At the same time Jesus, continuing his discourses, said, "I thank thee, O father, Lord of heaven and earth, for having revealed unto babes what thou hast hid from the wise and prudent.

let them alone: they are blind leaders of the blind. now if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Jesus answered them, you are mistaken, for want of a true notion of the scriptures, and of the divine power.

And knowest

for it is not the Jew in outward appearance, neither is it the external mark of circumcision:

for we are the genuine sons of Abraham, who worship God in the spiritual manner, and value no other dependance than that on Jesus Christ, without confiding in any external advantages:

by whom also ye have obtain'd the true spiritual circumcision, not effected by men, when you were by a christian circumcision divested of all your carnal affections,

General references

for every one that asks, does receive: he that seeks, does find: and he that knocks at the door, is admitted.

and he said, are you likewise so void of understanding? don't you perceive that what passes from without into a man cannot defile him?

Now one of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, was there, a ruler of the Jews: