John 3:5

“Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, etc.] Explaining somewhat more clearly, what he before said: except a man be born of water and of the Spirit: these are, twnç twlm, “two words”, which express the same thing, as Kimchi observes in many places in his commentaries, and signify the grace of the Spirit of God. The Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions read, “the Holy Spirit”, and so Nonnus; and who doubtless is intended: by “water”, is not meant material water, or baptismal water; for water baptism is never expressed by water only, without some additional word, which shows, that the ordinance of water baptism is intended: nor has baptism any regenerating influence in it; a person…”

“of water and of the Spirit--A twofold explanation of the "new birth," so startling to Nicodemus. To a Jewish ecclesiastic, so familiar with the symbolical application of water, in every variety of way and form of expression, this language was fitted to show that the thing intended was no other than a thorough spiritual purification by the operation of the Holy Ghost. Indeed, element of water and operation of the Spirit are brought together in a glorious evangelical prediction of Ezekiel (Eze 36:25-27), which Nicodemus might have been reminded of had such spiritualities not been almost lost in the reigning formalism. Already had the symbol of water been embodied in an initiatory ordinance, in…”

“Be born of water - By “water,” here, is evidently signified “baptism.” Thus the word is used in Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5. Baptism was practiced by the Jews in receiving a Gentile as a proselyte. It was practiced by John among the Jews; and Jesus here says that it is an ordinance of his religion, and the sign and seal of the renewing influences of his Spirit. So he said Mark 16:16, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” It is clear from these places, and from the example of the apostles Acts 2:38, Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12-13, Acts 8:36, Acts 8:38; Acts 9:18; Acts 10:47-48; Acts 16:15, Acts 16:33; Acts 18:8; Acts 22:16; Galatians 3:27, that they considered this ordinance as binding…”

“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit - Except he experience that great inward change by the Spirit, and be baptized (wherever baptism can be had) as the outward sign and means of it. John 3:6”

“3:5 John the Baptist baptized with water; Jesus baptizes with the Spirit (1:33).”

“born: Joh 3:3; Isa 44:3, Isa 44:4; Eze 36:25-27; Mat 3:11; Mar 16:16; Act 2:38; Eph 5:26; Tit 3:4-7; Pe1 1:2, Pe1 3:21; Jo1 5:6-8 and of: Joh 1:13; Rom 8:2; Co1 2:12, Co1 6:11; Jo1 2:29, Jo1 5:1, Jo1 5:6-8 cannot: Mat 5:20, Mat 18:3, Mat 28:19; Luk 13:3, Luk 13:5, Luk 13:24; Act 2:38, Act 3:19; Rom 14:17; Co2 5:17, Co2 5:18; Gal 6:15; Eph 2:4-10; Th2 2:13, Th2 2:14 John 3:6”