Matthew Poole and continuators on John 3:4

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old can he enter the second time into his mothers womb, and be born ?

By the answer of Nicodemus, it should seem that he was an old man; which is also probable, because he was one of the Rulers; he puts the cases as to himself; I am, saith he, an old man, how shou'd I be born?

Can a man enter the second time into his Mothers Womb, and be born? How true is that of the Apostle? 1 Cor. 2.14. The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. What a gross conception doth Nicodemus, (tho doubtless a learned, as well as a great man) discover of Regeneration, as if it could not be without a mans Mother travelling in birth with him a second time? Nicodemus his question, discovers a great deal of ignorance and weakness; but yet a great deal of simplicity and plainness in him; that he did not come, as the Pharisees generally were wont to come to Christ, to catch him by captious Questions, but brought discendi pictatem, a pious desire to learn from him, and to be instructed by him. The Pharisees had been used to study the Traditions of the Elders, and spent their time about unprofitable Niceties, as to the meaning of the Law; so were not at all versed in the great things which concerned the Kingdom of God. The like Instance hath been in later Ages, the Popish Divines spending their time generally about nice School-questions, shewing themselves much ignorant of Spiritual things, and the great Mysteries of the Kingdom of God.