Nicodemus
Nicodemus was a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin mentioned in three places in the Gospel of John.
Feast of Nicodemus: August 2 (Eastern Orthodox Church and 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 influential Jewish sect of Pharisees and a member of the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court. Nicodemus held the prominent position as ruler of the Pharisees, a position of enormous power. He was a wealthy man of power and status who approached Jesus at night with a question.
The Pharisees undertook to obey all traditions and laws down to the smallest detail. However, they became arrogant due to their belief that they were the only ones capable of interpreting the word of God. (For Jesus’ opinion of 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 ruling Jewish council. He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs that you do if God were not with him.'” John 3:1-2 NIV.
Why did Nicodemus approach Jesus at night?
Scripture does not tell us, but various reasons have been imagined:
Was he simply a curious and inquisitive seeker interested in Jesus? teaching and ability to work miracles?
Was he afraid to come in daylight for fear of being seen with Jesus? He could have lost his position, wealth and status if he had come to see Jesus of his own free will. The fierce opposition to Jesus on the part of the Jews was already growing day by day.
It was Easter. Perhaps she wanted to wait until dark when the crowd had thinned and Jesus had finished teaching?
The Sanhedrin sent a delegation to investigate John the Baptist (John 1:19-20). Did Nicodemus come to Jesus as his 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 fear of being recognized as a disciple of Jesus, etc.)
? Nicodemus and Jesus
Jesus responds to Nicodemus’ and goes straight to the heart of the matter:
“Assuredly, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” v3 NIV. (Born again means “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) ask.
Nicodemus takes Jesus’ words literally and questions a physical rebirth. He believed that his Jewishness meant that 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, did not understand the meaning of the Scriptures regarding being born of the Spirit. . Nicodemus should have known of God’s promise of a spiritual rebirth – “I will put my Spirit within you” – from Ezekiel 36:26-27.
However, Jesus perseveres with Nicodemus.
Q2 – Meaning of Nicodemus’ name
The name Nicodemus (Nikodemos) is made up of two parts; the first “Nike” which means victory, and the second part, “demos” which means people or common people. Therefore, his name could mean “victory of the people” or “victor among the people”.
P3 – Appearances in the book of John
The story of Nicodemus only appears in the next three chapters of the Bible in the Gospel of John.
John 3:1-21 – Nicodemus meets Jesus in secret
John 7:43-53 – Nicodemus questions the Pharisee’s actions against Jesus
John 19:38-42 – Nicodemus helps Jesus get down from the cross.
Every time Nicodemus is mentioned in the Bible, he speaks and acts more boldly for Christ. In John 3, he only secretly visits Jesus to seek information, while in John 7, Nicodemus speaks out loud about Jesus. defending. Finally, in John 19, Nicodemus is no longer intimidated by the Pharisees and takes physical action to help get Jesus off the cross. The following describes Nicodemus’ actions and response to Jesus.
P4 – Knowing Jesus in secret
Nicodemus first appears in the Bible in John chapter 3 when he wants to know more about Jesus and his teachings. As an introduction, Nicodemus complements Jesus by saying: “Rabbi, we know that you have come from God as a teacher. For no one could do the signs that you do 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 should born again.
Nicodemus questions the reality of being born again and returning to his mother’s womb a second time. Jesus does not argue about this, but reaffirms his previous point: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5). Nicodemus says again: “How can these things be?” (John 3:9).
Jesus tenderly asks Nicodemus; How can you be a teacher and not understand these things? Jesus says, how can I tell you heavenly or spiritual things if you don’t even understand the earthly things I say?
Jesus changes the subject back to Moses and the Old Testament story, with which Nicodemus would have been familiar. From his youth, Jesus explains that just as Moses raised the bronze serpent in the desert to heal those who believed, the Son of Man must also be raised on the cross so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. (See John 3:14-15.)
This sets the stage for one of the most famous verses in the Bible, John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus is showing Nicodemus that the kingdom of God is not based on power and political force, but on God’s selfless and sacrificial love that culminates in man’s salvation and eternal life.
Furthermore, Jesus explains to Nicodemus that God did not send Jesus to condemn and judge the world but to save the world from its sin. (See John 3:17.) Jesus concludes his talk with Nicodemus by saying: “And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light…but he who does truth goes out into darkness.” light, that his works may be clearly seen, which have been done in God” (John 3:19, 21).
Jesus teaches Nicodemus
Jesus reminds Nicodemus of the Old Testament story of Moses and the bronze serpent (Numbers 21:4-8).
“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” v14-15.
Like the bronze serpent that was lifted up on a pole, all who looked at it and believed would not die but would live. This story foreshadows the cross.
Jesus told Nicodemus that He would be lifted up (on the cross) as the bronze serpent to save the people from eternal death.
Jesus then gives Nicodemus the incredible truth about God’s plan for salvation in simple terms that remain one of the most well-known and revered Bible verses:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish, but may have eternal life.” v16.
That seems to end this conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, but we see Nicodemus again twice.
P5 – Nicodemus’ defense of Jesus
The second time John writes about Nicodemus is when the Jewish leaders want to arrest Jesus. However, Nicodemus stops his actions by questioning his motives by saying, “Our Law does not judge a man unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” (John 7:51). The Pharisees respond with a personal attack on Nicodemus, saying, “You are not also from Galilee, are you? Search, and see that no prophet arises from Galilee” (John 7:52).
Although Nicodemus raises a verbal question in defense of Jesus, he is still not openly a full-fledged follower of Jesus. However, on Nicodemus’ next appearance of him, things change, and his full support is on the side of Jesus the Messiah.
P6 – Nicodemus’ on the cross
Finally, after Jesus’ death, Nicodemus boldly and publicly removes Jesus’ body from the cross and helps place it in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. Nicodemus also provides about 100 pounds of expensive spices for Jesus’ burial.
Nicodemus now no longer acts in secret. He is fully supporting Jesus and his cause. He has gone from being a silent seeker at night to a verbal advocate, finally to a bold follower who acts physically to honor Jesus, his Lord and Master. Some accounts even mention Nicodemus’ gifts and actions by him, helping the early Christian church to grow in the midst of persecution.
P7 – Conclusion
As you consider the story of Nicodemus, where do you see yourself? Are you a private seeker of truth under cover of darkness? Are you one of those who wants to know more about Jesus and his truths? Do you want to know more about salvation, heaven and the new birth? Or are you a leader in your sphere of influence who only speaks verbally and perhaps coyly about spiritual matters? Or are you one of those who boldly and tangibly acts to defend the honor and mission of Jesus Christ?
Nicodemus the Pharisee
There are about six months to go until the end of Jesus' earthly ministry. Most likely, Nicodemus was aware of what Jesus had been doing since their original nightly meeting with him. He was probably aware of Jesus & # 39; ongoing healing and teachings.
In John 7:50-51, we see Nicodemus speaking to a meeting of the Pharisees. However, the Pharisees were becoming increasingly impatient and frustrated with Jesus and had planned to illegally seize Him by the temple guards. Nicodemus speaks in Jesus’ defense:
“Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before and was one of them, asked: ‘Does our law condemn someone without first hearing him know what he is doing? ‘” v50-51.
Nicodemus did not make a direct declaration of faith in Jesus. Instead, he protests an illegal action based on his own rule of law. Declaring Jesus the Son of God at this point would not have changed the Pharisee’s mind, but by raising a legitimate legal objection, he could protect Jesus.
Isn’t it ironic that the Pharisees, who were so rigorous in keeping the law, flouted it for their own reasons when it came to Jesus?
Nicodemus had turned from a seeker/skeptic to a defender.
Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea
Our last look at the story of Nicodemus comes after…