John 3:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

That which is born {G1080} of {G1537} the flesh {G4561} is {G2076} flesh {G4561}; and {G2532} that which is born {G1080} of {G1537} the Spirit {G4151} is {G2076} spirit {G4151}.

Complete Jewish Bible

What is born from the flesh is flesh, and what is born from the Spirit is spirit.

Berean Standard Bible

Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 3:6 is a pivotal statement in Jesus' nocturnal discourse with Nicodemus, profoundly clarifying the essential nature of spiritual rebirth. It articulates an immutable spiritual law: just as physical birth produces a physical being, spiritual birth, wrought by the Holy Spirit, produces a spiritual being. This verse establishes a fundamental, qualitative distinction between human nature in its fallen, earthly state and the new, divine nature imparted through regeneration, underscoring the absolute necessity of a supernatural transformation for entry into God's Kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Jesus’ extended conversation with Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council, as recorded in [John 3:1-21](/john/3-1-21 "John 3:1-21 - Jesus Teaches Nicodemus"). The dialogue begins with Nicodemus acknowledging Jesus' divine origin due to His miraculous signs ([John 3:1-2](/john/3-1-2 "John 3:1-2 - Nicodemus Visits Jesus")). Jesus immediately responds by declaring, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" ([John 3:3](/john/3-3 "John 3:3 - Born Again to See the Kingdom")). Nicodemus's literal interpretation of physical re-entry into the womb ([John 3:4](/john/3-4 "John 3:4 - Nicodemus's Confusion")) prompts Jesus to clarify that this birth is not of "water and the Spirit" ([John 3:5](/john/3-5 "John 3:5 - Born of Water and Spirit")). [John 3:6](/john/3-6 "John 3:6 - Born of Flesh, Born of Spirit") serves as the explanatory principle for this spiritual birth, differentiating it definitively from physical generation and setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent teaching on the Spirit's mysterious work ([John 3:8](/john/3-8 "John 3:8 - The Wind and the Spirit")) and the ultimate source of salvation in the Son of Man ([John 3:14-16](/john/3-14-16 "John 3:14-16 - The Son of Man Lifted Up")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Nicodemus, as a "ruler of the Jews" and a Pharisee, represented the religious elite of his day. Jewish thought, particularly among the Pharisees, emphasized adherence to the Law, ritual purity, and physical lineage as central to one's standing before God and participation in the coming Messianic kingdom. They believed their physical descent from Abraham guaranteed their place in God's covenant ([Matthew 3:9](/matthew/3-9 "Matthew 3:9 - Do Not Presume on Abraham's Lineage")). Jesus' teaching on "being born again" would have been utterly revolutionary and perplexing to Nicodemus, challenging the deeply ingrained cultural and religious assumptions that physical birth and adherence to tradition were sufficient. The concept of a spiritual rebirth, independent of physical lineage or human effort, directly confronted the prevailing Jewish understanding of righteousness and membership in God's people, highlighting a radical shift from external observance to internal transformation.

* **Key Themes:** [John 3:6](/john/3-6 "John 3:6 - Born of Flesh, Born of Spirit") is central to several profound themes in John's Gospel and broader New Testament theology. The primary theme is the **Necessity of Spiritual Regeneration**, emphasizing that human nature, in its fallen state ("flesh"), is inherently incapable of comprehending or entering God's spiritual kingdom without a divine, supernatural intervention. This leads to the theme of **Divine Initiative**, as spiritual birth is explicitly attributed to "the Spirit," underscoring that salvation is not a human achievement but a work of God. The verse also highlights the **Radical Distinction Between Flesh and Spirit**, a recurring motif in the New Testament, particularly in Paul's writings, where "flesh" (Greek: _sarx_) often denotes human nature apart from God, prone to sin, and "spirit" (Greek: _pneuma_) signifies the life and power imparted by the Holy Spirit, enabling spiritual understanding and obedience. This contrast is vital for understanding the believer's ongoing struggle and transformation ([Romans 8:5-9](/romans/8-5-9 "Romans 8:5-9 - The Mind Set on the Spirit vs. the Flesh") and [Galatians 5:16-17](/galatians/5-16-17 "Galatians 5:16-17 - Walk by the Spirit")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **born (Language, _gennáō'_):** From a root meaning "to procreate," this word signifies the act of bringing forth, begetting, or conceiving. In this context, it is used metaphorically to describe a spiritual regeneration, a new origination of life. The passive voice ("is born") emphasizes that this is something done *to* a person, not *by* them, highlighting the divine agency in spiritual birth.
* **flesh (Language, _sárx'_):** While literally referring to the physical body, in this theological context, _sárx_ denotes human nature in its totality, apart from divine influence. It encompasses humanity's fallen state, its inherent limitations, mortality, and its propensity toward sin and self-reliance, rendering it incapable of spiritual understanding or righteousness on its own. It represents the natural, unregenerate human condition.
* **Spirit (Language, _pneûma'_):** This word carries a rich semantic range, from "wind" or "breath" to the "rational soul" and, most significantly here, the "Holy Spirit." In [John 3:6](/john/3-6 "John 3:6 - Born of Flesh, Born of Spirit"), it refers to the divine, life-giving power of God, the Holy Spirit, who is the agent of spiritual regeneration. The lowercase "spirit" at the end of the verse refers to the new spiritual nature or life that is produced by the Holy Spirit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That which is born of the flesh is flesh":** This clause asserts a fundamental principle of nature: like produces like. Whatever originates from human physical generation (the "flesh," representing fallen human nature) will inherently possess the characteristics of that origin—it will remain "flesh," meaning it is limited, mortal, and spiritually deficient. This highlights the inability of natural human effort, lineage, or religious observance to produce spiritual life or access God's kingdom. It underscores humanity's inherent spiritual incapacity without divine intervention.
* **"and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.":** This contrasting clause introduces the divine alternative. Just as physical birth yields a physical being, spiritual birth, originating from the Holy Spirit, yields a "spirit"—a new spiritual nature. This "spirit" refers not to the Holy Spirit Himself, but to the regenerated human spirit, endowed with new life, understanding, and capacity for communion with God. This transformation is entirely supernatural, a new creation that alone enables one to enter and comprehend the spiritual realities of God's kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
[John 3:6](/john/3-3 "John 3:6 - Born of Flesh, Born of Spirit") employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound truth. The most prominent is **Antithetical Parallelism**, where two opposing ideas are presented in parallel structure ("born of the flesh is flesh" vs. "born of the Spirit is spirit"). This stark contrast emphasizes the radical difference between the two sources of birth and their respective outcomes, highlighting the qualitative dissimilarity between natural and spiritual existence. **Repetition** of "flesh" and "spirit" further reinforces this distinction, ensuring the reader grasps that each source produces after its own kind. Additionally, the verse utilizes **Symbolism**, where "flesh" symbolizes humanity's fallen, unregenerate nature and "Spirit" symbolizes the divine, life-giving power of the Holy Spirit. This symbolic language transcends a literal interpretation, pointing to deeper theological realities about human depravity and divine regeneration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[John 3:6](/john/3-6 "John 3:6 - Born of Flesh, Born of Spirit") is foundational to the Christian doctrine of regeneration, asserting that salvation is not merely a moral improvement or a change in behavior, but a radical, supernatural transformation of one's nature. It underscores the concept of total depravity, not in the sense that humanity is as evil as it can be, but that every part of human nature (mind, will, emotions) has been affected by sin, rendering it incapable of initiating or achieving salvation on its own. This verse firmly establishes the Holy Spirit as the indispensable agent of this new birth, a divine act that imparts spiritual life where there was only spiritual death. It reveals that the kingdom of God is not entered by human lineage, religious ritual, or personal effort, but solely by a divine work of grace, making one spiritually alive and capable of relating to God.

* [Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Washing of Regeneration")
* [Romans 8:8](/romans/8-8 "Romans 8:8 - Those in the Flesh Cannot Please God")
* [1 Corinthians 2:14](/1_corinthians/2-14 "1 Corinthians 2:14 - The Natural Man Cannot Understand Spiritual Things")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 3:6](/john/3-6 "John 3:6 - Born of Flesh, Born of Spirit") confronts us with the profound truth that our natural human existence, no matter how outwardly moral or religiously observant, is insufficient for a genuine relationship with God or entry into His eternal kingdom. It calls for a humble acknowledgment of our spiritual inability and a radical dependence on God's sovereign grace. This verse reminds us that true spiritual life is not an achievement but a gift, a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that transforms our very nature. For those who have experienced this new birth, it is a call to live in light of their new identity, recognizing that their spiritual life is sustained by the Spirit, not by the efforts of the flesh. For those who have not, it is a compelling invitation to seek this divine transformation, understanding that it is the only pathway to true spiritual understanding and eternal life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' statement about being "born of the flesh" challenge my assumptions about what it means to be a good person or a religious individual?**
* **In what ways do I still rely on my own efforts or natural abilities rather than the Spirit's power in my spiritual life?**
* **What does it mean practically to live as someone "born of the Spirit" in my daily interactions and decisions?**

### FAQ
**What is the "flesh" that Jesus refers to in this verse?**

Answer: In [John 3:6](/john/3-6 "John 3:6 - Born of Flesh, Born of Spirit"), "flesh" (Greek: _sarx_) refers to human nature in its unregenerate state, apart from the transforming power of God. It's not just the physical body, but the entirety of humanity as fallen, limited, and inherently incapable of pleasing God or understanding spiritual truths on its own. This concept is further explored in passages like [Romans 7:18](/romans/7-18 "Romans 7:18 - Nothing Good Dwells in My Flesh") and [Romans 8:7-8](/romans/8-7-8 "Romans 8:7-8 - The Mind of the Flesh is Hostile to God"), where Paul explains that the mind set on the flesh is hostile to God and cannot submit to His law.

**Does "born of the Spirit" mean we become disembodied spirits?**

Answer: No, "born of the Spirit" does not mean we become disembodied or cease to be human. Instead, it signifies a spiritual regeneration, a new life imparted to our human spirit by the Holy Spirit. It's a transformation of our inner being, giving us a new nature that is capable of understanding and responding to God. While we retain our physical bodies, our spiritual orientation changes from being controlled by the "flesh" to being led by the "Spirit" ([Romans 8:9-11](/romans/8-9-11 "Romans 8:9-11 - The Spirit Dwells in You")). This spiritual birth enables us to live a life pleasing to God and to participate in His kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 3:6](/john/3-6 "John 3:6 - Born of Flesh, Born of Spirit") finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The spiritual birth described here is not an abstract theological concept but a concrete reality made possible only through Christ's redemptive sacrifice. Humanity, being "flesh," was dead in trespasses and sins, utterly incapable of generating spiritual life or bridging the chasm to a holy God ([Ephesians 2:1-3](/ephesians/2-1-3 "Ephesians 2:1-3 - Dead in Sins")). Jesus, as 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")), bore the penalty for this fallen "flesh," dying on the cross to break its power and offering a new way to life. His resurrection is the ultimate demonstration of the Spirit's power over death and the "flesh," inaugurating a new creation. It is through faith in Christ's finished work that the Holy Spirit is poured out, regenerating the believer and imparting the "spirit" (new spiritual life) that was previously absent ([Titus 3:5-7](/titus/3-5-7 "Titus 3:5-7 - Regeneration and Renewal by the Holy Spirit")). Thus, to be "born of the Spirit" is to be united with Christ, to share in His resurrection life, and to become a "new creation" in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")).

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

Galatians 5:16

[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:21

Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ezekiel 36:26

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.

Ezekiel 36:27

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].

Romans 8:4

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:9

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.