In Greek this verse consists of an introductory statement (“Nicodemus said to him”) followed by two questions, which Good News Translation makes into one question followed by an exclamation. For reasons of style, the phrase Nicodemus asked is placed between the question and the exclamation.

Grown man (so also Jerusalem Bible) is literally “old man,” but in the present context the emphasis is not that on age, but rather on maturity; the contrast is between a baby and a full-grown man. Born again (Phillips “born a second time”) is literally “born,” but here the reference is clearly to that of being born a second time.

Obviously, Nicodemus took the word rendered again in Good News Translation to mean again rather than “from above” (its other possible meaning). How Nicodemus understood the word does not necessarily imply what Jesus meant by it or how John intended it to be understood when used by Jesus in the preceding verse. It is impossible to find in English a word or phrase which would carry the possible double meaning that the word again has in verse 3. Since the reply of Nicodemus would sound foolish if Jesus’ words were translated “from above” in verse 3, it seems necessary to employ again in that verse. Similarly, although the verb used in verse 3 can have the meaning “to be born” or “to be begotten,” on the basis of Nicodemus’ reply to Jesus, it is in keeping with the overall context to translate it “to be born.”

Since it is almost impossible in most receptor languages (even as in English) to find a single word which will mean both “again” and “from above,” it may be desirable to have a marginal note here, indicating that the same Greek word can have both senses. Such a note will help the reader understand how the reply of Jesus can shift to an emphasis on the spiritual birth. An alternative translation would be inadequate, since it would not explain to the reader the original ambiguity in the Greek text.

There is often an advantage in shifting the second question posed by Nicodemus to an emphatic statement, especially in languages in which rhetorical questions are rare. It is evident that Nicodemus is not asking whether a man can enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time; rather he is emphasizing the impossibility of such a thing happening. Therefore, “He certainly cannot enter…!”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .