What happens in this chapter
Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, acknowledges Jesus as a teacher from God. Jesus answers with the necessity of being born from above — water and Spirit — and likens the Spirit to wind (John 3:1–10). He then speaks of the Son of Man lifted up like the serpent in the wilderness (3:11–15; cf. Numbers 21). John 3:16–21 states the Father’s giving of the Son, eternal life for those who believe, and judgment as preferring darkness. The chapter closes with John the Baptist’s last witness: Christ must increase (3:22–36).
Why readers come here
Searchers look up John 3:16, “born again,” and “God so loved the world.” Those lines belong to this night conversation, not to a detached slogan. Read the chapter, then Ask Bible about a verse or a commentary note.