“Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” (John 3:3)
One night, a man came to Jesus. It was Nicodemus, a Pharisee. He was a leader of the Jews and was curious about Jesus. He said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do the signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Astonished by this answer, Nicodemus asked how that is possible. Surely a person cannot enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time?
Again Jesus answered, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” The water indicates the cleansing from sin. The Holy Spirit works the new life that is from God. Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about heavenly things. Later he understood that. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)