Nicodemus And Jesus Series

Nicodemus

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin mentioned in three places in the Gospel of John.

Nicodemus Feast Day: August 2 (Eastern Orthodox Church & Byzantine-rite Catholic Churches) August 3 (Roman-rite Catholic Church).

Died: Judea

Born: Galilee

Attributes: Pharisee

?Gospel ·

Q1 - Who Was Nicodemus in the Bible & Was He Saved?

Nicodemus was a member of the Jewish sect of influential Pharisees and a member of the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court. Nicodemus held the prominent position as ruler of the Pharisees, an enormously powerful position. He was a wealthy man of power and status who came to Jesus at night with a question.

Pharisees pledged to obey all traditions and laws down to the smallest detail. However, they became arrogant because of their belief that they were the only ones able to interpret the word of God. (For Jesus's opinion on the Pharisees, see Matthew 23)

We met Nicodemus when Jesus' public ministry was beginning.

"Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, 'Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with Him.'" John 3:1-2 NIV.

Why Did Nicodemus Approach Jesus at Night?

Scripture does not tell us, but several reasons have been imagined:

•Was he simply an inquisitive, curious seeker interested in Jesus' teaching and ability to perform miracles?

•Was he afraid to come in the daylight for fear of being seen with Jesus? He might have lost his position, wealth, and status if he had come to see Jesus of his own free will. The fierce opposition to Jesus by the Jews was already growing daily.

•It was Passover. Perhaps he wanted to wait until dark when the crowds had thinned and Jesus had finished teaching?

•The Sanhedrin sent a delegation to investigate John the Baptist (John 1:19-20). Did Nicodemus go to Jesus as their representative to investigate and question Jesus?

•Did Nicodemus have a longing to discern if Jesus could be the long-awaited Messiah?

"Was he saved?" is answered by his actions after the conversation with Jesus on the night he came to Jesus. (taking Jesus down from the cross, placing Jesus in his tomb, losing his fear of being recognized as a disciple of Jesus, etc.)

? Nicodemus and Jesus

Jesus responds to Nicodemus' statement and gets right to the heart of the matter:

"I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." v3 NIV. (Born again translates "born from above" in Greek.)

Nicodemus is confused when Jesus explains that being born again means being born of the Spirit. "How can this be?" (v9) he asks.

Nicodemus takes Jesus' words literally and questions a physical rebirth. He believed his status as a Jew meant he was born directly into the kingdom of God. It made no sense to him that there was another way to heaven.

Jesus expresses amazement that Nicodemus, a brilliant teacher of vast knowledge, failed to understand the Scripture's meaning regarding being born of the Spirit. Nicodemus should have known of God's promise of spiritual rebirth- "I will put my Spirit in you "- from Ezekiel 36:26-27.

However, Jesus perseveres with Nicodemus.

Q2 - Meaning of Nicodemus' name

The name Nicodemus (Nikodemos) is comprised of two parts; the first "Nike," which means victory, and the second part, "demos," which means people or ordinary people. Therefore, his name could mean "victory of the people" or "victor among the people."

Q3 - Appearances in the book of John

The story of Nicodemus only appears in the following three chapters of the Bible in the Gospel of John.

• John 3:1-21 - Nicodemus meets Jesus secretly

• John 7:43-53 - Nicodemus questions the Pharisee's actions against Jesus

• John 19:38-42 - Nicodemus helps take Jesus down from the cross.

Each time Nicodemus is mentioned in the Bible, he speaks and acts bolder for Christ. In John 3, he only secretly visits Jesus to seek information, while in John 7, Nicodemus speaks up in Jesus' defense. Lastly, in John 19, Nicodemus is no longer intimidated by the Pharisees and takes physical action to help remove Jesus from the cross. The following outlines Nicodemus' actions and response to Jesus.

Q4 - Meeting Jesus secretly

Nicodemus first appears in the Bible in John chapter 3 when he desires to know more about Jesus and His teachings. As an introduction, Nicodemus complements Jesus saying, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him" (John 3:2). Jesus ignores his compliment and immediately shifts the focus from Himself to Nicodemus and his spiritual condition. Jesus proceeds to tell Nicodemus that he must be born again.