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Verse Takeaways
1
Known by Its Effects
Jesus uses the wind to explain that we shouldn't reject a spiritual truth just because we can't fully understand its mechanics. Commentators explain that just as we believe in the wind by hearing its sound and seeing its effects on the trees, we should believe in the new birth by seeing its effects in a person's transformed life—a change from sinfulness to holiness, from selfishness to love for God.
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Book Overview
John
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Commentaries
16
Albert Barnes
On John 3:8
18th Century
Theologian
The wind bloweth, etc. Nicodemus had objected to the doctrine because he did not understand how it could be. Jesus shows him that…
AT Robertson
On John 3:8
The wind (το πνευμα). In Greek πνευμα means either wind or spirit as spiritus does in Latin (so also in Hebrew and Syriac).…
Charles Ellicott
On John 3:8
19th Century
Bishop
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof.—Better (see Note below), the Spirit breathes w…
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Charles Spurgeon
On John 3:7–8
19th Century
Preacher
Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again. The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but cannot tell from where i…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On John 3:8
Jesus asserted that the entrance into the kingdom of God that Nicodemus desired could not be achieved by legalism or outward conformity. It require…
John Calvin
On John 3:8
16th Century
Theologian
The wind blows where it pleases. This is not to say, strictly speaking, that there is will in the blowing, but because its moveme…
John Gill
On John 3:8
17th Century
Pastor
The wind blows where it lists;
For ought any mortal can say, or do to the contrary: and so the Spirit of God is a fr…
Matthew Henry
On John 3:1–8
17th Century
Minister
Nicodemus was afraid, or ashamed to be seen with Christ, and therefore came in the night. When religion is out of fashion, there are many Nicodemit…