John 3:1-17

John 3:1-17
With thanks to page sponsor 2018:
St. John's Episcopal Church
Powell, WY

Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
- The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
- Comparative texts about Pharisees & Sadducees from Josephus, Tosefta, Mishnah & Babylonian Talmud. Comparative texts about Baptism: Water & Spirit from DSS, Josephus, Babylonian Talmud. At (Rutgers University Dept of Religion) Mahlon H. Smith's Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus companion to the historical study of Christian texts.
- "Kingdom & Children," "Jesus to Nicodemus," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C. Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation.
- Chapter LXI, The First Apology of Justin Martyr. (c 150)
- Chapter XCI, Dialogue With Trypho, Justin Martyr. (c 160)
- IV.II.7, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
- Chapter XII, On Baptism, Tertullian (c. 198)
- III.5, III.12, V.13, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- II.22, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 208)
- Chapter XXXIX, On the Soul, Tertullian (c 210)
- Chapter XVIII, On the Flesh of Christ, Tertullian (c. 211)
- Chapter XXI, Chapter XXVII, Chapter XXX, Against Praxeas, Tertullian (c. 213)
- I.III.4, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225)
- V.II, V.XI, VIII.III, The Refutation of all Heresies (Philosophumena), Hippolytus of Rome. (c. 225)
- Epistle LXXI -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 255)
- Epistle LXXII -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 256)
- From Augustine's Tractates on John:
  - Tractate XI (3:1-5)
    - "Therefore they who are born again were of the night, and are of the day; were darkness, and are light. Now Jesus trusts Himself to them, and they come to Jesus, not by night, like Nicodemus; not in darkness do they seek the day. For such now also profess: Jesus has come near to them, has made salvation in them"
  - Tractate XII (3:6-21)
    - "Two nativities of Christ are understood: one divine, the other human: one, that by which we were to be made; the other, that by which we were to be made anew: both marvellous; that without mother, this without father."
- Part 14, On the Incarnation of the Word, Athanasius of Alexandria, c. 318.
- Sermon for Trinity Sunday, John 3:1-15, Martin Luther, c. 1525.
- From the Geneva Notes.
  - "The secret mystery of our regeneration which cannot be comprehended by man's capacity, is perceived by faith, and that in Christ only, because he is both God on earth, and man in heaven, that is to say, man in such a way that he is God also, and therefore almighty: and God in such a way that he is man also, and therefore his power is made manifest to us."
- From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
  - "So long as he continues under a load of unforgiven guilt, there can be little else than slavish fear of God; but when his doubts are done away, when he sees the righteous ground whereon this forgiveness is built, he rests on it as his own, and is united to God by unfeigned love."
- From Wesley's Notes.
  - "Except he experience that great inward change by the Spirit, and be baptized (wherever baptism can be had) as the outward sign and means of it."
- Sermons by John Wesley:
  - The New Birth (John 3:7)
    - "If any doctrines within the whole compass of Christianity may be properly termed fundamental, they are doubtless these two, -- the doctrine of justification, and that of the new birth."
  - The Marks of the New Birth (John 3:8)
    - "The true, living, Christian faith, which whosoever hath, is born of God, is not only an assent, an act of the understanding; but a disposition, which God hath wrought in his heart; 'a sure trust and confidence in God, that, through the merits of Christ, his sins are forgiven, and he reconciled to the favour of God.'"
- "Regeneration," John 3:3, Charles H. Spurgeon, 1857.
- "The Mysteries of the Brazen Serpent," John 3:14, Charles H. Spurgeon, 1857.
- From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
  - "Nicodemus probably thought he had gone a long way, and expected, perhaps, to be complimented on his candor. Instead of this, he is virtually told that he has raised a question which he is not in a capacity to solve, and that before approaching it, his spiritual vision required to be rectified by an entire revolution on his inner man. Had the man been less sincere, this would certainly have repelled him; but with persons in his mixed state of mind--to which Jesus was no stranger (Joh 2:25) --such methods speed better than more honeyed words and gradual approaches."
- "Immeasurable Love," John 3:16, Charles H. Spurgeon, 1885.
- From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
  - "All agree that the birth of the Spirit refers to the inward, or spiritual change that takes place, and all candid authorities agree that born of water refers to baptism."
Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
- Commentary, John 3:1-17, Judith Jones, WorkingPreacher.org, 2018.
  - "This well-known passage from John is a rarity in the Gospels because it shows Jesus discussing in some detail all three persons of the Trinity."
- "Just One More Verse," David Lose, ...in the Meantime, 2017.
- "John 3:16," Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2017.
- "Push through the Pain," Dani Scoville, Modern Metanoia, 2017.
- "The World," Melissa Bane Sevier, Contemplative Viewfinder, 2017.
- "Wanderment," Andrew Prior, 2017.
- Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2017.
- "Nicodemus' Dilemma and Ours," Nancy Rockwell, The Bite in the Apple, 2017
- Commentary, John 3:1-17, Ginger Barfield, WorkingPreacher.org, 2015
  - "What is crucial in our proclamation is the reality of God's activity in Jesus, God's only Son, sent and given for the sake of the salvation of the world. Only through the awakening of belief through the Spirit can this be known."
- "Three-In-One Plus One!" David Lose, ...in the Meantime, 2015.
  - "...what does it mean for us to live knowing we are God's beloved children, adopted and chosen and named co-heirs with Christ?"
- "The Necessity of Three," Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2015.
  - "...theology is rarely an even, four sides to the table kind of reality. There always seems to be a third angle to consider, another perspective to ponder."
- The Center for Excellence in Preaching, Scott Hoezee, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, illustration ideas, 2015.
  - "Within himself Jesus has all the majesty of the Triune God and all the humility of a lowly human being from a modest family."
- "Born Again!" David Sellery, 2015.
- Lectionary Greek, Rob Myallis, 2015.
- "The Process of Being Born-ed," Bruce Maples, 2015.
- "We Know Who You Are," Story Divine, podcast and video story telling, 2015.
- Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2015.
- "Nicodemus and You and Me and a Group of High School Seniors: God's Time," Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2015.
  - "What difference does it make that one can be born anew at any point in time?"
- Evangelio Comentario del San Juan 3:1-17 por Luis Menendez Antuna, Working Preacher, 2015.
- "Nicodemus," sermon discussion from Frederick Buechner, Frederick Buechner Blog. "Born Again," from Beyond Words.
  - "Nicodemus had heard enough about what Jesus was up to in Jerusalem to make him think he ought to pay him a visit and find out more. On the other hand, as a VIP with a big theological reputation to uphold, he decided it might be just as well to pay it at night. Better to be at least fairly safe than to be sorry, he thought, so he waited till he thought his neighbors were all asleep."
- Commentary, John 3:1-17, Meda Stamper, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
  - "When we become too sure of what we know about Jesus (or indeed the Trinity on this particular Sunday), when we believe that we have grasped him at last, that is when we can perhaps expect to be undone like Nicodemus."
- Jesus and Nicodemus Meet in the Night, Nicodemus Visits Jesus, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2012.
- "It's No Wonder Nicodemus Wondered," Janet Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2012.
  - "What do you make of Nicodemus' question? What questions might have popped into your mind should you have been engaged in that conversation with Jesus that night?"
- Lectionary Blogging, Trinity B, John Petty, 2012.
  - "All are included, even God's enemies. God did not come to condemn, but to save. As Martin Niemoller once put it, 'It took me a long time to realize that not only did God not hate my enemies, he didn't even hate his enemies.'"
- Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, John 3:1-17, David Ewart, 2012.

"To be more clear. The logic of John is NOT: If you believe, then God will love you and save you. God's salvation is not a reward for belief. Nor does God withhold God's love, forgiveness and salvation until we believe. On the other hand, since love is not coercive, we do have to accept the invitation in order to actually be part of the family."

"Doctrine for the Rest of Us," Andrew Prior, One Man's Web, 2012.

"God help us when we have faith only in doctrine."

"Trinitarian Roulette," Mike Stavlund, The Hardest Question, 2012.
- "How sure can we be that we're not as clueless and pitiful as poor old Nicodemus?"
"The Politics of John 3:1-17," John Allen, Political Theology, 2012.
- "Jesus is pushing his followers to understand that new life emerges constantly from the old, that God sends new life from above and that new perspectives that interrupt our new habits."
"Don't Tread on Me," Rick Fry, 2012.
"It's Rude to Point," Neil Chappell, A Weird Thing, 2012.
Comentario del Evangelio por Andrés Albertsen, San Juan 3:1-17, Working Preacher, 2012.
Commentary, John 3:1-17 (Trinity B), Sharon H. Ringe, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
John 3:1-17, Trinity B, Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
"First Thoughts on Year B Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," Trinity, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
- "Being born of the Spirit is talking not about a new mystical height of experience but about a way of living out the life of God in the world. When you see like this, you see the connection between Jesus and God and you see God in Jesus not trying to compete for adoration in the market of miracle workers, but seeking to establish a relationship of love and community. The focus is life. The means is relationship. The motive is love."
Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen at CrossMarks.
- "I don't think that the doctrine of the Trinity and orthodox Christian faith can be separated -- even if we can't completely understand it."
Lent 2, John 3:1-17, a telling and video performance criticism, Tim Coombs, NBSINT, 2011. (At YouTube)
Radical Gratitude: Lent 2A Trinity B, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
"John 3:16 - The Rest of the Story," Carl Gregg, Patheos, 2012.
- "Some Christians have called John 3:16 'the Gospel in a nutshell,' but John 3:16 is not enough to form a fully mature Christian life."
Commentary, John 3:1-17, David Lose, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
- "The obvious challenge in preaching this reading may seem to be how to say anything fresh, meaningful, and new about the world's most famous Bible verse."
Lectionary Blogging, Lent 2, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2011.
- "'Nicodemus,' incidentally, means 'peoples' victory.'"
"Nicodemus's Non-Decision," Reflections on John 3:1-16, Alyce McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, Patheos, 2011.
- "It's easier to find your way in the light."
"Like It or Not!" David Lose, Working Preacher, 2011.
- "So maybe this week, Working Preacher, we should move the Confession and Absolution to right after the sermon. And after saying words of confession – admitting those places where we have fled rather than embraced the light of Christ – we can turn and say to one another, 'Do not forget – You are forgiven because God loves you...like it or not!'"
"Gospel Noir," Russell Rathbun, The Hardest Question, 2011.
- "Why is Nick treated so differently in the history of interpretation than other religious leaders? Jesus treats him the same as the others."
Lectionary Commentary: John 3:16 - The Rest of the Story, Carl Gregg, Patheos, 2011.
- "God cannot be reduced to a formula — neither can the way of God, revealed in the life of Jesus."
Commentary, John 3:1-17 (Lent 2A), Karoline Lewis, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2008.
"The Rob Bell Controversy: Does Anyone Go to Hell?" (John 3:16) David Lose, The Huffington Post, 2011.
"First Thoughts on Year A Gospel Passages in the Lectionary: Lent 2," William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.

"...Nicodemus is a believer in Jesus who believes the wrong way and so does not see what Jesus is on about."

Lectionary Commentary and Preaching Paths (Lent A2), by Jirair Tashjian, at The Christian Resource Institute.
- "Nicodemus represents people who carefully and cautiously must examine the new things that God may be doing and subject these to painstaking scrutiny in light of past traditions and experiences before jumping in and embracing them. We must allow people to respond to God in a variety of ways rather than prescribing a single mode."
"Rebirthing the Powerless Rabbi," Peter Woods, I Am Listening, 2011.

"What a contrasting encounter it was! The Conqueror of nations and the Suffering servant, Son of Man."

John 3:1-17, Lent 2A, Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Lent 2. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church, 2005.

"In many ways, saying that anyone could join God's people by establishing a blood tie to Abraham, who was called out of Ur by God, was pretty radical.

"The New Birth," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
Nicodemus and Born Again, Gospel Analysis, Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
- "The purpose of God and the purpose of Jesus and the purpose of Christians is to save the world. That is, people and institutions around us that have fallen away from the Lord God and the godly values of love, justice and goodness and their consequence of peace."
Marginally Mark, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
"Discipleship in John: Four Profiles," Mark F. Whitters, Word & World: Theology for Christian Ministry, Volume XVIII, Number 4, Luther Northwestern Theological School, 1998.
- "Reviewing Jesus' encounter with four potential disciples in John's Gospel can help us understand our own discipleship -- potential and real."
"Nicodemus," Sarah M. Foulger, Stirred by the Light - Voices of Len
Environmental/earth-centered reflections, from the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota Environmental Stewardship Commission.
"Nicodemus," James T. Dennison Jr., in Kerux: The Online Journal of Biblical Theology (Reformed).
- "He who came to Jesus first under the cover of darkness, now stands before the Jewish council in broad daylight to speak for Jesus."
Commentary by Hall Harris at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
- "Possibly Nicodemus came at night because was afraid of public association with Jesus, or he wanted a lengthy discussion without interruptions; no explanation for the timing of the interview is given by the Evangelist. But the timing is significant for John in terms of the light/darkness motif--compare 9:4, 11:10, 13:30 (especially), 19:39, and 21:3. Out of the darkness of his life and religiosity Nicodemus came to the Light of the World. John probably had multiple meanings or associations in mind here, as he often does."
"Jesus and Nicodemus (John 3:1-21)," by Robert Deffinbaugh at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
- "To many Jews, to be born a Jew was to be born into the kingdom of God."
John 3:13-17, Holy Cross, Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
"The Sociology of Secrecy and the Fourth Gospel." Jerome H. Neyrey, in What Is John? Vol. II: Literary and Social Readings of the Fourth Gospel, 79-109. F. Segovia, ed. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1998.
- "Once we start to pull back the veil, we notice numerous instances of hiding-revealing, secrecy, ambiguity and even lying. The following is an attempt to catalogue the primary and related instances of secrecy and "information control" in the document."
"New Birth as a New People: Spirituality and Community in the Fourth Gospel," Gail O'Day, Word & World, 1988.
"We Believe in Salvation from Sin," Georgia Harkness, Chapter 6 in Beliefs That Count, 1961. At Religion Online.
- "This experience comes through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The act involves penitence for past sins and the acceptance of His mercy and forgiveness. Salvation comes not by our own striving or any achievement of merit. It is the free gift of God?s grace who "shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." Thus God takes away our sins, restores His image in our hearts, and grants to us a new birth, another chance, through the unmerited love of His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ."

Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Barron, Duane, "For God So Loved the Cosmos: The Good News, Ecology and Christian Ethics," Restoration Quarterly, 2005.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Bassler, Jouette, "Mixed Signals: Nicodemus in the Fourth Gospel," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1989.
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  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Born, J. Bryan, "Literary Features in the Gospel of John (An Analysis of 3:1-21)," Direction, 1988.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Derrett, J. Duncan M., "The Buddhist Dimension of John," Numen, 2004.
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- Farris, Patricia, "Late Night Seminar," The Christian Century, 2002.
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- Grese, William C., "'Unless One Is Born Again': The Use of a Heavenly Journey in John 3," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1988.
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  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Gundry, Robert H. and Russell W. Howell, "The Sense and Syntax of John 3:14-17 with Special Reference to the Use of 'OYTOS...OSTE' in John 3:16," Novum Testamentum, 1999.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Hess, Margaret B., "A Curious Man," The Christian Century, 1997.
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- Hodges, Zane C., "Water and Spirit -- John 3:5," Bibliotheca Sacra, 1978.
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  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- "Homiletical Helps," Concordia Journal, 2011. (Section on this text begins on page 67)
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
- "Homiletical Helps," Concordia Journal, 2009. (Section on this text begins on page 190)
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- Janzen, J. Gerald, "How Can a Man Be Born When He Is Old?: Jacob/Israel in Genesis and the Gospel of John," Encounter, 2004.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Jegen, Carol Frances, "Rejoicing in God," The Living Pulpit, 1996. (see Joy issue focus of The Living Pulpit 5.4, 1996.)
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Johnson, John F., "The Holy Trinity: 1st Sunday after Pentecost: John 3:1-8," Concordia Journal, 1985.
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- Johnson, Susan B.W., "Love's Double Victory," The Christian Century, 1997.
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- Lischer, Richard, "Pick It Up! Read It!" The Christian Century, 1999.
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- Marshall, Ronald F., "Our Serpent of Salvation: The Offense of Jesus in John's Gospel," Word and World, 2001.
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  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Mason, Elliott J., Sr., "Joy and Prayer," The Living Pulpit, 2006. (see Joy issue focus of The Living Pulpit 5.4, 1996.)
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Miller, Donald G., "John 3:1-21: Expository Article," Interpretation, 1981.
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  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Munro, Winsome, "The Pharisee and the Samaritan in John: Polar or Parallel?" Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1995.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- O'Brien, "Wind Blown," The Christian Century, 2003.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- O'Day, Gail, "New Birth as a New People: Spirituality and Community in the Fourth Gospel," Word & World, 1988.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- O'Day, Gail, "Piety Without Pretense, Faith Without Falsehood: The Lenten Journey According to John," Journal for Preachers, 1997.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Painter, John, "Quest Stories in John 1-4," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1991.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
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- Polhill, John B., "John 1-4: The Revelation of True Life," Review & Expositor, 1988.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
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- Pollard, Miriam, "Nicodemus," Theology Today, 2003. (Poetry)
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
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- Pryor, John W., "John 3:3, 5. A Study in the Relation of John's Gospel to the Synoptic Tradition," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1991.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Romanowsky, John W., "'When the Son of Man is Lifted Up,': The Redemptive Power of the Crucifixion in the Gospel of John," Horizons, 2005.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Schneiders, Sandra M., "Born Anew," Theology Today, 1987.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Tammeus, William D., "Nicodemus, Nicodemus," Theology Today, 1990. (Poetry)
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
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- Taylor, Barbara Brown, "Stay for Tea, Nicodemus," The Christian Century, 1996.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
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- Thomas, J.D., "A Translation Problem - John 3:8," Restoration Quarterly, 1981.
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- Towne, Edgar A., "Reason and the 'More Excellent' Spirit: A Reformed Reflection on John 3:16," Encounter, 2005.
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- Whitters, Mark F., "Discipleship in John: Four Profiles," Word & World, 1998.
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  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Wiberg, Rev. Glen V., "Listen! The Wind: A Sermon on John 3:1-17," Ex Auditu, 1996.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Williford, Don, "John 3:1-15 -- GENNETHENAI ANOTHEN: A Radical Departure, A New Beginning," Review and Expositor, 1999.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
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- Willimon, William, "God So Loved," The Christian Century, 1982.
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Sermons:
- "A Complete Makeover," the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Weems (UMC), Day 1, 2015.
- "Taking Jesus out of the Stained Glass," Edgar Moore, Faith and Leadership, 2012.
- "Seeing, Believing and the New Birth from Above," Kenneth L. Carder, Faith and Leadership, 2012.
- "The Start of the Trail," Thomas G. Long, Day 1, 2012.
- "Salvation by Faith," Rev. David Sapp, Day 1, 2011.
- "Born How?" Dr. Susan M. (Elli) Elliott, 2008.
- "Where Were You Born?" the Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, Day 1, 2008.
- "God Is Here For You Today," Trinity Sunday, 11 June 2006, David Zersen, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
- "Journey toward Faith: A Lenten Sermon on John 3:16," Tim Johnson, The Center for Progressive Christianity.
- "Born of the Wind," the Rev. Dr. Laura Mendenhall, Day 1, 2000.
- "Born Again," "For God So Loved the World," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington - Sermons from Seattle.
- "How Can These Things Be?" the Rev. Sheila C. Gustafson, Day 1, 1996.
- Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily, 1996.
With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Trinity Sunday, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2015. 2012.
- "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," May 31 2015, Union Presbyterian Seminary. 2012.
- Practicing Families Family Liturgies, Casey W. FitzGerald, 2015.
- "Born Again - A New Creation," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
- "Measuring God's Love," "Measuring God's Love," "A Life Saver," and "The Butterfly," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
- "Born Again," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
- "Nicodemus Visits Jesus at Night," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
- "Oh No! Snakes!" Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
- "Jesus and Nicodemus," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
- Crossword on John 3 & 4, Don Crownover's Bible Puzzles.
- "What's on the Inside Counts," Sharon Brumfield, sermons4kids.com.
- John 3:16, memory verse activity, MSSS Crafts and Resources for Bible Stories.
Drama:
- "Nicodemus, This Is Your Life," Andy Lund, dramatix.
- "The Garden," John McNeil, dramatix.
- "Next Day in the Garden of Good and Evil," John McNeil, dramatix.
- "The Wailing of the Wind," from A Certain Jesus by Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal for catechetical and liturgical dramatization of today's gospel. Claretian Publications.
- "Nicodemus" monologue, Ross Olson.
Liturgy:
- Confession and Pardon, Lent 2A, Joanna Harader, Spacious Faith, 2011.
Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
- John 3:16, John 3:8, John 3:8, Heartlight - Free Christian PowerPoint Backgrounds.
- John 3:13-17, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
- Clip Art: Jesus Teaches Nicodemus, Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld woodcuts, World Mission Collection, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
- Commercial Site: "John 3:16," Film/Visual Liturgy, The Work of the People.
- Lent 2, John 3:1-17, a telling and video performance criticism, Tim Coombs, NBSINT, 2011. (At YouTube)
Hymns and Music:
- Nicodemus Sought Out Jesus Text: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, Tune: NETTLETON 8.7.8.7 D (“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”) A new hymn based on John 3:1-17 that was written for The Presbyterian Outlook magazine for Lent 2011 and available with the music.
- "Tell Me, Dear Tree," Hymn based on John 3:14-18, Matthew 16:24-26, Mark 8:34-37, and Luke 9:23-25, Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, 2012.
- Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: John 3:4, 5, 13, 14, 16. The Cyber Hymnal.
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
- The Billabong, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: scroll down for hymn suggestions.
- Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
- "A Prayer for Mission," "Take up Your Cross," Brenton Prigge, NewHymn, a new, relevant hymn set to traditional tunes.
- "How Can It Be?" TEXT: Mark Ryman (2005) based on John 3:1-17. TUNE: "Rossetti." New Hymns for the Lectionary.
- At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
  - Give of Your Best to the Master
  - To God Be the Glory
Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
Literature and Literary References:
- "Nicodemus, Nicodemus," William D. Tammeus, Theology Today, 1990.
- "Nicodemus," Miriam Pollard, Theology Today, 2003.
Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
Study Links and Resources for the Book of John