Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 3:9

"Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?" — John 3:9 (ASV)

Nicodemus’s question “How can this be?” should not be interpreted as an exclamation expressing incredulity. Rather, it is a plea for direction. He wanted to know how this experience could become his. Nothing in the Judaism he knew offered anything like this. The answer of Jesus accords with the words of Ezekiel in Eze 36:25–28.

Proselytes to Judaism were washed completely, issued new clothing, and then received into the commonwealth of the people of God; but Israelites were regarded as sons of Abraham and children of God by covenant from birth. In effect, Jesus was telling Nicodemus that his descent from Abraham was not adequate ground for salvation. He would have to repent and begin a new life in the Spirit if he expected to enter the kingdom of God (cf. 8:37–44).

Jesus illustrated his point by a play on words applicable both in Hebrew and Greek. The word translated “spirit” also means “wind” (GK 4460). Verse 8 could be rendered “The Spirit breathes where he wills.” NIV and other translations are undoubtedly correct in using “wind,” for the allusion to sound in the second sentence would not make much sense in sequence with “spirit.” Possibly Nicodemus called on Jesus at the time when the evening wind was blowing through the city, so that it was a ready illustration.