How are birth, belief and testimony connected?

Nicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews, comes to Jesus by night. He calls him a teacher from God, reasoning that his signs require God’s presence. Jesus says a person must be born again to see God’s kingdom. Nicodemus asks how an old man can enter his mother’s womb again. Jesus specifies birth of water and the Holy Ghost for entry into the kingdom. The edition explains this as the necessity of baptism and application of water with the words, referring to Matthew 28:19. Flesh produces flesh and Spirit produces spirit. Jesus tells him not to marvel and describes the Spirit breathing where he wills: the voice is heard, but origin and destination are not known, as with everyone born of the Spirit.

Nicodemus asks how this can happen. Jesus questions the understanding of this master in Israel, says they testify to what they know and have seen but the testimony is not received, and contrasts unbelief about earthly things with hearing heavenly things. Only the Son of man who descends from heaven and is in heaven has ascended. As Moses raised the serpent in the desert, the Son of man must be raised so that the believer may not perish but have everlasting life. God gives his only begotten Son out of love for the world, for believers’ life; the Son is sent to save rather than judge the world. Believers are not judged, but unbelief in the only begotten Son’s name is already judged. The edition interprets the believer’s faith as working through charity and judgment as condemnation; the obstinate unbeliever cuts himself off from Christ and his church. It explains the judgment as the cause of condemnation. Evil works lead people to prefer darkness and avoid the light’s reproof, while acting in truth comes to light so works done in God appear. The edition identifies acting in truth with God’s law, citing Psalm 118:142.

Jesus and his disciples then go into Judea, where he stays with them and baptizes. John baptizes at Ennon near Salim because of plentiful water; people come for baptism, and he is not yet imprisoned. Some disciples of John dispute purification with the Jews, then report that the one John witnessed to beyond Jordan baptizes and all come to him. John replies that a person receives only what heaven gives and reminds them that he denied being Christ and said he was sent before him. The one with the bride is the bridegroom; his friend listens and rejoices at his voice. John’s joy is fulfilled: the other must increase and he decrease. The one from above is above all; the earthly person speaks of earth. The heavenly one testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet the passage says no one receives his testimony, then describes the receiver as sealing that God is true. God’s sent one speaks God’s words and receives Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and gives everything into his hand. Belief in the Son brings everlasting life; unbelief leaves a person without life and under abiding wrath.