⁵ But Jesus answered, “·I tell you the truth [^LTruly, truly I say to you], unless you are born from water and the Spirit [^Cequivalent to being born again (3:3); water could symbolize physical birth, but more likely symbolizes spiritual cleansing which brings renewal; Ezek. 36:25–27], you cannot enter God’s kingdom. ⁶ ·Human life comes from human parents [^LThat which is born of the flesh is flesh; ^Cflesh here means human nature], but ·spiritual life comes from the Spirit [^Lthat which is born of the Spirit is spirit]. ⁷ Don’t be ·surprised [amazed; astonished] when I tell you, ‘You [^Cplural, referring to the Jews or the Jewish leaders] must be born ·again [or from above; 3:3].’ ⁸ The wind [^Cone word means both “wind” and “spirit” in Greek] blows where it wants to and you hear the sound of it, but you don’t know where the wind comes from or where it is going. It is the same with every person who is born from the Spirit.” [^CWe cannot comprehend or control the Spirit, but we experience his effect.]