The idea God must quicken us with his word is made clear in John 4 where Jesus met the woman at the well.
She understood the general idea of the coming messiah, her understanding that the messiah would teach them what they needed to know. This knowledge was kept secret until Christ would come.
Joh 4:25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
The idea Jesus would educate man for salvation is true and very relavent, we must be quickened or born again through Christ's word.