Anothen means both 'again' and 'from above,' and John's Gospel makes Nicodemus trip over that on purpose.
Anothen is built from ano, 'up' or 'above,' with a suffix that means 'from.' So its most literal sense is spatial: from a higher place, from heaven. But Greek let that spread in two directions. Because 'above' can mean 'earlier' in a sequence, anothen also means from the start, from way back. And because starting over means going back to the beginning, it slides naturally into meaning 'again,' 'anew.'
The word covers all three without strain. Luke uses it for tracing events from their origin. Acts uses it for something known for a long time. James uses it for gifts and wisdom that come down from God. John uses it in a conversation where both 'again' and 'from above' are true at once, and neither speaker is sure which one the other means.
Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born anothen, and the two senses collide in the same breath.
Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
Luke says he has traced everything anothen, from the very beginning, before writing his account.
They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the strictest sect of our religion.
Paul says the Jews have known him anothen, for a long time, if they would testify to it.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
Every good gift comes down anothen, from above, from the Father of lights.
Translators pick a lane depending on context, and the English words scatter: 'again' in John 3:3 and 3:7, sometimes with a footnote offering 'from above' as an alternative; 'from the beginning' in Luke 1:3; 'for a long time' or 'for years' in Acts 26:5; 'from above' in James 1:17 and 3:17. Each choice is defensible, but stacking them side by side is the only way to see it is one word working several angles, not several words that happen to look alike.
People often treat John 3:3 as settled: Jesus said 'born again,' full stop, and any mention of 'from above' is a liberal dodge. But the ambiguity is the point of the scene. Nicodemus hears 'again' and asks about re-entering the womb; the double meaning of anothen is what makes his confusion make sense, not a modern translator's invention.
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