John Chapter 3 · Verse 7
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Original Language Analysis
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
1 of 9
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
3 of 9
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Δεῖ
must
G1163
Δεῖ
must
Strong's:
G1163
Word #:
6 of 9
also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)
Cross References
John 3:3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.Revelation 21:27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.1 Peter 1:22Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:Hebrews 12:14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:Colossians 1:12Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:Job 15:14What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?John 3:12If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
Historical Context
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and Sanhedrin member, represented Judaism's spiritual elite. Jesus' radical statement that even he needed new birth challenged first-century Judaism's assumption that Abrahamic descent guaranteed God's favor.
Questions for Reflection
- Have you experienced the new birth Jesus describes, or are you trusting in religious activity?
- Why is spiritual rebirth necessary rather than moral improvement?
Analysis & Commentary
Christ's emphatic 'Ye must be born again' (Greek 'anothen'—both 'again' and 'from above') stresses the absolute necessity of regeneration, not religious reform. This confronts all human-centered salvation schemes. The universal 'ye' (plural) indicates no one is exempt—even Pharisees need spiritual rebirth. Titus 3:5 echoes this: salvation is 'by the washing of regeneration', not by works.