John 3:8

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.

The wind {G4151} bloweth {G4154} where {G3699} it listeth {G2309}, and {G2532} thou hearest {G191} the sound {G5456} thereof {G846}, but {G235} canst {G1492} not {G3756} tell {G1492} whence {G4159} it cometh {G2064}, and {G2532} whither {G4226} it goeth {G5217}: so {G3779} is {G2076} every one {G3956} that is born {G1080} of {G1537} the Spirit {G4151}.

The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it’s going. That’s how it is with everyone who has been born from the Spirit.”

The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

The wind bloweth where it will, and thou hearest the voice thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Commentary

Context

The verse John 3:8 comes from a pivotal nocturnal conversation between Jesus Christ and Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews. Nicodemus approaches Jesus seeking understanding, particularly after witnessing Jesus' miraculous signs. The preceding verses (John 3:1-7) establish Jesus' teaching on the necessity of being "born again" or "born from above" to see and enter the kingdom of God. Nicodemus struggles to comprehend this spiritual rebirth, questioning how an adult can re-enter their mother's womb. Jesus uses the analogy of the wind in verse 8 to illustrate the mysterious, sovereign, and often imperceptible nature of the Spirit's work in bringing about this spiritual transformation.

Key Themes

  • The Sovereignty and Mystery of the Holy Spirit: Just as one cannot control or fully trace the wind's origin or destination, so is the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit operates according to God's will, moving freely and powerfully, beyond human comprehension or manipulation. This emphasizes God's ultimate control over salvation and spiritual rebirth.
  • Invisible Yet Evident Work: While the wind itself is invisible, its effects are clearly seen and heard (rustling leaves, moving objects). Similarly, the work of the Spirit in a person's life, though unseen in its inception, produces tangible evidence: a changed life, new desires, and a growing resemblance to Christ. This spiritual transformation is an undeniable sign of being "born of the Spirit."
  • Spiritual Rebirth: The core message reinforces the idea that becoming a true follower of Christ is not merely an intellectual assent or an outward religious observance, but a profound, supernatural work of God within the individual. This "new birth" is essential for entering into a relationship with God and His kingdom.

Linguistic Insights

A crucial insight for understanding John 3:8 lies in the original Greek word pneuma (πνεῦμα). This single word is translated as both "wind" and "Spirit" in this passage. Jesus' clever wordplay would have been immediately apparent to Nicodemus. The dual meaning highlights the analogy: just as the wind (pneuma) is invisible but its effects are felt, so too is the Holy Spirit (Pneuma) invisible, yet His work in spiritual regeneration is profoundly real and evident in the lives of those "born of the Spirit."

Practical Application

For believers today, John 3:8 offers comfort and challenge:

  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: We are reminded that salvation is a work of God, not of human effort or will. This should foster humility and deep gratitude for His grace.
  • Look for the Evidence: While we cannot command or fully comprehend the Spirit's mysterious operations, we can observe the fruit of His presence in our lives and the lives of others (e.g., Galatians 5:22-23). The authenticity of one's faith is revealed by the transformative effects of the Spirit.
  • Embrace the Mystery: Not everything about God's ways is meant to be fully understood by human reason. This verse encourages us to embrace faith in the unseen, trusting in the power and wisdom of God even when we cannot fully explain His methods.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ecclesiastes 11:4

    He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

  • Ecclesiastes 11:5

    As thou knowest not what [is] the way of the spirit, [nor] how the bones [do grow] in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:11

    For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

  • Acts 2:2

    And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

  • Ezekiel 37:9

    Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

  • 1 John 2:29

    If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

  • Mark 4:26

    And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
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