How can a person be born when they are old, as Nicodemus asked in John 3:4? Text of the Question “Nicodemus asked Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?’ ” (John 3:4) Immediate Context Jesus had just stated, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3). Nicodemus, a veteran teacher of Israel, responded with literal imagery. Jesus then clarified: “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Nicodemus: The Historical Figure Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a member of the Sanhedrin, and “a ruler of the Jews” (John 3:1). Rabbinic literature of the period identifies a Nicodemus ben Gorion who lived during the Second Temple era, renowned for both learning and philanthropy. This background explains why Jesus expects him to recognize scriptural allusions (John 3:10). “Born Again” or “Born From Above” The Greek verb γεννηθῇ (gennēthē) “to be born” combined with ἄνωθεν (anōthen) means “again” or “from above.” John employs double meaning—Jesus speaks of a heavenly birth; Nicodemus hears repetition of natural birth. The same wordplay appears when Jesus’ burial cloth is said to be woven “from above” (John 19:23). Old Testament Foreshadowing 1. Circumcision of Heart: Moses foretold internal transformation (Deuteronomy 30:6). 2. New Heart and Spirit: “I will sprinkle clean water on you… I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:25-27). 3. Valley of Dry Bones: Life breathed into the dead (Ezekiel 37:1-14). Jesus’ “water and Spirit” answers directly echo these prophecies. Water and Spirit • Water points to cleansing and repentance symbolized by John’s baptism and prophetic purification imagery (Ezekiel 36:25). • Spirit points to regeneration by the Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26-27; Joel 2:28-32). The two form one birth event, just as Word and Spirit acted together in Genesis 1:2-3. The Necessity of Regeneration Humanity’s fallen nature (Genesis 6:5; Romans 3:23) requires inward re-creation. Jesus equates entrance into God’s kingdom with supernatural birth, not lineage, age, or merit. Paul later summarizes: “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). How the Aged May Be Born Age is irrelevant: • Abraham was justified by faith in advanced years (Genesis 15:6). • Simeon and Anna received Messianic revelation in old age (Luke 2:25-38). • Cornelius, Lydia, and the Philippian jailer received new life instantaneously (Acts 10; 16). Regeneration is a divine act independent of biological possibility (cf. John 1:12-13). Mechanics of the New Birth 1. Conviction: The Spirit exposes sin (John 16:8). 2. Repentance and Faith: Trust in the crucified-and-risen Christ (John 3:14-16). 3. Union with Christ: Believers die and rise with Him (Romans 6:4-5). 4. Indwelling: The Spirit seals and empowers (Ephesians 1:13-14). Resurrection Power and the New Birth God’s ability to raise Jesus bodily (1 Corinthians 15:3-8) validates His power to recreate hearts. Multiple strands confirm the resurrection: • Early creed embedded in 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 dates to within five years of the event (linguistic analyses; Habermas & Licona). • Multiple independent sources—Synoptic Gospels, John, Acts, Pauline letters. • Empty tomb attested by women witnesses (criterion of embarrassment). • Long-standing manuscript evidence: P52 (c. AD 125) affirms Johannine reliability; Bodmer P66 (c. AD 175) contains John 3 intact. Archaeological Corroboration of John • John’s topography (e.g., Bethesda’s five porticoes, John 5:2) confirmed by 19th-century excavation. • Pilate inscription at Caesarea (1961) supports John 18:29-31. • First-century stone jars matching Cana’s description found near Nazareth (2015). These finds reinforce the credibility of the narrative that contains Jesus’ discourse with Nicodemus. Transformation of Lives: Behavioral Evidence Longitudinal studies on conversion (e.g., Pew 2015 Religious Landscape) report marked reduction in substance abuse and crime following evangelical new-birth testimony. Anecdotal cases like Brooklyn gang leader Nicky Cruz, author of Run Baby Run, mirror Nicodemus’s later courage (John 7:50-51; 19:39). Practical Steps Toward the New Birth 1. Recognize sin personal and universal (Romans 3:10-12). 2. Acknowledge Christ’s substitutionary death and physical resurrection (Romans 10:9). 3. Call upon Him in repentant faith: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). 4. Publicly confess through baptism, symbolizing water and Spirit reality (Acts 22:16). 5. Walk in newness of life, bearing fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). Common Objections Answered • “Regeneration is psychological”: Hundreds of millions across cultures report an external Encounter, often accompanied by miracles (e.g., medically verified blind-to-sight cases in Craig Keener, Miracles, vol. 2). • “John’s Gospel is late and embellished”: Early papyri, interlocking synoptic tradition, and coherence with archaeology undermine the claim. • “Science precludes miracles”: Natural laws describe normal patterns; the Lawgiver may act beyond them, as evidenced at the quantum level where causality is probabilistic. Summary Nicodemus’s question revealed literalism; Jesus’ answer revealed the universal necessity of divine regeneration. Whether young or old, Jew or Gentile, every person must receive supernatural birth from above by the Holy Spirit through faith in the crucified and risen Christ. Only then do we “see” and “enter” the kingdom of God—and only then does a life, however advanced in years, truly begin. |
    |