Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - John 3:3 - 3:3
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
3. ἀπεκρίθη. He answers his thoughts (Joh 5:17; Luk 7:40). Nicodemus wonders whether Jesus is about to set up a kingdom. see on Joh 2:25 and Joh 1:51.
ἐὰν μή τις. Except one be born: quite indefinite. Nicodemus changes τις to ἄνθρωπος.
ἄνωθεν. The strict meaning is either 1. ‘from above’ literally (Mat 27:51; Mar 15:38), or 2. ‘from above’ figuratively (Jam 1:17; Jam 3:15; Jam 3:17), or 3. ‘from the beginning’ (Luk 1:3; Act 26:5). S. John uses ἄνωθεν thrice elsewhere; Joh 19:23, ‘from above’ literally; Joh 3:23 and Joh 19:11, ‘from above’ figuratively. This favours the rendering ‘from above’ here, which is generally adopted by the Greek Fathers from Origen onwards. Moreover ‘to be born from above’ recalls being ‘born of God’ in Joh 1:13 (comp. 1Jn 3:9; 1Jn 4:7; 1Jn 5:1; 1Jn 5:4; 1Jn 5:18). But ‘from the beginning’ easily shades off into ‘afresh’ or ‘over again’ (Gal 4:9 we have πάλιν ἄνωθεν combined). Hence from very early times this has been one of the interpretations of ἄνωθεν here, preserved in the Peschito, Ethiopic, and Latin Versions. It confirms the rendering ‘over again’ or ‘anew’ to find Justin Martyr (Apol. I. lxi) quoting ἂν μὴ ἀναγεννηθῆτε, οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς τ. βας. τ. οὐρανῶν as words of Christ (see on Joh 1:23 and Joh 9:1): ἀναγεννᾶσθαι must mean ‘to be reborn.’ Comp. Christ’s reply to S. Peter in the beautiful legend of the ‘Domine, quo vadis?’, ἄνωθεν μέλλω σταυρωθῆναι: where ἄνωθεν σταυροῦν doubtless represents the ἀνασταυροῦν (crucify afresh) of Heb 6:6.
οὐ δύναται. It is a moral impossibility; not ‘shall not’ but ‘cannot.’ see on Joh 7:7.
ἰδεῖν. i.e. so as to partake of it: so ἰδεῖν θάνατον, Luk 2:26; θάνατον θεωρεῖν Joh 8:51; comp. Psa 16:10; Psa 90:15.
τ. βας. τ. θεοῦ. This phrase, so common in the Synoptists, occurs only here and Joh 3:5 in S. John. We may conclude that it was the very phrase used. It looks back to the theocracy, and indicates the Messianic kingdom on earth, the new state of salvation.
Had Jesus been a mere enthusiast, would He have given so chilling a reply (comp. Joh 3:10) to a member of the Sanhedrin? Would He not have been eager to make the most of such an opening?