John 3:5-6 - Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

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. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

John 3:5-6

Commentary

Physical birth is not enough. There must also be a spiritual birth if one is to enter the kingdom of God. This spiritual birth is produced by the Holy Spirit of God when a person believes on the Lord Jesus Christ. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the expression "born of the Spirit" is found twice in the verses to follow (vv. 6, 8). 

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Jn 3:5). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Jonah 2:8-9 - Those who cling to worthless idols...

"Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD." And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD. And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

"Those who regard vain idols Forsake their faithfulness, But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving That which I have vowed I will pay Salvation is from the LORD." Then the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land.

Jonah 2:8-9

Commentary

These verses provide a remarkably astute assessment of the nature of salvation. Those who pursue "worthless idols" forsake the mercy that God provides. "Salvation is of the Lord" as His precious gift.

Believer's Study Bible. 1997, c1995. C1991 Criswell Center for Biblical Studies. (electronic ed.) (Jon 2:3). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Not Merely A Sunday School Story...

A great fish, prepared by the Lord, swallowed Jonah and kept him a captive for three days and three nights. (The miracle was not that a fish could swallow a man, but that the man was not digested.)

Our Lord Himself used the prophet as a picture of His own death, burial for three days and nights, and His glorious resurrection:

(Jesus speaking) "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." - (Matt. 12:40).

Incidentally, this shows that Christ accepted Jonah as a historical character, and not merely as a "parable," as some modern preachers claim.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Jon 1:17). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.