John records that Nicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus by night. He acknowledged Him as a teacher from God, but Jesus immediately spoke of the need for new birth:
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” (John 3:3)
Nicodemus struggled to grasp this truth, responding:
“Nicodemus said to 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?’” (John 3:4)
Jesus clarified that He was not speaking of physical birth but spiritual rebirth:
“Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.”’” (John 3:5–7)
Nicodemus struggled because, as a Pharisee, he was deeply rooted in the idea that righteousness came through keeping the Law and external obedience. The concept of inner transformation by the Spirit was foreign to his way of thinking. Jesus pointed him to the truth that entrance into God’s kingdom is not earned by heritage or works but comes through the new birth given by the Spirit.
Jesus then drew from Israel’s history to explain further:
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:14–15)
Nicodemus’ struggle reflects the common difficulty of moving from reliance on human effort to dependence on God’s grace. Being “born again” is a work of the Spirit, and Jesus revealed that salvation would come through His own death and resurrection, not through human striving.
