Bible glossary

What Does ‘Born Again’ Mean in the Bible?

To be born again means to be given new spiritual life by God, a fresh start so deep it is like being born all over.

Jesus used this striking picture in a night conversation: unless a person is born again, they cannot see the kingdom of God. He was speaking of a birth from above, a new life given by God's Spirit that no one can produce for themselves.

Being born again is not turning over a new leaf or trying harder. It is a real inward change, a new heart and new life, received as a gift. Old things pass away; a person genuinely becomes new, with the capacity to know and love God.

Key verses

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”
1 Peter 1:23

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17