Gospel of John –Lesson 8

By Joyce Webb 2025

John Chp. 3 Vs.1-17

A man named Nicodemus—a ruler or religious leader—of the Jews—-came to see Jesus at night.

He called Jesus, Rabbi,—a person who knows the scripture very well and is able to teach it.

Nicodemus said to Jesus—-We know that you are a teacher come from God—-because no man can do these miracles that you do—unless God is with him.

Jesus answered him—Truly, I say to you—-Unless a man be born again—he can not see the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus said—How can a man be born when he is old?
Can he enter into his mother’s womb again and be born?

Jesus said—Unless a man be born of water and of the spirit—-he can not enter into the kingdom of God.

(Bible teachers think that the “water” means the Word of God.
That we receive spiritual cleansing (cleaning) as the Word of God shows us God’s ways—and we see our ways as sinful.

The “spirit” as the Holy Spirit speaking to our spirit and comes into our spirit—- to be our guide and teacher and —–helper to live as God wants us to live.)

That which is born of the flesh—is flesh; —but that which is born of the spirit—is spirit.

(We are born of human parents (flesh body)–but we also have a “spirit”—given to us from God—a spirit that will live forever—somewhere.—-heaven or hell.)

Do not marvel (be surprised) that I said—You must be born again.

(Meaning—the spirit was at one time—alive and connected to God—-but in the Garden of Eden—man (and woman) disobeyed God—that disobedience broke the connection to God—and spiritual death came to them.

That “spirit” in man needs to be “born again” to connect again to God as it was in the beginning.
Sin (disobedience) has to be forgiven— for the “connection” to God to be made again.)

Vs. 8 The wind blows where it will, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes.

(A person can hear the wind, and feel the wind, and see the effects the wind has on things—like the tree branches moving, etc.—-but a person can not explain where it comes from or goes.

Being born of the spirit is like that. The Sprit of God moves to speak to people in their minds and spirits. It is not something that can be explained. You can not see it. You can feel it.

The Spirit makes people feel guilty for their sins. The Spirit pulls people to God to ask for forgiveness—to talk to God—to make things right with God.

As the wind has an effect on tree branches and other things—the Spirit also has an effect on people.

The Spirit changes a person.
They think differently afterwards. They live differently.

Nicodemus said—What do you mean? How can this be?

Vs. 10 Jesus said—You are a religious teacher of Israel (the Jews) and yet you do not know these things (how the Spirit of God works in people)?

Vs. 11 We speak of that which we know. We testify (give testimony) of what we have seen—-and yet you do not receive and believe our testimony (telling of what happened).

Vs. 12 If I have told you of earthly things, and you did not believe, how can I tell you of heavenly things?

Vs. 13 No man has gone up into heaven, but he that came down from heaven—-even the Son of Man—which is in heaven.

(In Vs. 11—Jesus uses the word “We” and “our”—-Jesus is speaking of himself in the plural (meaning more than one).
Jesus is speaking of himself, the Holy Spirit, and God the Father—”We”—the Trinity.

In Genesis 1:26 “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”

Vs. 13 No man has gone up into heaven—but he that came down from heaven—-even the Son of Man.

Jesus has not gone up into heaven yet at this time—he will later—but Jesus is telling Nicodemus that he came down from heaven.

The question is—does Nicodemus believe that Jesus came down from heaven— and is the Son of God?

Nicodemus said in verse 2 that he believed Jesus was come from God and God was with Jesus. Is Nicodemus truly believing that Jesus is the Son of God?)

Vs. 14 Jesus said—As Moses lifted up the serpent (snake) (on a wooden cross)—in the wilderness (grass fields)—so must the Son of Man be lifted up.

Jesus is saying that he will be put on a wooden cross and be lifted up for all to see.

Vs. 15 So that who ever believes in him (the one lifted up—Jesus)
They would not perish–(die)—-but have eternal life.

Vs. 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

(This is a verse that many people memorize.)

Vs. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world: but that the world through him might be saved.

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Questions Gospel of John –Lesson 8

By Joyce Webb 2025

John Chp. 3 Vs.1- 17

1. Who came to talk to Jesus? __________________________

2. This was not an ordinary man—in what way was he “special”?
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3. Most of the Jewish religious leaders did not like Jesus. Why do you think this man came to Jesus at night? __________________
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4. Jesus told him that he needed to be _______________ again.

5. What did Jesus mean by that? ________________________
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6. Does this mean that every person needs to do the same?
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7. Write the words in John 3:16 ________________________
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Have you memorized this verse? _____________