John 3:4 (B)

Now, some commentators say that the Jews are already familiar with the idea of rebirth. When Gentiles are converted to the Jewish faith, it entails such a reorientation of their entire lifestyle that they are said to be reborn. Therefore, Nicodemus must have some idea of what Jesus is talking about. According to these commentators, the issue here is that the Jews would never apply the idea of rebirth to themselves, since in their minds this is something that only the Gentiles need. And this is supposed to explain this reaction from Nicodemus.

However, this explanation makes no sense. The response shows that Nicodemus is shocked at the thought that something seemingly impossible is required for anyone to even see the kingdom of God. But if these commentators are correct, Nicodemus should express surprise at his need for a new birth, and not the very idea of a new birth.

In fact, elsewhere in the Gospel of John when Jesus says to the Jews, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free," they reply, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" To this, Jesus declares, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin…. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (see John 8:31-59).

When these Jews deny that they are under bondage, when they deny that they need to be "set free," they do not question the very idea of being "set free" as if they do not understand, but they appeal to their lineage to deny that they are under bondage. So if something similar is happening in John 3, and if Nicodemus is merely denying that he needs to be reborn like the Gentiles, then it makes no sense for him to speak as if he questions the very idea or the very possibility of being reborn.

Although the commentators who take the above position do not point out this problem in their interpretation, they do realize that to say "Surely this cannot happen, can it?" is very different than to say "I do not need this to happen to me." So they suggest that the rhetorical question from Nicodemus is intended to be a sarcastic response. But this is beginning to seem like that the commentators are making things up as they go along. If their interpretation is inconsistent with the speaker's statement, then the speaker is just being sarcastic. It is sufficient to say that this interpretation lacks justification, and has not been established.

(to be continued)

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