Does "Born of Water" Mean Water Baptism in John 3?

Over the years, I have encountered many people who misinterpret Jesus’ words to Nicodemus in John 3:5, claiming salvation is obtained through water baptism (“born of water”) and faith (“and the Spirit”).

It is easy to understand how someone could arrive at this conclusion when viewing this passage outside of its context and interpreting it apart from other verses on the subject. However, Jesus did not reference water baptism in this Scripture. Rather, He differentiated spiritual rebirth from physical birth.

Jesus set the stage for the context and meaning of His words, “born of water and the Spirit" in John 3:3. After telling Nicodemus a person must be born again to see God’s Kingdom, Nicodemus thought Jesus was speaking of a physical rebirth, which required the impossible task of re-entering his mother’s womb.

To eradicate Nicodemus’ confusion, Jesus said to him, “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. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again’” (John 3:5-7).

Based on Jesus’ response and the context of His conversation with Nicodemus, His use of the phrase “born of water” (v.5) was not a reference to water baptism but to the human birth process. Jesus confirmed this fact by His clarifying statement afterward, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh” (v.6).

In natural birth, a person gives birth to another person. This feat is a human achievement and is accomplished through water (referred to as amniotic fluid today). However, the spiritual rebirth process Jesus spoke of was a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit giving life to a human spirit. Therefore, His words “that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” were used to contrast this supernatural rebirth from the natural birth process Nicodemus assumed was necessary a second time.

I hope this information is helpful and equips you to answer those who claim Jesus required water baptism for salvation in John 3. For corroborating verses on salvation as a gift by faith alone, click here. For information on water baptism, click here.

*Note: Another evidence that Jesus was not referencing water baptism but physical birth when He said "born of water" in John 3:5 was the order of His words. If Jesus were informing Nicodemus that faith and water baptism were required for him to enter God's Kingdom, He would have stated it in that order since water baptism never preceded one's profession of faith in that culture. Yet, Jesus said the opposite: "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God," clearly indicating that "born of water" referenced physical birth and "born…of the Spirit" referenced spiritual rebirth by the Holy Spirit.