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.
Original Language Analysis
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύματος
The wind
G4151
πνεύματος
The wind
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
2 of 26
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
θέλει
it listeth
G2309
θέλει
it listeth
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
4 of 26
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φωνὴν
the sound
G5456
φωνὴν
the sound
Strong's:
G5456
Word #:
8 of 26
a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language
αὐτοῦ
thereof
G846
αὐτοῦ
thereof
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
11 of 26
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
οἶδας
canst
G1492
οἶδας
canst
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
13 of 26
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
πόθεν
whence
G4159
πόθεν
whence
Strong's:
G4159
Word #:
14 of 26
from which (as interrogative) or what (as relative) place, state, source or cause
ἔρχεται
it cometh
G2064
ἔρχεται
it cometh
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
15 of 26
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ποῦ
whither
G4226
ποῦ
whither
Strong's:
G4226
Word #:
17 of 26
as adverb of place; at (by implication, to) what locality
ὑπάγει·
it goeth
G5217
ὑπάγει·
it goeth
Strong's:
G5217
Word #:
18 of 26
to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γεγεννημένος
that is born
G1080
γεγεννημένος
that is born
Strong's:
G1080
Word #:
23 of 26
to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
24 of 26
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
Cross References
1 Corinthians 2:11For 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 2:2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.Ezekiel 37:9Then 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 2:29If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.Acts 4:31And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.1 Corinthians 12:11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.John 1:13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.Psalms 107:25For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.Psalms 107:29He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Historical Context
Wind imagery for God's Spirit appears in the Old Testament (Ezekiel 37:9, Genesis 1:2). Jesus teaches that the Spirit works sovereignly—not according to human expectation or manipulation. Effects are observable (changed lives) even when the mechanism remains mysterious. This humbles human pretension to control spiritual realities.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the wind analogy humble human attempts to control or predict God's work?
- What 'effects' of the Spirit's work have you observed in your own life or others'?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus uses wind as an analogy for the Spirit's work: '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 same Greek word 'pneuma' means both wind and spirit. The analogy emphasizes sovereign unpredictability—we experience the Spirit's effects without controlling or fully understanding His movements. Regeneration is real but mysterious.