John 3:5

Jesus 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.
Word Reference
Original Word Definitions
ἀπεκρίθη
G611 V-ADI-3S
apokrinomai
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
  • to give an answer to a question proposed, to answer
  • "to begin to speak, but always where something has preceded (either said or done) to which the remarks refer
G3588
ho
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
  • this, that, these, etc. Only significant renderings other than ___%___the___%___ counted
Ἰησοῦς
G2424 N-NSM-P
iēsous
Jehovah is salvation
Jesus (i.e., Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
  • Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses' successor
  • "Jesus, son of Eliezer, one of the ancestors of Christ"Jesus, the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind, God incarnate"Jesus Barabbas was the captive robber whom the Jews begged Pilate to release instead of Christ"Jesus, surnamed Justus, a Jewish Christian, an associate with Paul in the preaching of the gospel
Ἀμὴν
G281
amēn
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
  • firm
    • metaphorically faithful
    verily, amen
    • at the beginning of a discourse: surely, truly, of a truth
    • "at the end: so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled
ἀμὴν
G281 HEB
amēn
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
  • firm
    • metaphorically faithful
    verily, amen
    • at the beginning of a discourse: surely, truly, of a truth
    • "at the end: so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled
λέγω
G3004 V-PAI-1S
legō
properly, to ___%___lay___%___ forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 and G5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while G4483 is properly to break silence merely, and G2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean
  • to say, to speak
    • affirm over, maintain
    • "to teach"to exhort, advise, to command, direct"to point out with words, intend, mean, mean to say"to call by name, to call, name"to speak out, speak of, mention
σοι
G4671
soi
to thee
  • to you
ἐὰν
G1437 CONJ
ean
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
  • if, in case
μή
G3361 PRT-N
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas G3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
  • no, not lest
τις
G5100 X-NSM
tis
some or any person or object
  • a certain, a certain one
  • "some, some time, a while
γεννηθῇ
G1080 V-APS-3S
gennaō
to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate
  • of men who fathered children
    • to be born
    • "to be begotten
      • of women giving birth to children
    metaphorically
    • to engender, cause to arise, excite
    • "in a Jewish sense, of one who brings others over to his way of life, to convert someone"of God making Christ his son"of God making men his sons through faith in Christ's work
ἐξ
G1537 PREP
ek
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct or remote)
  • out of, from, by, away from
ὕδατος
G5204 N-GSN
hydōr
water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively
  • water
    • of water in rivers, in fountains, in pools
    • "of the water of the deluge"of water in any of the earth's repositories"of water as the primary element, out of and through which the world that was before the deluge, arose and was compacted"of the waves of the sea"figuratively used of many peoples
καὶ
G2532 CONJ
kai
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
  • and, also, even, indeed, but
πνεύματος
G4151 N-GSN
pneuma
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit
  • a movement of air (a gentle blast
    • of the wind, hence the wind itself
    • "breath of nostrils or mouth
    the spirit, i.e., the vital principal by which the body is animated
    • the rational spirit, the power by which the human being feels, thinks, decides
    • "the soul
    a spirit, i.e., a simple essence, devoid of all or at least all grosser matter, and possessed of the power of knowing, desiring, deciding, and acting
    • a life giving spirit
    • "a human soul that has left the body"a spirit higher than man but lower than God, i.e., an angel
      • used of demons, or evil spirits, who were conceived as inhabiting the bodies of men
      • "the spiritual nature of Christ, higher than the highest angels and equal to God, the divine nature of Christ
    of God
    • God's power and agency distinguishable in thought from his essence in itself considered
      • manifest in the course of affairs
      • "by its influence upon the souls productive in the theocratic body (the church) of all the higher spiritual gifts and blessings"the third person of the trinity, the God the Holy Spirit
    the disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of any one
    • the efficient source of any power, affection, emotion, desire, etc.
οὐ
G3756 PRT-N
ou
the absolute negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not
  • no, not
δύναται
G1410 V-PNI-3S
dynamai
to be able or possible
  • to be able, have power whether by virtue of one's own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favorable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom
  • "to be able to do something"to be capable, strong and powerful
εἰσελθεῖν
G1525 V-2AAN
eiserchomai
to enter (literally or figuratively)
  • to go out or come in: to enter
    • of men or animals, as into a house or a city
    • "of Satan taking possession of the body of a person"of things: as food, that enters into the eater's mouth
    metaphorically
    • of entrance into any condition, state of things, society, employment
      • to arise, come into existence, begin to be
      • "of men, to come before the public"to come into life
      of thoughts that come into the mind
εἰς
G1519 PREP
eis
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
  • into, unto, to, towards, for, among
τὴν
G3588 T-ASF
ho
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
  • this, that, these, etc. Only significant renderings other than ___%___the___%___ counted
βασιλείαν
G932 N-ASF
basileia
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
  • royal power, kingship, dominion, rule
    • not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom
    • "of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah"of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah's kingdom
    a kingdom, the territory subject to the rule of a king"used in the New Testament to refer to the reign of the Messiah
τοῦ
G3588 T-GSM
ho
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
  • this, that, these, etc. Only significant renderings other than ___%___the___%___ counted
θεοῦ
G2316 N-GSM
theos
a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by Hebraism)
  • a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities
  • "the Godhead, trinity
    • God the Father, the first person in the trinity
    • "Christ, the second person of the trinity"Holy Spirit, the third person in the trinity
    spoken of the only and true God
    • refers to the things of God
    • "his counsels, interests, things due to him
    whatever can in any respect be likened unto God, or resemble him in any way
    • God's representative or viceregent
      • of magistrates and judges

ἀπεκρίθη ὁ Ἰησοῦς Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω σοι ἐὰν μή τις γεννηθῇ ἐξ ὕδατος καὶ πνεύματος οὐ δύναται εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ
5
Jesus 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.
Cross References

Ezekiel 36:25

וְזָרַקְתִּי עֲלֵיכֶם מַיִם טְהוֹרִים וּטְהַרְתֶּם מִכֹּל טֻמְאוֹתֵיכֶם וּמִכָּל-גִּלּוּלֵיכֶם אֲטַהֵר אֶתְכֶֽם׃
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.

Ephesians 5:26

ἵνα αὐτὴν ἁγιάσῃ καθαρίσας τῷ λουτρῷ τοῦ ὕδατος ἐν ῥήματι
26
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Acts 2:38

Πέτρος δὲ ἔφη πρὸς αὐτούς Μετανοήσατε καὶ βαπτισθήτω ἕκαστος ὑμῶν ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν καὶ λήψεσθε τὴν δωρεὰν τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος
38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

1 Peter 3:21

καὶ ἡμᾶς ἀντίτυπον νῦν σῴζει βάπτισμα οὐ σαρκὸς ἀπόθεσις ῥύπου ἀλλὰ συνειδήσεως ἀγαθῆς ἐπερώτημα εἰς θεόν δι' ἀναστάσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ
21
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

1 Corinthians 6:11

καὶ ταῦτά τινες ἦτε· ἀλλὰ ἀπελούσασθε ἀλλὰ ἡγιάσθητε ἀλλ' ἐδικαιώθητε ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ καὶ ἐν τῷ πνεύματι τοῦ θεοῦ ἡμῶν
11
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

1 John 5:6

Οὗτός ἐστιν ἐλθὼν δι' ὕδατος καὶ αἵματος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός οὐκ ἐν τῷ ὕδατι μόνον ἀλλ' ἐν τῷ ὕδατι καὶ τῷ αἵματι· καὶ τὸ πνεῦμά ἐστιν τὸ μαρτυροῦν ὅτι τὸ πνεῦμά ἐστιν ἀλήθεια
6
This 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.

Isaiah 44:3

כִּי אֶצָּק-מַיִם עַל-צָמֵא וְנֹזְלִים עַל-יַבָּשָׁה אֶצֹּק רוּחִי עַל-זַרְעֶךָ וּבִרְכָתִי עַל-צֶאֱצָאֶֽיךָ׃
3
For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

Titus 3:4

ὅτε δὲ χρηστότης καὶ φιλανθρωπία ἐπεφάνη τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν θεοῦ
4
But after that the kindness and love toward man of God our Saviour appeared,

Matthew 3:11

Ἐγὼ μὲν βαπτίζω ὑμᾶς ἐν ὕδατι εἰς μετάνοιαν δὲ ὀπίσω μου ἐρχόμενος ἰσχυρότερός μου ἐστίν οὗ οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς τὰ ὑποδήματα βαστάσαι· αὐτὸς ὑμᾶς βαπτίσει ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ καὶ πυρί·
11
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

2 Corinthians 5:17

ὥστε εἴ τις ἐν Χριστῷ καινὴ κτίσις· τὰ ἀρχαῖα παρῆλθεν ἰδού γέγονεν καινά· τὰ πάντα
17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

John 3:3

ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω σοι ἐὰν μή τις γεννηθῇ ἄνωθεν οὐ δύναται ἰδεῖν τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ
3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Mark 16:16

πιστεύσας καὶ βαπτισθεὶς σωθήσεται δὲ ἀπιστήσας κατακριθήσεται
16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

1 Corinthians 2:12

ἡμεῖς δὲ οὐ τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ κόσμου ἐλάβομεν ἀλλὰ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ἵνα εἰδῶμεν τὰ ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ χαρισθέντα ἡμῖν·
12
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Romans 14:17

οὐ γάρ ἐστιν βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ βρῶσις καὶ πόσις ἀλλὰ δικαιοσύνη καὶ εἰρήνη καὶ χαρὰ ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ·
17
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

1 John 5:1

Πᾶς πιστεύων ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν Χριστὸς ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ γεγέννηται καὶ πᾶς ἀγαπῶν τὸν γεννήσαντα ἀγαπᾷ καὶ τὸν γεγεννημένον ἐξ αὐτοῦ
1
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

Galatians 6:15

ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τί ἰσχύει οὔτε ἀκροβυστία ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις
15
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

1 John 2:29

ἐὰν εἰδῆτε ὅτι δίκαιός ἐστιν γινώσκετε ὅτι πᾶς ποιῶν τὴν δικαιοσύνην ἐξ αὐτοῦ γεγέννηται
29
If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

John 1:13

οἳ οὐκ ἐξ αἱμάτων οὐδὲ ἐκ θελήματος σαρκὸς οὐδὲ ἐκ θελήματος ἀνδρὸς ἀλλ' ἐκ θεοῦ ἐγεννήθησαν
13
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Matthew 18:3

καὶ εἶπεν Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ἐὰν μὴ στραφῆτε καὶ γένησθε ὡς τὰ παιδία οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν
3
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

1 Peter 1:2

κατὰ πρόγνωσιν θεοῦ πατρός ἐν ἁγιασμῷ πνεύματος εἰς ὑπακοὴν καὶ ῥαντισμὸν αἵματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη
2
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.