Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 3:5

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God!" — John 3:5 (ASV)

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 of God.

There must be a purifying operation upon his heart and mind, he must be spiritually washed and cleansed, and the Spirit of God must create him anew; otherwise he cannot possibly enter into the kingdom of God.

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say to you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

The entrance into that kingdom is by a new birth in which water and the Spirit of God are both necessary. There is a cleansing, and there is a new creation. There is the cleansing water of the merit of Christ, and there is the divine operation of the Spirit of God.

Or, if the Savior only means entrance into his visible kingdom, then it is through baptism that the man outwardly makes his profession of faith in Christ. It is through the Spirit of God alone, however, that he really enters into the kingdom of God. Note the distinction between seeing the kingdom and entering into it; no man can even see the kingdom of God, much less enter it, except by that new birth which is worked only by the Holy Spirit.

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 of God.

If the water here signifies baptism – note well, if it does – then observe that there is no entering into the kingdom without it. I do not think that baptism is intended here at all, but rather the purifying influence of the Word of God, symbolized by water. We might read the verse: Except a man be born of water, even of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. A great change of character is necessary for entrance into the kingdom; seeing the kingdom is one thing, and entering it is another matter. Yet one cannot even see the kingdom of God without being born again, or born from above.

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 of God.

He cannot be Christ's professed disciple unless he receives the Spirit, and unless he is baptized – if the water here relates to baptism at all, which we judge it does not. He must be renewed, washed, and purified. That must be the water; and he must have the Holy Ghost dwelling in him, or else, as he cannot see, so he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.