Translation commentary on John 3:7

Do not be surprised was an expression frequently used in everyday Jewish life and by the rabbis. In John it expresses a negative attitude, indicating lack of insight by the person addressed.

The first you in this verse is singular, while the second you is plural; for this reason Good News Translation translates the second as you … all (note also Phillips, New English Bible, Moffatt). In Greek the clause is in direct discourse (I tell you, “You…”), but the 4th edition Good News Translation has shifted to indirect.

Again is the same word used in verse 3, and it may also have the meaning of “from above,” as the alternative rendering in Good News Translation suggests. For the reasons mentioned earlier (see verse 4), it seems better to translate again in the text and to use “from above” as an alternative rendering. It may be advisable to include a note here, indicating the ambiguity of meaning or explaining what may be thought of as a “play on the meaning.” The similarity of problems in meaning may be mentioned in relation to both verses 4 and 7.

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 3:7

3:7a–b

Verse 3:7 includes a quotation of what Jesus said in verse 3:3b. The Berean Standard Bible translates that quotation as “You must be born again.” However, those words in the Greek can also mean “You must be born from above.” It was recommended in the note for 3:3b that you follow the first interpretation.

Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’: This verse includes a quotation inside a quotation. Jesus quoted what he had just said in 3:3b. There is a change in the grammar, but no change in the meaning. See the General Comment on 3:7a–b.

3:7a

Do not be amazed: This is a command to Nicodemus. It implies that what Jesus said amazed Nicodemus. It amazed him because he did not understand what Jesus meant. Jesus wanted him to stop being amazed. For example:

Stop (sing.) wondering at what I said.
-or-
You should not be surprised (New International Version)

that I said: Jesus was referring back to what he said to Nicodemus in 3:3b.

3:7b

You must be born again: The Greek pronoun You is plural here. Jesus was saying that people in general must be born again. For example:

All of you must be born again.
-or-
All of you must allow God to give you new birth/lives.

born again: As in 3:3b, this Greek phrase can mean “born again” or “born from above.” Follow the same interpretation that you followed in 3:3b.

General Comment on 3:7a–b

In some languages it may be natural to translate the inner quotation “you must be born again” as an indirect quotation. For example:

Do not be surprised because I tell you that you must all be born again. (Good News Translation)

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