Greek Form Guide

βασιλείαν (basileian) in John 3:3: Noun Accusative Singular Feminine

βασιλείαν (basileian) in John 3:3

Textual Witness

βασιλείαν basileian Noun Accusative Singular Feminine

The Textus Receptus witness for John 3:3 reads βασιλείαν with the morphology label Noun Accusative Singular Feminine.

How The Form Affects Interpretation

The accusative noun identifies what is at stake in the condition: apart from being born from above, one cannot see the kingdom of God.

How To Communicate It

When teaching John 3:3, use the accusative object to keep the verse focused on seeing the kingdom rather than treating new birth as an abstract grammar topic.

What Not To Say

  • Grammar should serve context, not override it.
  • Do not treat the accusative case as more than the object role in this clause.
  • Do not detach kingdom language from Jesus' stated new-birth condition.
  • Do not turn feminine grammatical class into a theological claim.

What Does The Label Mean?

Part of Speech

Noun: the word names a reality or domain, here the kingdom that Jesus says cannot be seen apart from new birth.

Case

Accusative: the noun functions as the direct object of the infinitive about seeing.

Number

Singular: the noun presents one kingdom reality in the clause.

Gender

Feminine: the noun belongs to the feminine grammatical class, which should not be turned into a biological or theological gender claim.

Tense / Aspect

Not applicable: this noun form does not use verbal tense or aspect.

Voice

Not applicable: this noun form does not use verbal voice.

Mood

Not applicable: this noun form does not use verbal mood.

Person

Not applicable: this noun form does not use grammatical person.

What The Form Does In This Verse

Attached To

The infinitive ????? in Jesus' statement

Governed By

The statement about what one cannot see unless born from above

Role In The Phrase

????????? Is the accusative noun in the phrase "????? ??? ????????? ??? ????". It names the object of seeing in Jesus' statement.

What It Is Not Doing

The accusative case identifies the noun's role in this clause; it does not by itself define the entire theology of the kingdom of God.

How Much The Form Matters Here

Interpretive Weight

High: The noun names what Jesus says cannot be seen apart from new birth.

Syntax Profile

Noun Accusative Singular Feminine. names the object that cannot be seen unless the condition is met. Attached to the infinitive about seeing. Governed by the negated ability statement in John 3:3. The syntax should be explained from the clause, not isolated from the passage.

Reader Question

What is someone unable to see unless born from above? The accusative noun identifies the kingdom of God as the object in view.

Translation Effect

Direct: The form directly supports wording such as "see the kingdom of God."

Where Caution Is Needed

The noun's case marks object role, not the entire meaning of kingdom. The genitive phrase "of God" and the new-birth condition both shape the interpretation. The singular form should not be pressed beyond the clause's kingdom reference.

Fallacies To Avoid

Case proves doctrine by itself: The accusative identifies the object of seeing; theology must be drawn from the whole statement. word study replaces clause meaning: Kingdom language must stay tied to Jesus' sentence and the surrounding dialogue.

How The Interpretation Is Derived

Textual Witness

The Textus Receptus witness for John 3:3 reads βασιλείαν with the morphology label Noun Accusative Singular Feminine.

Lexical Identity

The lemma is βασιλεία. The gloss "kingship, sovereignty, authority, rule, kingdom" orients this occurrence, but the sentence controls the public claim.

Grammar In Context

????????? Is the accusative noun in the phrase "????? ??? ????????? ??? ????". It names the object of seeing in Jesus' statement.

Passage Meaning

John 3:3 connects new birth with seeing the kingdom of God.

Canonical Fit

The form belongs to the kingdom language in Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus and stays tied to the new-birth condition in the verse.

Communication Use

When teaching John 3:3, use the accusative object to keep the verse focused on seeing the kingdom rather than treating new birth as an abstract grammar topic.

Do Not Derive

Do not build a full doctrine of the kingdom from the noun form alone; the clause and wider biblical teaching must govern the claim.