Bible Strands
John 3:7
Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to a listener (Greek ὑμᾶς renders as plural “you”) immediately after contrasting physical descent with spiritual origin. The words — δεῖ (dei) = “it is necessary for,” and γεννηθῆναι (gennēthēnai) = “to be born,” which together frame the rebirth command as an unavoidable requirement rather than a suggestion. The thread — The necessity of spiritual rebirth appears in John 3:3, while the biblical pattern of discarding the former nature and presenting a renewed life runs through Ephesians 4:22 and Romans 12:1. Why it lands — The text requires the reader to accept that spiritual transformation is mandatory and cannot be achieved through natural lineage or human effort.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Cross-references
- John 3:3 Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
- Ephesians 4:22 to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
- Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
- John 3:12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
- 1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.
- Revelation 21:27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who practices an abomination or a lie, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
- Matthew 13:33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour, until all of it was leavened.”
- Colossians 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
- Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
- 1 Peter 1:14 As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance.