Nicodemus
A respected teacher who came to Jesus by night, and later came openly to bury him.
New Testament · 1st century · John · Also known as Ruler of the Jews, Teacher of Israel
About Nicodemus
Nicodemus was a Pharisee and "a ruler of the Jews" who came to Jesus by night: "Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God." Jesus told him, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God," and Nicodemus asked, "How can a man be born when he is old?" In that conversation come the words "God so loved the world." Later, when the council condemned Jesus unheard, Nicodemus asked, "Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him?" After the crucifixion he brought about a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes to bury Jesus with Joseph of Arimathea.
The Pharisees were devoted teachers of the law; the "ruler" title suggests Nicodemus sat on the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council. In John’s Gospel night and darkness often carry meaning. Scholars discuss whether John 3:16-21 continues Jesus’ words or is John’s reflection.
The story
By night
"There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him."
John 3:1-2
Born again
"Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." "How can a man be born when he is old?" asked Nicodemus. Jesus spoke of being "born of water and of the Spirit," and of the wind that "bloweth where it listeth." "How can these things be?" Then: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:3-16
Doth our law judge any man?
When the chief priests and Pharisees dismissed Jesus, Nicodemus, "being one of them," said, "Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?" They mocked him: "Art thou also of Galilee?"
John 7:45-52
An hundred pound weight
After Jesus died, Joseph of Arimathea asked for his body. "And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight." They wrapped Jesus’ body in linen with the spices and laid him in a new tomb.
John 19:38-42
Key moments
- Comes by night: "A teacher come from God." (John 3:2)
- "Ye must be born again": A puzzling answer. (John 3:7)
- "God so loved the world": In the same conversation. (John 3:16)
- Defends a fair hearing: Before the council. (John 7:51)
- Buries Jesus: With myrrh and aloes. (John 19:39)
Questions about Nicodemus
In meetBible these answers are given in Nicodemus’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
What does "born again" mean?
I took it literally: "How can a man be born when he is old?" Jesus explained, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God… That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." The Greek can also mean "born from above." Christians understand it as new life given by God’s Spirit, and traditions differ on how it relates to baptism.
Why did you come at night?
John says I "came to Jesus by night," and later reminds readers I was the one "which at the first came to Jesus by night." He doesn’t say why. Some suggest fear of the other leaders, others simply a quiet time for a long talk. John also writes of Joseph of Arimathea as a disciple "secretly for fear of the Jews."
Did you become a follower of Jesus?
John never says so in words. He shows me moving: first coming in secret, then defending Jesus’ right to a hearing before the council, then openly bringing about a hundred pounds of spices to give him a burial fit for a king. Many readers see a growing faith; the text lets my actions speak.
Connected people
- Jesus: Came to him by night
- Joseph of Arimathea: Buried Jesus together
- Moses: Jesus spoke of Moses’ serpent
Read it yourself
Start with John 3:1-21; 7:45-52; 19:38-42.