Note 7 at Jn. 3:12: The "earthly things" spoken of here could be referring to being born of the flesh in verse 6 or the parable of the wind in verse 8, but if so, both of these things should have been readily understood by Nicodemus. Itis more likely that these "earthly things" Jesus referred to were the truths of the new birth. Although the new birth is "from above," it can only take place during this life and is therefore an "earthly thing."