<p>3:13,14 follow straight on from the discourse about being born again. John very much saw the new birth of the believer as a coming out of the Lord&rsquo;s pierced side; this was what enabled the new birth see under 1:1 and 1:13. 2 Cor. 5:17 likewise speaks of the new creation in the context of expounding the Lord&rsquo;s death. &ldquo;Lifted up&quot; translates a Greek word usually translated &ldquo;exalt&quot;, and is used about the Lord&rsquo;s exaltation after His resurrection (Acts 2:33; 5:31). Although &ldquo;no man hath <i>ascended up</i> to heaven&quot; uses a different word, the idea is just the same. The word is usually used by John to describe the Lord&rsquo;s &lsquo;going up&rsquo; to Jerusalem to keep and finally fulfil the Passover (2:13; 5:1; 7:8,10,14; 11:55; 12:20). John&rsquo;s comment that only the Lord Jesus has &ldquo;ascended up to heaven&quot; may therefore be a reference to both His crucifixion and ascension. His &lsquo;coming down&rsquo; may have a hint of how John records His body being &lsquo;taken down&rsquo; from the cross.</p>