Does Our Lord refer to literal water in John 3:5?

[johnnyt3000]

Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

• John 3:5

What is the Greek used for the word “water” and does it mean literal water in the Greek?
Two Protestants brought this up to me about the Greek, so in Greek does it mean literal water?

 

[BartholomewB]

• John 3:5

What is the Greek used for the word “water” and does it mean literal water in the Greek?
Two Protestants brought this up to me about the Greek, so in Greek does it mean literal water?

For Catholics the answer is Yes, it does mean water, specifically the water of baptism. Here are the three main references in the CCC:

*1215 This sacrament is also called “the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit,” for it signifies and actually brings about the birth of water and the Spirit without which no one "can enter the kingdom of God."7

1225 In his Passover Christ opened to all men the fountain of Baptism. He had already spoken of his Passion, which he was about to suffer in Jerusalem, as a “Baptism” with which he had to be baptized.22 The blood and water that flowed from the pierced side of the crucified Jesus are types of Baptism and the Eucharist, the sacraments of new life.23 From then on, it is possible "to be born of water and the Spirit"24 in order to enter the Kingdom of God.
See where you are baptized, see where Baptism comes from, if not from the cross of Christ, from his death. There is the whole mystery: he died for you. In him you are redeemed, in him you are saved.25

1238 The baptismal water is consecrated by a prayer of epiclesis (either at this moment or at the Easter Vigil). the Church asks God that through his Son the power of the Holy Spirit may be sent upon the water, so that those who will be baptized in it may be "born of water and the Spirit."40*

If you want to read all the footnotes, here are the three links:

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3H.HTM
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3I.HTM
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3J.HTM

You can read the Greek text of John 3:5 here:

biblehub.com/interlinear/john/3-5.htm

 

[jlhargus]

According to Strong’s Greek definition #5204 the Greek word used in John3:5 for water, is water. Water in rivers, in fountains, in pools. The following link you can look up the Greek for any word in the Bible. apostolic-churches.net/bible/strongs.html

[Mt14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the **water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.]

Same Greek word, #5204, used for water in Mt14:28 and 29

 

[MarcoPolo]

In addition, the larger context of Scripture confirms it is actual water:
*Acts 8:36-38 And as they went along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What is to prevent my being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. *Plus OT prophecies like Ezekiel speaking of sprinkling water (Ez 36:25-27) and also the ECFs.

 

[TimothyH]

Jesus was literally referring to the water of a mikveh, the Jewish ritual purification bath.

google.com/search?q=mikveh&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMIz-TzoI_ZxgIVzJeACh3mMgAc&biw=1680&bih=923#tbm=isch&q=mikveh+qumran&imgrc=LgWLZtTmUHYg8M%3A

myjewishlearning.com/article/why-immerse-in-the-mikveh/

jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/mikveh

-Tim-

 

[captainrick]

Jesus was literally referring to the water of a mikveh, the Jewish ritual purification bath.

google.com/search?q=mikveh&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMIz-TzoI_ZxgIVzJeACh3mMgAc&biw=1680&bih=923#tbm=isch&q=mikveh+qumran&imgrc=LgWLZtTmUHYg8M%3A

myjewishlearning.com/article/why-immerse-in-the-mikveh/

jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/mikveh

-Tim-

Note that a mikvah must be “mayim chayim” - living water, and so in addition to a traditional man made mikvah, a river or the ocean may be used. I’ve attended ceremonies in which the Atlantic Ocean near the Synagogue was used.

 

[jlhargus]

Jesus was literally referring to the water of a mikveh, the Jewish ritual purification bath.

google.com/search?q=mikveh&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMIz-TzoI_ZxgIVzJeACh3mMgAc&biw=1680&bih=923#tbm=isch&q=mikveh+qumran&imgrc=LgWLZtTmUHYg8M%3A

myjewishlearning.com/article/why-immerse-in-the-mikveh/

jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/mikveh -Tim-

I would say mikveh was a type or foreshadowing of water baptism. Mikveh did not give the Holy Spirit nor wash away sins. It was a ritual that only symbolized purification. If mikveh purified then there would have been no need for Jesus to die on the cross.

Jesus was speaking of the Sacrament of water Baptism in John3 which was instituted by Him. Jesus’ baptism fullfils what all the OT purification rituals symbolized. Jesus’ water & Spirit baptism, actually cleanses of sin and gives the Holy Spirit making us a child of God.

[Gal3:26 For **ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.]

[Eph5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as **Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,]

[Acts22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and **be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Calling on the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.]

[Acts2:37 Now **when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.38,]