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name, when they saw the miracles which he 24 did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto 25 them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man for he knew what was in man.

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CHAP. III.

THERE was a man of the Pharisees, named 2 Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: This man came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we are convinced that thou art a teacher come from God for no man can do the miracles which thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.* 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be 5 born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily I say unto thee, except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom 6 of God. That which is born of the flesh, is

Here is reference, probably, to the Jewish mode of proselyting. When a person professed Judaism, he was obliged to be washed with water, to have a new name, to renounce his former acquaintance and even his relations, and was called a new creature. This is alluded to in Luke xiv.26.

t If by kingdom of God here and in the third verse, we understand the Christian church, as in most other places in the gospel, the meaning is, that those who would be the disciples of Jesus must be baptized and receive miraculous gifts. See Mat. xviii. 3.

flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is 7 Spirit.* Be not surprised that I said unto you, 8 Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth

*This conversation between Christ and Nicodemus is a very interesting one. Nicodemus was of the sect of the Pharisees, and a teacher among the Jews. He appears to have been in suspense whether Jesus were the Christ. Expecting a temporal prince in the Messiah, he was probably perplexed at the humble state of the prophet of Nazareth: and yet a conviction of Christ's miracles led him to conclude he was divinely assisted. He came to our Lord with a view 40 obtain satisfaction respecting this extraordinary person, whose miracles had become a subject of great notoriety and astonishment. But he came in a private manner, and by night; probably from a fear of exposing himself to the hatred of his sect. Our Savior informed him that no one could discern or perceive the kingdom of God (or of the Messiah) except he was enlightened by the Divine Spir it. And that a public acknowledgment of the gospel, and professing penitence, (a token of which was baptism with water,) were necessary for those who would become his disciples. The Jews, it is said, in making proselytes to their religion from the heathens, required them to be baptized, gave them a new name, and said they had become new men. To this practice, Christ may allude in his reply to Nicodemus. But it would appear that more than this is meant: Because the Jewish teacher did not understand the declaration of our Savior. And by saying, that a man must be born from above, and born of the Spirit, it is evident Christ had reference to the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit, which are requisite in forming a really good man; or to the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, which his first disciples would receive. The former, we apprehend, our Lord had particularly in view, in this conversation with the Jewish ruler. He would have Nicodemus understand, that he could not be considered a proper member of the Messiah's kingdom, without an open and decided declaration in favor of Jesus, and a change of views and affections; from a worldly temper, to a spirit of humility, self-denial, and hea venly mindedness.

where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of 9 the Spirit. Then Nicodemus said unto him, 10 How can these things be? Jesus replied and

said unto him, Art thou a teacher in Israel, 11 and knowest not these things? Verily, verily

I say unto thee, we speak that we know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not 12 our witness. If I have told you earthly things,

and ye believe not, how will ye believe if I tell you 13 of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he who came down from heaven, even the Son of man, who is in heaven.* 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be 15 lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

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For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting 17 life. For God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him, is not condemned:

Whose home, whose permanent abode is in heaven. What need of other instruction than reason gives? Because reason teaches nothing decisive respecting the divine forgiveness, or a future state of retribution. What is declared in this passage on the former subject, and in the fifth chap. 28, 29, of a future judgment, affords us information of the highest importance, as it respects both the morals and the hopes of mankind; and fully vindicates the divine character in sending an heavenly messenger, possessed of miraculous powers, to establish these interesting truths.

but he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the 19 only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, 20 because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.t

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After these things Jesus and his disciples came into the land of Judea ; and there he abode with them and baptized.

And John also was baptizing in Enon, near Salim; because there was much water there; 24 and they came and were baptized. (For John was not yet cast into prison.)

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Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. 26 And they came to John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, he baptizeth, 27 and all men come to him. John answered and

said, A man can receive nothing, except it be 28 given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear

me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, 29 but that I am sent before him. He that hath

* He who practises according to moral truth and virtue. That is, agreeable to God, or according to the divine will.

That is, many springs or streams; and travellers say they are not deep.

That is, baptizing. The dispute probably was, as to the design and object of John's baptism.

the bride, is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly, because of the bridegroom's voice. This my joy therefore is com30 plete. He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He that cometh from above, is above all he

that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above 32 all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he

testifieth; though no man receiveth his testi33 mony. He that hath received his testimony, 34 hath set to his seal that God is true. For he

whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure 35 unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and 36 hath given all things into his hands.* He that believeth on the Son, hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

CHAP. IV.

1 NOW when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard, that Jesus made and baptized 2 more disciples than John, (though it was not 3 Jesus, but his disciples who baptized,) he left 4 Judea, and departed again into Galilee. And

* May he not then be worshipped, as the Son of God ? See chap. v. 23.

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