John 3:8

6 Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit.

7 Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’

The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and you do not understand these things?

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
KJV
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.
WEB
The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don’t know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
ASV
The wind bloweth where it will, and thou hearest the voice thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
DARBY
The wind blows where it will, and thou hearest its voice, but knowest not whence it comes and where it goes: thus is every one that is born of the Spirit.
BLB
The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know from where it comes and where it goes. Thus is everyone having been born of the Spirit.”
ÅB
Vinden blåser dit den vil, og du hører den suser; men du vet ikke hvor den kommer fra, og hvor den farer hen; slik er det med hver den som er født av Ånden.
OTB
Vinden blåser dit den vil, og du hører lyden av den, men du vet ikke hvor den kommer fra eller hvor den går. Slik er det med hver den som er født av Ånden.»
B1930
Vinden blåser dit den vil, og du hører den suser; men du vet ikke hvor den kommer fra, og hvor den farer hen; således er det med hver den som er født av Ånden.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Ecclesiastes 11:4–5

    He who watches the wind will fail to sow, and he who observes the clouds will fail to reap.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 2:11

    For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

    Read in context
  • Acts 2:2

    Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 37:9

    Then He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and tell the breath that this is what the Lord GOD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, so that they may live!”

    Read in context
  • 1 John 2:29

    If you know that He is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him.

    Read in context
  • Mark 4:26–29

    Jesus also said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground.

    Read in context
  • Acts 4:31

    After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

    Read in context
  • John 1:13

    children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.

    Read in context