Textual Tuesday 07/28

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
~ John 3:5

Some will teach the water mentioned here in John 3:5 is referring to the practice of water baptism for remission of sins. Some say this teaches water baptism which places you into the local church body. Others will say that the water spoken of in this verse is referring to man’s physical birth, noting that Nicodemus had made reference to such.

Which interpretation is correct? Or is there another?

My gleanings:

Nicodemus is a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews. He is a teacher of the law. He comes to Jesus to examine him and his ministry. Immediately, Jesus tells Nicodemus that for a man to see (understand) the kingdom of God, he must be born again. We know Jesus is speaking of a spiritual things, but Nicodemus is thinking after the flesh. We see that in his response about a man entering into his mother’s womb a second time. Jesus expounds further to Nicodemus about the new birth when he says that "unless a man is born or water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

Jesus continues to address the spiritual, not the physical.

Scripture shows us that Holy Spirit is represented in the similitude of water. Jesus himself used the symbolism of water when speaking of the Holy Spirit.

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:38-39)

“But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14)

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1Corinthians 12:13)

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5)

As physical water can spring up, flow, quench thirst, wash and cleanse, so is the spiritual work of the Holy Spirit likened.

Is therefore the water Jesus speaks of in John 3:5 referring of a ‘physical’ birth or a ‘physical’ water baptism? Probably not.

Consider the following verses.

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." (Isaiah 12:2-3)

"For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:" (Isaiah 44:3)

"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God." (Ezekiel 36:25-28)

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit." (Joel 2:28-29)

Did Jesus chose his terminology purposively in his conversation with this ruler of the Jews? I think so.

As a teacher of the law, Nicodemus would have been familiar with these passages. They should have come to his mind and he should have understood the spiritual things Jesus was speaking of when he spoke of the water and the Spirit. However, he did not understand.

Why?

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:5)

And as Jesus said, “that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (vs. 6)

In order for Nicodemus to see (understand) and to enter the kingdom of God, he needed to be born of the Spirit of God. For…“It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing…” (John 6:63)


Conclusion: There is at least one other possible interpretation to consider regarding verse five of John chapter three.