Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a well respected Jew. Unlike some of the others he was not opposed to Jesus. In fact, his opening comments could be taken to imply that the Pharisees as a whole were not vehemently opposed to Jesus at this stage. Though the fact that he went to see Jesus at night could be because he was reluctant to be seen fraternising with Jesus.
Nicodemus came complementing Jesus, saying that the signs Jesus performed could only come from a man of God. Jesus responds by turning the focus directly onto Nicodemus. People often make comments about respecting Jesus, or something along those lines, but they have still to make a personal commitment to Him. Nicodemus talked in general terms, but the "you" in Jesus' response was singular.
Being born again can equally be translated "born from above". Nicodemus clearly interpreted it as a second birth, and considered the prospect ridiculous. In order to enter the kingdom of God we need to be born of the Spirit. No amount of human effort, or human wisdom will get us there. We need to direct intervention of God. Entering the kingdom of God is not merely a matter of making a few adjustments, it is about a completely new life.
There are various interpretations of Jesus' words that we need to be born of water and the Spirit. It is the water part where there are differences of opinion:
Nicodemus came complementing Jesus, saying that the signs Jesus performed could only come from a man of God. Jesus responds by turning the focus directly onto Nicodemus. People often make comments about respecting Jesus, or something along those lines, but they have still to make a personal commitment to Him. Nicodemus talked in general terms, but the "you" in Jesus' response was singular.
Being born again can equally be translated "born from above". Nicodemus clearly interpreted it as a second birth, and considered the prospect ridiculous. In order to enter the kingdom of God we need to be born of the Spirit. No amount of human effort, or human wisdom will get us there. We need to direct intervention of God. Entering the kingdom of God is not merely a matter of making a few adjustments, it is about a completely new life.
There are various interpretations of Jesus' words that we need to be born of water and the Spirit. It is the water part where there are differences of opinion:
- Water refers to John's baptism. There is certainly a need for repentence (Acts 2:38).
- Water refers to Christian baptism. Seems highly unlikely as Christian baptism would have meant nothing to Nicodemus at the time.
- Water refers to natural birth. Seems reasonable.
- Water refers to Spirit as well. In this case seems a bit tautologous.
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