John Calvin Commentary John 3:7

"Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born anew." — John 3:7 (ASV)

Wonder not. This passage has been tortured by commentators in various ways. Some think that Christ reproves the gross ignorance of Nicodemus and other persons of the same class, by saying that it is not wonderful if they do not comprehend that heavenly mystery of regeneration, since even in the order of nature they do not perceive the reason for those things that are perceived by the senses.

Others contrive a meaning which, though ingenious, is too forced: that, “as the wind blows freely, so by the regeneration of the Spirit we are set free, and, having been freed from the yoke of sin, run voluntarily to God.” Equally removed from Christ’s meaning is the interpretation given by Augustine, that the Spirit of God exerts His power according to His own pleasure.

A better view is given by Chrysostom and Cyril, who say that the comparison is taken from the wind, and apply it in this way to the present passage: “though its power is felt, we know not its source and cause.” While I do not differ greatly from their opinion, I will endeavor to explain the meaning of Christ with greater clearness and certainty.

I hold to this principle: that Christ borrows a comparison from the order of nature. Nicodemus considered that what he had heard about regeneration and a new life was incredible, because the manner of this regeneration was beyond his understanding. To prevent him from having any doubt of this sort, Christ shows that even in physical life an amazing power of God is displayed, the reason for which is hidden.

For everyone draws their vital breath from the air; we perceive the movement of the air, but know not whence it comes to us or whither it departs. If in this frail and transitory life God acts so powerfully that we are compelled to admire His power, what folly is it to attempt to measure by the perception of our own mind His secret work in the heavenly and supernatural life, so as to believe no more than what we see?

So Paul, when he breaks out in indignation against those who reject the doctrine of the resurrection on the grounds that it is impossible that the body, which is now subject to decay, after having been reduced to dust and to nothing, should be clothed with a blessed immortality, reproaches them for stupidity in not considering that a similar display of the power of God may be seen in a grain of wheat; for the seed does not sprout until it has decayed (1 Corinthians 15:36–37). This is the astonishing wisdom of which David exclaims:

O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all,
(Psalms 104:24)

They are therefore excessively stupid who, having been warned by the common order of nature, do not rise higher to acknowledge that the hand of God is far more powerful in the spiritual kingdom of Christ.

When Christ says to Nicodemus that he ought not to wonder, we must not understand this as if He intended that we should despise a work of God so illustrious and worthy of the highest admiration. Rather, He means that we ought not to wonder with the kind of admiration that hinders our faith.

For many reject as fabulous what they think too lofty and difficult. In a word, let us not doubt that by the Spirit of God we are formed again and made new men, though His manner of doing this is hidden from us.