Nicodemus (/ˌnɪkəˈdiːməs/; Greek: Νικόδημος) was
a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin mentioned in three places in the Gospel of John:
· Nicodemus talks to Jesus about His teachings (John 3:1–21).
·
Nicodemus reminds his colleagues in the Sanhedrin the law requirements include a person be heard before being judged (John 7:50–51).
· Nicodemus, after the Crucifixion of Jesus, provides embalming spices, and assists Joseph of Arimathea in
preparing the body of Jesus for burial(John 19:39–42).
Nicodemus (left) talking to Jesus,
by Henry Ossawa Tanner
As is the case with Lazarus, Nicodemus, not
mentioned in the Synoptic Gospels, is only
mentioned by John,[2] who devotes more
than half of Chapter 3 of his gospel, a few verses of Chapter 7 and lastly mentions him in Chapter 19.
Nicodemus is mentioned as a Pharisee who comes to see Jesus
"at night". John places this meeting shortly after the Cleansing of the Temple and
links it to the signs which Jesus performed in Jerusalem during the Passover feast. "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).
Interesting that Jesus cuts right through Nicodemus' opening
platitudes, and tells this man of learning, "truly, truly I say to you,
unless one is born from above...."
An interesting conversation with Jesus and Nicodemus talking about
the meaning of being "born again"
or "born from above", and mention of seeing the "kingdom of God". Nicodemus asks Jesus about the notion of
being literally born again from one's mother's womb. While some theologians may say that Nicodemus
knew Jesus was not speaking of literal rebirth, and that Nicodemus followed a
method of Rabbinic dialogue. I doubt it.
I believe as James F. Driscoll describes Nicodemus as a learned
and intelligent believer, but somewhat timid and not easily initiated into the
mysteries of the new faith
Nicodemus searched out Jesus, "coming by night," in a
sincere humble manner. Which I believe demonstrates Nicodemus's character. I
take the questions Nicodemus asks are not coming from any form of the slightest
deception. Jesus expresses surprise, perhaps ironically, that "a teacher of
Israel" does not understand the concept of spiritual rebirth..[2]
In Chapter 7, Nicodemus advises his colleagues among "the
chief priests and the Pharisees", to hear and investigate before making a
judgment concerning Jesus. Their mocking response argues that no prophet comes
from Galilee. Nonetheless, it is probable that he wielded a certain
influence in the Sanhedrin.[2]
Finally, when Jesus is buried, Nicodemus brought a mixture
of myrrh and aloes—about
100 Roman pounds (33 kg)—for embalming Jesus' body according to Jewish custom.[John 19:39] Nicodemus must have had some wealth. Jesus of Nazareth:, "The quantity of
the balm is extraordinary and exceeds all normal proportions.
This is a royal burial."[4]
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