What Did Jesus Mean By Saying, "You Must Be Born Again"?

What did Jesus mean by saying, "You must be born again?"

Chicago Church of Christ welcomes all learners at all levels in their spiritual journey with the Lord. Below, we analyze the lessons from Jesus in John 3:3.

Jesus once said to Nicodemus that in order to see the Kingdom of God, he must be born again. Taken from the book of John, this famous verse is one that Christians all over the world are familiar with, and should take comfort in. This lesson from Jesus is often referenced in baptisms, as baptism symbolizing the process that takes place when one is born again in Christ.

The entirety of John 3 is a very powerful passage of the bible. Virtually everyone recognizes the weight of John 3:16, which is a part of the same biblical story as John 3:3. In John 3:16, the bible tells Christians that God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Considering John 3:3 in light of the entire passage, and in particular, John 3:16, can help Christians understand God’s message more clearly. If you’re interested in taking a deep dive into Jesus’ words when he declared Christians “must be born again,” read on.

John 3:3 – Jesus Says that Christians Must be Born Again.

In the New International Version of the Bible, John 3:3 reads:

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

In the New Living translation, the verse reads:

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

And lastly, the Amplified Bible provides the following:

Jesus answered him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.”

Taken together, we can clearly see the point of the message, no matter which version of the bible you prefer as a believer. The weight of John 3:3 gives credence to the fact that the Bible is still so relatable to our lives today. Through reading its true and accurate lessons, our lives can be transformed.

The verses that follow John 3:3 are helpful in providing a bit more context to the words of Jesus when speaking of the entrance into the Kingdom of God. As with almost any one particular verse, its true message relies in large part on its setting within an entire passage. John 3 reads as follows:

Jesus Teaches Nicodemus

1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.

2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.

6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’

8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?

11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.

12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?

13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.

14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,

15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Lessons from John 3:3:

John 3 is a powerful passage, where Jesus speaks of the new spiritual life that can only be found through the acceptance of God’s love and the decision to open your heart to the Lord. Jesus encourages Nicodemus, as he encourages us, to believe, even though “no one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven.”

The passage in its entirety speaks to faith in what Christians have not seen in the physical realm, but yet know to be true in the spiritual realm: the perfect holiness of God. Jesus also makes believers a solemn promise: everyone who believes will have eternal life in him. This is not an eternal physical life, but something much more powerful: eternal life in heaven with God.

Finding Your Church Home

If you seek God, you will not be turned away. 1 Chronicles 28:9 and 2 Chronicles 15:2 says if you seek Him, you will find Him. If you are looking for a church home where you can be fully supported in your salvation and in your journey with the Lord, Chicago Church of Christ welcomes you with open arms. We are a community of imperfect people striving to love God and each other just as God loved us. We will always welcome you to take part in fellowship with us at our sermons or at any of our free and open community events.