding.

**Does "born again" mean a physical re-entry into the womb, as Nicodemus suggests?**

Answer: Absolutely not. Nicodemus's question in [John 3:4](/john/3-4 "John 3:4 - Nicodemus's Misunderstanding") is a rhetorical one, expressing his confusion and the perceived absurdity of Jesus's statement if taken literally. Jesus immediately clarifies in [John 3:5-8](/john/3-5-8 "John 3:5-8 - Born of Water and Spirit") that He is speaking of a spiritual birth, "of water and the Spirit," which is distinct from physical birth "of the flesh." The "new birth" refers to a supernatural transformation of the heart and spirit, initiated by God through the Holy Spirit, which is essential for entering and seeing the kingdom of God. It has nothing to do with a physical return to the womb.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nicodemus's bewildered question in [John 3:4](/john/3-4 "John 3:4 - Nicodemus's Question") inadvertently sets the stage for Jesus to unveil the profound Christ-centered nature of the new birth. Nicodemus's literalism highlights humanity's inability to achieve spiritual life through natural means or religious performance. The answer to "How can a man be born when he is old?" is found not in human effort, but in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The spiritual birth Jesus speaks of, being "born of water and the Spirit" ([John 3:5](/john/3-5 "John 3:5 - Born of Water and Spirit")), becomes possible only through Christ's atoning death and resurrection. He is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), whose sacrifice makes reconciliation with God possible. Furthermore, it is through Christ's ascension and the sending of the Holy Spirit ([John 16:7](/john/16-7 "John 16:7 - The Helper Will Come")) that the Spirit is poured out, enabling this regenerating work in the hearts of believers. Thus, the new birth is fundamentally a Christ-centered reality: we are "new creations" in Christ ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), spiritually alive because we are united to Him by faith, receiving His life and Spirit. Nicodemus's question, therefore, ultimately points to the necessity of Christ as the sole source and enabler of true spiritual transformation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

John 4:11

The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

John 4:12

Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

John 3:3

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.

John 6:53

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

John 6:60

¶ Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard [this], said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?