1st century AD · Jesus’ ministry around AD 28-30
Nicodemus in the Bible
The Pharisee Who Came by Night. Name meaning: From the Greek Nikodēmos, “victor of the people”: a Greek name borne by a Jewish Pharisee
A Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews, Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night and receives from him one of the greatest lessons in the Gospels: “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7). He later speaks up for Jesus before the Pharisees (John 7:50-51), and after the crucifixion he brings about a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes to help Joseph of Arimathea bury him (John 19:39-40).
Key moments
- He comes to Jesus by night John 3:2
- “Ye must be born again” John 3:7
- “How can these things be?” John 3:9
- “Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?” John 3:10
- “Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him?” John 7:51
- He brings about a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes John 19:39
- He buries Jesus with Joseph of Arimathea John 19:40–42
Strengths
- Search for truth
- Caution
- Respect for the Law
- Belated faithfulness
Weaknesses
Nicodemus comes by night, and the conversation leaves him puzzled: “How can these things be?” (John 3:2, 9). Before the Pharisees, he only pleads that Jesus be heard according to the Law (John 7:51); the text doesn’t say he confessed his faith publicly at that point.
Lessons for today
- You must be born again: new life is the work of the Spirit, not of religious effort, even for “a master of Israel” (John 3:3-10).
- God so loved the world that he gave his only Son: whoever believes in him has eternal life (John 3:16).
- Honest questions are welcome: Jesus answers Nicodemus at length, because he came looking (John 3:1-8).
- A quiet step can ripen into courage: Nicodemus defends Jesus (John 7:51), then helps bury him (John 19:39-40).
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
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.
Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
People around Nicodemus
- Jesus — The Teacher he comes to see by night, and later helps bury
- Joseph of Arimathea — A secret disciple, with whom he buries Jesus
- The Pharisees — His colleagues, who answer his plea with “Art thou also of Galilee?”
Stories with Nicodemus
Quiz: how well do you know Nicodemus?
At what time of day did Nicodemus come to Jesus?
Nicodemus “came to Jesus by night.” John mentions it twice more, in chapters 7 and 19. John 3:1–2
Which group did Nicodemus belong to?
“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.” John 3:1
Who helped Nicodemus bury Jesus?
Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus, and Nicodemus “came also.” “Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices.” John 19:38–40
There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.