What do John chapter 3 verses 1-16 mean?

Answer 1

To Nicodemus, the concept of the meaning of a spiritual rebirth or new beginning was an understandably new one. Jesus patiently explains the meaning and Nicodemus is respected for seeking knowledge when many of his colleagues were hard of heart. Nicodemus accepted Christ from this point on. It is an example of welcoming those who do not understand spiritual matters, but would like to learn more.

Answer 2

This is one of the most ambiguous passages in John's Gospel, a book noted for using plays on words in the Greek language. The passage, like many in John, it can only be properly understood in the original Greek language of John's Gospel, since it can not be explained properly in English, or even in Hebrew or Aramaic.
Jesus' tells the Pharisee Nicodemus, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born anothen." Nicodemus understands the word to mean "again" (one of its possible meanings) and asks, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" The phrase "a second time" shows that Nicodemus sees only the surface meaning, which he rejects as ludicrous.

Early translations of the Gospel accepted this meaning for the Greek word, anothen, but most translations now recognise that the appropriate English equivalent is "from above". Note that in the statement immediately preceding this Jesus says, "What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit." It is birth "by the Spirit," nota second physical birth, that Jesus has in mind. As is characteristic of Jesus' opponents in John, Nicodemus has not understood the deeper meaning of Jesus' words. The Greek-speaking reader will understand and be amused by the Pharisee's lack of understanding.