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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

John 3:8–14

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
¶ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

35 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 8

  1. Ecclesiastes 11:4–5Rank 1 from verse 8
    Open

    4He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

    5As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

  2. 1 Corinthians 2:11Rank 2 from verse 8
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    11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

  3. Acts 2:2Rank 3 from verse 8
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    2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

  4. Ezekiel 37:9Rank 4 from verse 8
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    9Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

  5. 1 John 2:29Rank 5 from verse 8
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    29If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

From verse 9

  1. Isaiah 42:16Rank 1 from verse 9
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    16And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

  2. John 6:52Rank 2 from verse 9
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    52The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

  3. John 6:60Rank 3 from verse 9
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    60Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

  4. Luke 1:34Rank 4 from verse 9
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    34Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

  5. John 3:4Rank 5 from verse 9
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    4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

From verse 10

  1. Matthew 22:29Rank 1 from verse 10
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    29Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

  2. Jeremiah 8:8–9Rank 2 from verse 10
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    8How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain.

    9The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them?

  3. Ezekiel 11:19Rank 3 from verse 10
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    19And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

  4. Matthew 15:14Rank 4 from verse 10
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    14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

  5. Ezekiel 36:25–27Rank 5 from verse 10
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    25¶ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

    26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

    27And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

From verse 11

  1. John 8:38Rank 1 from verse 11
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    38I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

  2. 1 John 5:6–12Rank 2 from verse 11
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    6This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

    7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

    8And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

    9If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

    10He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

    11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

    12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

  3. John 1:18Rank 3 from verse 11
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    18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

  4. John 12:49Rank 4 from verse 11
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    49For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

  5. John 14:24Rank 5 from verse 11
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    24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

From verse 12

  1. 1 Corinthians 3:1–2Rank 1 from verse 12
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    1AND I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

    2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

  2. 1 Corinthians 2:7–9Rank 2 from verse 12
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    7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

    8Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

    9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

  3. Hebrews 5:11Rank 3 from verse 12
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    11Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

  4. John 3:31–36Rank 4 from verse 12
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    31He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

    32And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.

    33He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

    34For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

    35The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

    36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

  5. 1 Peter 2:1–3Rank 5 from verse 12
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    1WHEREFORE laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

    2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

    3If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

From verse 13

  1. Proverbs 30:4Rank 1 from verse 13
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    4Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?

  2. Acts 2:34Rank 2 from verse 13
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    34For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

  3. John 6:38Rank 3 from verse 13
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    38For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

  4. John 1:18Rank 4 from verse 13
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    18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

  5. 1 Corinthians 15:47Rank 5 from verse 13
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    47The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

From verse 14

  1. Numbers 21:7–9Rank 1 from verse 14
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    7¶ Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

    8And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

    9And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

  2. John 8:28Rank 2 from verse 14
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    28Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

  3. John 12:32–34Rank 3 from verse 14
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    32And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

    33This he said, signifying what death he should die.

    34The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

  4. Luke 24:26–27Rank 4 from verse 14
    Open

    26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

    27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

  5. Luke 24:44–46Rank 5 from verse 14
    Open

    44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

    45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

    46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

John 3:8

COMBINED MEANING

wind

↗

Sense 1: Air in motion; a current of air. Sense 2: Breath or a movement of air from breathing. Sense 3: By figure, something empty, unstable, or passing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

sound

↗

Sense 1: Sound: an audible noise, voice, report, or message. Sense 2: As an adjective, healthy, whole, firm, or free from error. Sense 3: As a verb, to make a noise, play or blow an instrument, or give a signal.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

tell

↗

1. To speak, relate, declare, report, inform, explain, reveal, recount, or make known. 2. To know, discern, or determine, especially in 'cannot tell' or 'who can tell.' 3. To count, number, or enumerate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

every

↗

Each individual or member of the class, group, place, time, side, or kind named; all distributively.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

John 3:9

COMBINED MEANING

answered

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of answer, meaning to reply, respond, or give account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

John 3:10

COMBINED MEANING

answered

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of answer, meaning to reply, respond, or give account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

art

↗

1. The second-person singular present form of be: are, when one person is addressed. 2. Skill, craft, or skilled workmanship used to make or prepare something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

master

↗

One possessing authority, ownership, command, supervision, or superior skill: an owner, employer, household head, teacher, leader, ship commander, or lord.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Israel

↗

The name given to Jacob and, by extension, his descendants, their nation, or the people so called.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

John 3:11

COMBINED MEANING

say

↗

Sense 1: To speak, declare, tell, or express. Sense 2: What is said.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

speak

↗

Sense 1: To utter words or articulate sounds, or to use a language. Sense 2: To address or converse with someone. Sense 3: To state, declare, make mention of, or otherwise make a matter known.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

know

↗

To perceive, understand, recognize, experience, or be assured of something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

witness

↗

Sense 1: A person or thing that attests, testifies, records, or supplies evidence; also testimony, record, or the act of bearing testimony. Sense 2: To see in person, testify, attest, or give evidence.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

John 3:12

COMBINED MEANING

told

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of tell (to say, relate, inform, count, or make known).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

you

↗

The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

earthly

↗

Pertaining to the earth or present world; material or worldly rather than heavenly.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

believe

↗

Sense 1: To accept as true on testimony or evidence; to be persuaded. Sense 2: To trust or place confidence in.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

tell

↗

1. To speak, relate, declare, report, inform, explain, reveal, recount, or make known. 2. To know, discern, or determine, especially in 'cannot tell' or 'who can tell.' 3. To count, number, or enumerate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

John 3:13

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ascended

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of ascend, meaning to go or rise upward to a higher place.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heaven

↗

Sense 1: The firmament or expanse above the earth, including the sky and the region of the sun, moon, stars, clouds, rain, and flying creatures. Sense 2: The realm above spoken of as God's throne and dwelling place, and as the place of angels, heavenly beings, and the righteous. Sense 3: By metonymy, God, heavenly authority or source, or those who dwell there.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

even

↗

1. Used to emphasize, include, or precisely identify what is meant: indeed, precisely, or namely. 2. Used to mark a boundary, endpoint, or full reach in place, time, or degree: up to, as far as, or through. 3. In ‘even as,’ ‘even so,’ and like constructions, just as, exactly so, or in the same manner. 4. The evening, or close of day. 5. Equal, level, identical, balanced, or uniform.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Son

↗

A title of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Son of man.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

John 3:14

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wilderness

↗

Uncultivated, desolate, sparsely inhabited, or uninhabited land; a desert, wild country, or solitary region.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

even

↗

1. Used to emphasize, include, or precisely identify what is meant: indeed, precisely, or namely. 2. Used to mark a boundary, endpoint, or full reach in place, time, or degree: up to, as far as, or through. 3. In ‘even as,’ ‘even so,’ and like constructions, just as, exactly so, or in the same manner. 4. The evening, or close of day. 5. Equal, level, identical, balanced, or uniform.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Son

↗

A title of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Son of man.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

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READ THE PASSAGE

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Suggested context · John 3:1–15

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

3:1THERE was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

3:2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3:3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

3:4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

3:5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

3:6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

3:7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

3:8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Selected passage

3:9Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

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3:10Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

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3:11Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

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3:12If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

Selected passage

3:13And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

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3:14¶ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

Selected passage

3:15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

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