There are various interpretations of this passage, many of which seem to be somewhat of a stretch from a theological standpoint. Sometimes I believe we overcomplicate the meaning of God’s Word in attempting to explain it.
I have read some writers who believe Jesus is referring here to water baptism as an essential ingredient of salvation. They see salvation as being born of the Spirit of God, but add water baptism as another requirement before being “eligible” to “enter the kingdom of God.” This interpretation, however, puts it in conflict with the meaning of a number of other passages of Scripture, and is therefore unacceptable. One of the primary discrepancies with this meaning would be what Jesus told the thief on the cross: “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). And the thief never had the opportunity to be baptized!
Another interpretation is that Jesus was showing the importance of repentance, symbolized by baptism, as being important, but not sufficient for salvation. This teaching further says that what brought about salvation was an inner, transforming work of God’s Spirit within a person. While I agree with these statements as stand-alone thoughts, I don’t believe Jesus is referring to baptism in this particular passage.
If we jump to the conclusion that the Lord is referring to baptism every time the word water is used in His Word, I think we will often be mistaken. For me, this is one of those times.
As I said earlier, I think we often overcomplicate the Word of God. Yes, there are many Scriptures that have various layers of meaning, and it is often quite enlightening when we are able to “peel” them back one at a time and thereby see the magnificence of the truth of God. But this is one of those passages where I think the simplicity of the truth is quite beautiful and speaks very strongly for itself. And the meaning seems to be indicated from the context of this one verse within its surrounding verses, especially John 3:3-6. Remember—God’s Word should always be interpreted in light of its context.
So what does this passage mean? When Jesus told Nicodemus, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again,” it is obvious that Nicodemus thought Jesus was referring to being born again physically. Yet he understood enough to see the absurdity of this teaching, for he responded by saying, “How can a man be born when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!”
It is in this context, during the discussion of physical birth, that Jesus then says, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” It seems to me that what Jesus is saying is this: “Nicodemus, yes, you must be born physically. But that is not enough! You must be born spiritually as well. And that comes only from the Spirit of God.”
In thinking through this teaching, I remembered the birth of my own children. When the time came for them to be born, one of the first signs was when the sac surrounding them broke. This is what we refer to today as “the water breaking.” Physical birth is a “water birth,” but being born again is a spiritual birth.
In fact, after Jesus says to Nicodemus that the only way to see the kingdom of God is to be “born of water and the Spirit,” he confirms His meaning with His very next statement. In order to make it quite clear He means physical birth followed by spiritual birth, He says, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
Although this meaning appears quite clear and straightforward to me, I realize that some people may disagree with my interpretation. Nevertheless, regardless of our interpretation of the phrase “born of water,” there is no disagreement within historical Christian doctrine that salvation is a work of the Spirit of God, which brings about spiritual birth.
Even Nicodemus, who was referred to as “a man of the Pharisees,” “a member of the Jewish ruling council,” and one of “Israel’s teachers”; was taught by Jesus of the essential need of this spiritual rebirth by the Spirit of God. In order to see the kingdom of God, Nicodemus could not rely on his knowledge, his power, his prestige, nor his position in Jewish society to make him worthy for God’s kingdom. Even a man of his stature was required to humble himself to the truth of Jesus’ words and rely on an inner working of God’s Spirit.
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10-11).