BORN OF WATER CANNOT MEAN THE WOMB
"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." John 3:5
The claim that “born of water” means natural birth, womb water, or a mother’s water breaking does not compute when you simply read the whole passage for what it says.
Jesus was not teaching Nicodemus how to be born naturally. Nicodemus had already been born naturally. That was not his problem. His problem was that he was a religious ruler of the Jews who still needed a birth from above.
"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." John 3:3
Nicodemus misunderstood Jesus and thought in natural terms.
"Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? " John 3:4
Jesus did not agree with Nicodemus natural birth misunderstanding. He corrected it.
"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." John 3:5
Then Jesus made the distinction clear. "That which is born of the flesh is fleash; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." John 3:6
Natural birth is “born of the flesh.” Jesus already identified it. If “born of water” meant natural birth, then Jesus would be saying, Except a man be naturally born and spiritually born. But every living man has already been naturally born. That would make the first condition meaningless.
No one needs to be told they must be born from their mother to enter the Kingdom. They must be told they need a new birth.
"Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." John 3:7 The issue in John 3 is not first birth. It is new birth.
The womb interpretation also fails because Jesus said “born of water and of the Spirit” is necessary to enter the Kingdom of God. Natural birth gets a person into the world. It does not get a person into the Kingdom.
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12-13
John already told us this birth is not natural lineage, bloodline, flesh, or human will. It is of God.
That alone destroys the womb water doctrine.
Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus, a master of Israel. "Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?" John 3:10
Jesus expected Nicodemus to understand this from the Scriptures. What Scriptures would Nicodemus know? Not biology. Not a mother’s water breaking. He should have known the prophetic promise of cleansing water and a new Spirit.
And you must catch this:
Ezekiel 36:25-27 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. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put MY spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
That is water and Spirit
Not womb and Spirit
Not ambiotic fluid and Spirit
Not natrual birth and Spirit
Water for cleansing, and Spirit for inward renewal
This is why John the Baptist's ministry was connected to water and repentance before Jesus spoke to Nicodemus.
Matthew 3:1-2 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐞: 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝.
Matthew 3:5-6 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐧, confessing their sins.
Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐬.
Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐬.
John 1:31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐦 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫.
So when John’s Gospel reaches chapter 3, water is already connected to baptism, repentance, cleansing, and preparation for the Kingdom. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 “𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫” 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐛 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫.
Even more, the very next chapter context continues with water baptism.
John 3:22-23 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞. And John also was 𝐛𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧g 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐧 near to Salim, 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: and they came, and were baptized.
John 4:1-2 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples.
The context around John 3 is water baptism, not childbirth.
John 3:5 says water
John 𝟑:𝟐𝟑 says much water
To force “water” in John 3:5 to mean womb water, while the surrounding context speaks of baptism, is not Bible interpretation. It is denomination escape.
Jesus later connected salvation, discipleship, and baptism in the Great Commission:
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." Matthew 28:19-20
Excerpt from: Apostolic Doctrine Today
"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." John 3:5
The claim that “born of water” means natural birth, womb water, or a mother’s water breaking does not compute when you simply read the whole passage for what it says.
Jesus was not teaching Nicodemus how to be born naturally. Nicodemus had already been born naturally. That was not his problem. His problem was that he was a religious ruler of the Jews who still needed a birth from above.
"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." John 3:3
Nicodemus misunderstood Jesus and thought in natural terms.
"Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? " John 3:4
Jesus did not agree with Nicodemus natural birth misunderstanding. He corrected it.
"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." John 3:5
Then Jesus made the distinction clear. "That which is born of the flesh is fleash; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." John 3:6
Natural birth is “born of the flesh.” Jesus already identified it. If “born of water” meant natural birth, then Jesus would be saying, Except a man be naturally born and spiritually born. But every living man has already been naturally born. That would make the first condition meaningless.
No one needs to be told they must be born from their mother to enter the Kingdom. They must be told they need a new birth.
"Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." John 3:7 The issue in John 3 is not first birth. It is new birth.
The womb interpretation also fails because Jesus said “born of water and of the Spirit” is necessary to enter the Kingdom of God. Natural birth gets a person into the world. It does not get a person into the Kingdom.
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12-13
John already told us this birth is not natural lineage, bloodline, flesh, or human will. It is of God.
That alone destroys the womb water doctrine.
Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus, a master of Israel. "Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?" John 3:10
Jesus expected Nicodemus to understand this from the Scriptures. What Scriptures would Nicodemus know? Not biology. Not a mother’s water breaking. He should have known the prophetic promise of cleansing water and a new Spirit.
And you must catch this:
Ezekiel 36:25-27 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. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put MY spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
That is water and Spirit
Not womb and Spirit
Not ambiotic fluid and Spirit
Not natrual birth and Spirit
Water for cleansing, and Spirit for inward renewal
This is why John the Baptist's ministry was connected to water and repentance before Jesus spoke to Nicodemus.
Matthew 3:1-2 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐞: 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝.
Matthew 3:5-6 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐧, confessing their sins.
Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐬.
Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐬.
John 1:31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐦 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫.
So when John’s Gospel reaches chapter 3, water is already connected to baptism, repentance, cleansing, and preparation for the Kingdom. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 “𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫” 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐛 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫.
Even more, the very next chapter context continues with water baptism.
John 3:22-23 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞. And John also was 𝐛𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧g 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐧 near to Salim, 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: and they came, and were baptized.
John 4:1-2 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples.
The context around John 3 is water baptism, not childbirth.
John 3:5 says water
John 𝟑:𝟐𝟑 says much water
To force “water” in John 3:5 to mean womb water, while the surrounding context speaks of baptism, is not Bible interpretation. It is denomination escape.
Jesus later connected salvation, discipleship, and baptism in the Great Commission:
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." Matthew 28:19-20
Excerpt from: Apostolic Doctrine Today
