John 3:1-21

The Central Idea of the Text is that a Jewish leader visits Jesus—believing He is from God—and Jesus educates him concerning his need to be born again in order to enter the kingdom of God. Nicodemus is a Pharisee, ruler (John 3:1), and teacher in Israel (John 3:10).  He appears positive to Jesus, so he came to Him seeking discussion (John 3:2; cf. John 7:50-51); however, he also appears fearful, and this is most likely why he visited Him at night (John 3:2; cf. John 9:22; 12:42-43).  By the end of Jesus’ ministry, Nicodemus publicly aligned himself with Jesus (John 19:38-39).  Jesus explained to Nicodemus the necessity of being born again, which means that a person must be given spiritual life from heaven (John 3:3-11; cf. 1 Pet. 1:3, 23).  Jesus then explained to Nicodemus how to be born again (John 3:12-21).  For John, eternal life was conditioned solely on a person’s personal faith in Jesus as the Christ (John 3:16-18; 20:31; cf. Acts 4:12; 16:30-31; Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 3:5).  We learn later that only those who are drawn by the Father will believe (John 6:40, 44, 65; cf. Matt. 16:15-17; Acts 13:48; Eph. 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13).