John 3:10

“Jesus answered and said unto him, etc.] Upbraiding him with his continued and invincible ignorance, which was aggravated by his dignified character: art thou a master in Israel? or “of Israel”, as all the Oriental versions render it, as it literally may be rendered he was one of the larçy ymkj, “wise men”, or “doctors of Israel” f135, so often mentioned by the Jews. One of the Jewish doctors was answered, by a boy, just in such language as is here used; who, not understanding the direction he gave him about the way into the city, said to him, larçy lç µkj awh hta, “art thou he, a doctor”, or “master of Israel?” did not I say to thee so? etc. f136. He was not a common teacher; not a teacher…”

“master--"teacher." The question clearly implies that the doctrine of regeneration is so far disclosed in the Old Testament that Nicodemus was culpable in being ignorant of it. Nor is it merely as something that should be experienced under the Gospel that the Old Testament holds it forth--as many distinguished critics allege, denying that there was any such thing as regeneration before Christ. For our Lord's proposition is universal, that no fallen man is or can be spiritual without a regenerating operation of the Holy Ghost, and the necessity of a spiritual obedience under whatever name, in opposition to mere mechanical services, is proclaimed throughout all the Old Testament.”

“A master of Israel - A “teacher” of Israel; the same word that in the second verse is translated “teacher.” As such a teacher he ought to have understood this doctrine. It was not new,” but was clearly taught in the Old Testament. See particularly Psalms 51:10, Psalms 51:16-17; Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 36:26. It may seem surprising that a man whose business it was to teach the people should be a stranger to so plain and important a doctrine; but when worldly-minded men are placed in offices of religion when they seek those offices for the sake of ease or reputation, it is no wonder that they are strangers to the plain truths of the Bible; and there have been many, and there are still, who are…”

“Art: Isa 9:16, Isa 29:10-12, Isa 56:10; Jer 8:8, Jer 8:9; Mat 11:25, Mat 15:14, Mat 22:29 and knowest: Deu 10:16, Deu 30:6; Ch1 29:19; Psa 51:6, Psa 51:10, Psa 73:1; Isa 11:6-9, Isa 66:7-9; Jer 31:33, Jer 32:39, Jer 32:40; Eze 11:19, Eze 18:31, Eze 18:32, Eze 36:25-27, Eze 37:23, Eze 37:24; Rom 2:28; Phi 3:3; Col 2:11 John 3:11”