Born Again
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. John 3:5 · Berean Standard Bible
Jesus answered, 'I'm telling you the truth — you can't enter God's kingdom unless you're born of water and the Spirit.'
Jesus wasn't talking about physical birth or ritual washing alone. He was describing a total transformation — cleaned and made new by God's Spirit.
Jesus goes deeper, explaining what this new birth actually involves.
Water and Spirit — cleansing and new life. Jesus was describing a complete makeover of the soul, something only God can do. And it's the entry ticket to His kingdom.
Jesus elaborates: entry into God's kingdom requires birth of water and the Spirit (Greek: ex hydatos kai pneumatos).
The phrase 'born of water and Spirit' has been interpreted variously: baptism and Spirit, natural birth and spiritual birth, or an allusion to Ezekiel 36:25-27 where God promises cleansing water and a new spirit.
Jesus explains the twofold nature of the new birth: water and Spirit.
Jesus deepens the requirement: the kingdom demands not merely moral improvement but a divine regeneration involving both cleansing (water) and empowering (Spirit) — an echo of Ezekiel's new covenant promise.
3Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
4“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?”
5Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
6Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit.
7Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’
Read all of John 3 — A religious leader comes at night with questions he can't ask in daylight. The conversation contains the most quoted verse in history.
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