The TEACHER is TAUGHT HEAVENLY THINGS

The TEACHER is TAUGHT HEAVENLY THINGS

After Jesus’ comparison of the Spirit with the wind, poor old Nicodemus has to ask for yet further explanation (3:9). As ‘a teacher of Israel’ (3:10), he should have known the old prophecies about God giving his people ‘a new heart and a new spirit’ (Ezek. 18:31; 36:26) and writing his covenant on their hearts (Jer. 31:33). In response to his question, Jesus embarks on a section of teaching introduced by the phrase ‘Amen, amen I tell you’ (3:11), variously translated as ‘truly, truly’ or ‘very truly’. While the other gospels use only one ‘Amen’ to introduce Jesus’ teaching, John stresses it by using this doubling effect some twenty-five times…