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Selected Verse: John 3:8 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Joh 3:8	Strong Concordance	The wind [4151] bloweth [4154] where [3699] it listeth [2309], and [2532] thou hearest [191] the sound [5456] thereof [846], but [235] canst [1492] not [3756] tell [1492] whence [4159] it cometh [2064], and [2532] whither [4226] it goeth [5217]: so [3779] is [2076] every one [3956] that is born [1080] of [1537] the Spirit [4151].
	King James	The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
The wind, &c.--Breath and spirit (one word both in Hebrew and Greek) are constantly brought together in Scripture as analogous (Job 27:3; Job 33:4; Eze 37:9-14). canst not tell, &c.--The laws which govern the motion of the winds are even yet but partially discovered; but the risings, failings, and change in direction many times in a day, of those gentle breezes here referred to, will probably ever be a mystery to us: So of the operation of the Holy Ghost in the new birth.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

The wind, &c.--Breath and spirit (one word both in Hebrew and Greek) are constantly brought together in Scripture as analogous (Job 27:3; Job 33:4; Eze 37:9-14).

canst not tell, &c.--The laws which govern the motion of the winds are even yet but partially discovered; but the risings, failings, and change in direction many times in a day, of those gentle breezes here referred to, will probably ever be a mystery to us: So of the operation of the Holy Ghost in the new birth.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
The wind bloweth ... - Nicodemus had objected to the doctrine because he did not understand how it could be. Jesus shows him that he ought not to reject it on that account, for he constantly believed things quite as difficult. It might appear incomprehensible, but it was to be judged of by its effects. As in this case of the wind, the effects were seen, the sound was heard, important changes were produced by it, trees and clouds were moved, yet the wind is not seen, nor do we know whence it comes, nor by what laws it is governed; so it is with the operations of the Spirit. We see the changes produced. Men just now sinful become holy; the thoughtless become serious; the licentious become pure; the vicious, moral; the moral, religious; the prayerless, prayerful; the rebellious and obstinate, meek, and mild, and gentle. When we see such changes, we ought no more to doubt that they are produced by some cause - by some mighty agent, than when we see the trees moved, or the waters of the ocean piled on heaps, or feet the cooling effects of a summer's breeze. In those cases we attribute it to the "wind," though we see it not, and though we do not understand its operations. We may learn, hence: 1. that the proper evidence of conversion is the effect on the life. 2. that we are not too curiously to search for the cause or manner of the change. 3. that God has power over the most hardened sinner to change him, as he has power over the loftiest oak, to bring it down by a sweeping blast. 4. that there may be great variety in the modes of the operation of the Spirit. As the "wind" sometimes sweeps with a tempest, and prostrates all before it, and sometimes breathes upon us in a mild evening zephyr, so it is with the operations of the Spirit. The sinner sometimes trembles and is prostrate before the truth, and sometimes is sweetly and gently drawn to the cross of Jesus. Where it listeth - Where it "wills" or "pleases." So is every one ... - Everyone that is born of the Spirit is, in some respects, like the effects of the wind. You see it not, you cannot discern its laws, but you see its effects," and you know therefore that it does exist and operate. Nicodemus' objection was, that he could not "see" this change, or perceive "how" it could be. Jesus tells him that he should not reject a doctrine merely because he could not understand it. Neither could the "wind" be seen, but its effects were well known, and no one doubted the existence or the power of the agent. Compare Ecc 11:5.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
The wind (τὸ πνεῦμα) Some hold by the translation spirit, as Wyc., the spirit breatheth where it will. In Hebrew the words spirit and wind are identical. Πνεῦμα is from πνέω to breathe or blow, the verb used in this verse (bloweth), and everywhere in the New Testament of the blowing of the wind (Mat 7:25, Mat 7:27; Luk 12:55; Joh 6:18). It frequently occurs in the classics in the sense of wind. Thus Aristophanes, τὸ πνεῦμ' ἔλαττον γίγνεται, the wind is dying away ("Knights," 441), also in the New Testament, Heb 1:7, where the proper translation is, "who maketh His angels winds," quoted from Psalms 103:4 (Sept.). In the Septuagint, Kg1 18:45; Kg1 19:11; Kg2 3:17; Job 1:19. In the New Testament, in the sense of breath, Th2 2:8; Rev 11:11. The usual rendering, wind, is confirmed here by the use of the kindred verb πνεῖ, bloweth, and by φωνὴν, sound, voice. Tholuck thinks that the figure may have been suggested to Jesus by the sound of the night-wind sweeping through the narrow street. Where it listeth (ὅπου θέλει) On the verb θέλω, to will or determine, see on Mat 1:19. Listeth is old English for pleasure or willeth, from the Anglo-Saxon lust, meaning pleasure. Chaucer has the forms leste, lust, and list. "Strong was the wyn, and wel to drynke us leste (pleased)." "Canterbury Tales," 752. "Love if thee lust." "Canterbury Tales," 1185. "She walketh up and down wher as hire list (wherever she pleases)." "Canterbury Tales," 1054. "A wretch by fear, not force, like Hannibal, Drives back our troops, and conquers as she lists." Shakespeare, "Henry VI.," Pt. I., i., v., 22. Hence listless is devoid of desire. The statement of Jesus is not meant to be scientifically precise, but is rather thrown into a poetic mold, akin to the familiar expression "free as the wind." Compare Co1 12:11; and for the more prosaic description of the course of the wind, see Ecc 1:6. Sound (φωνὴν) Rev., voice. Used both of articulate and inarticulate utterances, as of the words from heaven at Jesus' baptism and transfiguration (Mat 3:17; Pe2 1:17, Pe2 1:18); of the trumpet (Mat 24:31; Co1 14:8), and of inanimate things in general (Co1 14:17). John the Baptist calls himself φωνή, a voice, and the word is used of the wind, as here, in Act 2:6. Of thunder, often in the Revelation (Rev 6:1; Rev 14:2, etc.). Canst not tell (οὐκ οἶδας) Better, as Rev., knowest not. Socrates, (Xenophon's "Memorabilia"), says, "The instruments of the deities you will likewise find imperceptible; for the thunder-bolt, for instance, though it is plain that it is sent from above, and works its will with everything with which it comes in contact, is yet never seen either approaching, or striking, or retreating; the winds, too, are themselves invisible, though their effects are evident to us, and we perceive their course" (iv. 3, 14). Compare Ecc 11:5. So So the subject of the Spirit's invisible influence gives visible evidence of its power.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

The wind (τὸ πνεῦμα)

Some hold by the translation spirit, as Wyc., the spirit breatheth where it will. In Hebrew the words spirit and wind are identical. Πνεῦμα is from πνέω to breathe or blow, the verb used in this verse (bloweth), and everywhere in the New Testament of the blowing of the wind (Mat 7:25, Mat 7:27; Luk 12:55; Joh 6:18). It frequently occurs in the classics in the sense of wind. Thus Aristophanes, τὸ πνεῦμ' ἔλαττον γίγνεται, the wind is dying away ("Knights," 441), also in the New Testament, Heb 1:7, where the proper translation is, "who maketh His angels winds," quoted from Psalms 103:4 (Sept.). In the Septuagint, Kg1 18:45; Kg1 19:11; Kg2 3:17; Job 1:19. In the New Testament, in the sense of breath, Th2 2:8; Rev 11:11. The usual rendering, wind, is confirmed here by the use of the kindred verb πνεῖ, bloweth, and by φωνὴν, sound, voice. Tholuck thinks that the figure may have been suggested to Jesus by the sound of the night-wind sweeping through the narrow street.

Where it listeth (ὅπου θέλει)

On the verb θέλω, to will or determine, see on Mat 1:19. Listeth is old English for pleasure or willeth, from the Anglo-Saxon lust, meaning pleasure. Chaucer has the forms leste, lust, and list.

"Strong was the wyn, and wel to drynke us leste (pleased)."

"Canterbury Tales," 752.

"Love if thee lust."

"Canterbury Tales," 1185.

"She walketh up and down wher as hire list (wherever she pleases)."

"Canterbury Tales," 1054.

"A wretch by fear, not force, like Hannibal,

Drives back our troops, and conquers as she lists."

Shakespeare, "Henry VI.," Pt. I., i., v., 22.

Hence listless is devoid of desire. The statement of Jesus is not meant to be scientifically precise, but is rather thrown into a poetic mold, akin to the familiar expression "free as the wind." Compare Co1 12:11; and for the more prosaic description of the course of the wind, see Ecc 1:6.

Sound (φωνὴν)

Rev., voice. Used both of articulate and inarticulate utterances, as of the words from heaven at Jesus' baptism and transfiguration (Mat 3:17; Pe2 1:17, Pe2 1:18); of the trumpet (Mat 24:31; Co1 14:8), and of inanimate things in general (Co1 14:17). John the Baptist calls himself φωνή, a voice, and the word is used of the wind, as here, in Act 2:6. Of thunder, often in the Revelation (Rev 6:1; Rev 14:2, etc.).

Canst not tell (οὐκ οἶδας)

Better, as Rev., knowest not. Socrates, (Xenophon's "Memorabilia"), says, "The instruments of the deities you will likewise find imperceptible; for the thunder-bolt, for instance, though it is plain that it is sent from above, and works its will with everything with which it comes in contact, is yet never seen either approaching, or striking, or retreating; the winds, too, are themselves invisible, though their effects are evident to us, and we perceive their course" (iv. 3, 14). Compare Ecc 11:5.

So

So the subject of the Spirit's invisible influence gives visible evidence of its power.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
The wind bloweth - According to its own nature, not thy will, and thou hearest the sound thereof - Thou art sure it doth blow, but canst not explain the particular manner of its acting. So is every one that is born of the Spirit - The fact is plain, the manner of his operations inexplicable.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
The wind bloweth - Though the manner in which this new birth is effected by the Divine Spirit, be incomprehensible to us, yet we must not, on this ground, suppose it to be impossible. The wind blows in a variety of directions - we hear its sound, perceive its operation in the motion of the trees, etc., and feel it on ourselves - but we cannot discern the air itself; we only know that it exists by the effects which it produces: so is every one who is born of the Spirit: the effects are as discernible and as sensible as those of the wind; but itself we cannot see. But he who is born of God knows that he is thus born: the Spirit itself, the grand agent in this new birth, beareth witness with his spirit, that he is born of God, Rom 8:16; for, he that believeth hath the witness in himself, Jo1 4:13; Jo1 5:10; Gal 4:6. And so does this Spirit work in and by him that others, though they see not the principle, can easily discern the change produced; for whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world, Jo1 5:4.

Top

⁹ Then said [0559] he unto me, Prophesy [05012] unto the wind [07307], prophesy [05012], son [01121] of man [0120], and say [0559] to the wind [07307], Thus saith [0559] the Lord [0136] GOD [03069]; Come [0935] from the four [0702] winds [07307], O breath [07307], and breathe [05301] upon these slain [02026], that they may live [02421].
¹⁰ So I prophesied [05012] as he commanded [06680] me, and the breath [07307] came [0935] into them, and they lived [02421], and stood up [05975] upon their feet [07272], an exceeding [03966] [03966] great [01419] army [02428].
¹¹ Then he said [0559] unto me, Son [01121] of man [0120], these bones [06106] are the whole house [01004] of Israel [03478]: behold, they say [0559], Our bones [06106] are dried [03001], and our hope [08615] is lost [06]: we are cut off [01504] for our parts.
¹² Therefore prophesy [05012] and say [0559] unto them, Thus saith [0559] the Lord [0136] GOD [03069]; Behold, O my people [05971], I will open [06605] your graves [06913], and cause you to come up [05927] out of your graves [06913], and bring [0935] you into the land [0127] of Israel [03478].
¹³ And ye shall know [03045] that I am the LORD [03068], when I have opened [06605] your graves [06913], O my people [05971], and brought you up [05927] out of your graves [06913],
¹⁴ And shall put [05414] my spirit [07307] in you, and ye shall live [02421], and I shall place [03240] you in your own land [0127]: then shall ye know [03045] that I the LORD [03068] have spoken [01696] it, and performed [06213] it, saith [05002] the LORD [03068].

⁴ The Spirit [07307] of God [0410] hath made [06213] me, and the breath [05397] of the Almighty [07706] hath given me life [02421].

³ All the while [05750] my breath [05397] is in me, and the spirit [07307] of God [0433] is in my nostrils [0639];

⁵ As thou knowest [03045] not what is the way [01870] of the spirit [07307], nor how the bones [06106] do grow in the womb [0990] of her that is with child [04392]: even so thou knowest [03045] not the works [04639] of God [0430] who maketh [06213] all.

² And [2532] I heard [191] a voice [5456] from [1537] heaven [3772], as [5613] the voice [5456] of many [4183] waters [5204], and [2532] as [5613] the voice [5456] of a great [3173] thunder [1027]: and [2532] I heard [191] the voice [5456] of harpers [2790] harping [2789] with [1722] their [846] harps [2788]:

¹ And [2532] I saw [1492] when [3753] the Lamb [721] opened [455] one [3391] of [1537] the seals [4973], and [2532] I heard [191], as it were [5613] the noise [5456] of thunder [1027], one [1520] of [1537] the four [5064] beasts [2226] saying [3004], Come [2064] and [2532] see [991].

⁶ Now [1161] when this [5026] was [1096] noised abroad [5456], the multitude [4128] came together [4905], and [2532] were confounded [4797], because [3754] that every [1538] man [1520] heard [191] them [846] speak [2980] in his own [2398] language [1258].

¹⁷ For [1063] thou [4771] verily [3303] givest thanks [2168] well [2573], but [235] the other [2087] is [3618] not [3756] edified [3618].

⁸ For [1063] [2532] if [1437] the trumpet [4536] give [1325] an uncertain [82] sound [5456], who [5101] shall prepare himself [3903] to [1519] the battle [4171]?

³¹ And [2532] he shall send [649] his [846] angels [32] with [3326] a great [3173] sound [5456] of a trumpet [4536], and [2532] they shall gather together [1996] his [846] elect [1588] from [1537] the four [5064] winds [417], from [575] one end [206] of heaven [3772] to [2193] the other [206] [846].

¹⁸ And [2532] this [5026] voice [5456] which came [5342] from [1537] heaven [3772] we [2249] heard [191], when we were [5607] with [4862] him [846] in [1722] the holy [40] mount [3735].

¹⁷ For [1063] he received [2983] from [3844] God [2316] the Father [3962] honour [5092] and [2532] glory [1391], when there came [5342] such [5107] a voice [5456] to him [846] from [5259] the excellent [3169] glory [1391], This [3778] is [2076] my [3450] beloved [27] Son [5207], in [1519] whom [3739] I [1473] am well pleased [2106].

¹⁷ And [2532] lo [2400] a voice [5456] from [1537] heaven [3772], saying [3004], This [3778] is [2076] my [3450] beloved [27] Son [5207], in [1722] whom [3739] I am well pleased [2106].

⁶ The wind [07307] goeth [01980] toward the south [01864], and turneth about [05437] unto the north [06828]; it whirleth about continually [01980], and the wind [07307] returneth again [07725] according to his circuits [05439].

¹¹ But [1161] all [3956] these [5023] worketh [1754] that one [1520] and [2532] the selfsame [846] Spirit [4151], dividing [1244] to every man [1538] severally [2398] as [2531] he will [1014].

¹⁹ Then [1161] Joseph [2501] her [846] husband [435], being [5607] a just [1342] man, and [2532] not [3361] willing [2309] to make [3856] her [846] a publick example [3856], was minded [1014] to put [630] her [846] away [630] privily [2977].

¹¹ And [2532] after [3326] three [5140] days [2250] and [2532] an half [2255] the Spirit [4151] of life [2222] from [1537] God [2316] entered [1525] into [1909] them [846], and [2532] they stood [2476] upon [1909] their [846] feet [4228]; and [2532] great [3173] fear [5401] fell [4098] upon [1909] them which saw [2334] them [846].

⁸ And [2532] then [5119] shall [601] that Wicked [459] be revealed [601], whom [3739] the Lord [2962] shall consume [355] with the spirit [4151] of his [846] mouth [4750], and [2532] shall destroy [2673] with the brightness [2015] of his [846] coming [3952]:

¹⁹ And, behold, there came [0935] a great [01419] wind [07307] from [05676] the wilderness [04057], and smote [05060] the four [0702] corners [06438] of the house [01004], and it fell [05307] upon the young men [05288], and they are dead [04191]; and I only am escaped [04422] alone to tell [05046] thee.

¹⁷ For thus saith [0559] the LORD [03068], Ye shall not see [07200] wind [07307], neither shall ye see [07200] rain [01653]; yet that valley [05158] shall be filled [04390] with water [04325], that ye may drink [08354], both ye, and your cattle [04735], and your beasts [0929].

¹¹ And he said [0559], Go forth [03318], and stand [05975] upon the mount [02022] before [06440] the LORD [03068]. And, behold, the LORD [03068] passed by [05674], and a great [01419] and strong [02389] wind [07307] rent [06561] the mountains [02022], and brake in pieces [07665] the rocks [05553] before [06440] the LORD [03068]; but the LORD [03068] was not in the wind [07307]: and after [0310] the wind [07307] an earthquake [07494]; but the LORD [03068] was not in the earthquake [07494]:

⁴⁵ And it came to pass in the mean while [03541], that the heaven [08064] was black [06937] with clouds [05645] and wind [07307], and there was a great [01419] rain [01653]. And Ahab [0256] rode [07392], and went [03212] to Jezreel [03157].

⁷ And [2532] of [4314] [3303] the angels [32] he saith [3004], Who maketh [4160] his [846] angels [32] spirits [4151], and [2532] his [846] ministers [3011] a flame [5395] of fire [4442].

¹⁸ And [5037] the sea [2281] arose [1326] by reason of a great [3173] wind [417] that blew [4154].

⁵⁵ And [2532] when [3752] ye see the south wind [3558] blow [4154], ye say [3004], [3754] There will be [2071] heat [2742]; and [2532] it cometh to pass [1096].

²⁷ And [2532] the rain [1028] descended [2597], and [2532] the floods [4215] came [2064], and [2532] the winds [417] blew [4154], and [2532] beat upon [4350] that [1565] house [3614]; and [2532] it fell [4098]: and [2532] great [3173] was [2258] the fall [4431] of it [846].

²⁵ And [2532] the rain [1028] descended [2597], and [2532] the floods [4215] came [2064], and [2532] the winds [417] blew [4154], and [2532] beat upon [4363] that [1565] house [3614]; and [2532] it fell [4098] not [3756]: for [1063] it was founded [2311] upon [1909] a rock [4073].

⁴ For [3754] whatsoever [3956] is born [1080] of [1537] God [2316] overcometh [3528] the world [2889]: and [2532] this [3778] is [2076] the victory [3529] that overcometh [3528] the world [2889], even our [2257] faith [4102].

⁶ And [1161] because [3754] ye are [2075] sons [5207], God [2316] hath sent forth [1821] the Spirit [4151] of his [846] Son [5207] into [1519] your [5216] hearts [2588], crying [2896], Abba [5], Father [3962].

¹⁰ He that believeth [4100] on [1519] the Son [5207] of God [2316] hath [2192] the witness [3141] in [1722] himself [1438]: he that believeth [4100] not [3361] God [2316] hath made [4160] him [846] a liar [5583]; because [3754] he believeth [4100] not [3756] [1519] the record [3141] that [3739] God [2316] gave [3140] of [4012] his [846] Son [5207].

¹³ Hereby [1722] [5129] know we [1097] that [3754] we dwell [3306] in [1722] him [846], and [2532] he [846] in [1722] us [2254], because [3754] he hath given [1325] us [2254] of [1537] his [846] Spirit [4151].

¹⁶ The Spirit [4151] itself [846] beareth witness [4828] with our [2257] spirit [4151], that [3754] we are [2070] the children [5043] of God [2316]: