Jesus Teaches Nicodemus - Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling 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 you are doing if God were not with him." Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born.
(John 3:16-21) Bible Commentary on Nicodemus Nicodemus was afraid, or ashamed to be seen with Christ, therefore came in the night. When religion is out of fashion, there are many Nicodemites. But though he came by night, Jesus bid him welcome, and hereby taught us to encourage good beginnings, although weak.
Nicodemus is a prominent figure in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Gospel of John. He is important because his interaction with Jesus provides significant theological insights and is central to the Christian understanding of faith, rebirth, and salvation. Discover the powerful story of Nicodemus in the Bible.
Explore Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3 to understand the necessity of being born again and how it applies to you today. Nicodemus's story fits within John's larger theological framework, which emphasizes the themes of light and darkness, belief and unbelief, and the necessity of spiritual rebirth. His character serves as a foil to other figures in the Gospel, contrasting with those who reject Jesus outright and those who believe immediately.
Nicodemus' cautious curiosity when he came to see Jesus at night. Nicodemus' confusion when Jesus spoke of being born again. Initial-situation: Jesus was unknown outside of his hometown of Nazareth when he began his first year of ministry.
John the Baptist was famous, and crowds were flocking to hear him and to be baptized by him. Jesus' rich teachings included a reference to the Old Testament event when the Israelites gazed up at a bronze serpent on a raised pole to be healed of their illnesses. Nicodemus was a teacher of the Law, so he would have known this story well.
Unlike Nicodemus, we have the perspective of history. Nicodemus is best known for secretly meeting Jesus at night because he feared being seen by the Jewish leaders. He was a Pharisee and very wealthy.
>> Get your free Bible study guide: A Second Chance at Life Browse Article Contents: Meaning of Nicodemus Appearances in the book of John Meeting Jesus secretly "Defending" Jesus verbally Taking Jesus from the cross Conclusion Nicodemus' name. Jesus gently rebukes Nicodemus, a prominent teacher of the Old Testament law, because he finds our Lord's words so new and so difficult (3:10). And so in verse 14, Jesus turns to the Old Testament to clarify what He has told Nicodemus.