The Story of Nicodemus: 10 Facts Worth Knowing

The Story of Nicodemus: 10 Facts Worth Knowing

Nicodemus was a Pharisee as well as a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. He was a religious leader and teacher, in Judaism, who came to see Jesus at night in John 3:2. Nicodemus was greatly impacted by Jesus despite being a Pharisee. Jesus Christ led him on a journey of faith that took Nicodemus from confusion to belief and eventually discipleship. At the time, the pharisee saw Jesus as a false prophet because of his teachings but Nicodemus was intrigued by Jesus’ teachings.

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In John 7:50-51, Nicodemus defended Jesus against the Pharisees who were criticizing him without cause. He even urged them to listen to Jesus before they condemned him. After Jesus was buried, Nicodemus bought expensive burial spices to help prepare Jesus’ body for burial. 

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It should be noted that in the early church tradition, Nicodemus is noted as a true follower of Jesus. He was even baptized after Pentecost and died martyred due to his faith. Even though he was a secret convert, Nicodemus was able to open up and become a disciple of Jesus Christ.

1. He was a Member of the Jewish Ruling Council

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Nicodemus is introduced in John 3:1-2 when he goes to Jesus at night. The verse states, “Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council, who came to Jesus at night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miracles you are doing if God were not with him.’” Through this verse, we can see the spiritual rebirth of a Pharisee. We are also introduced to the concept of Jesus as the Son of God.

John 3:1 shows how Nicodemus acknowledges that Jesus is a teacher who came from God. When he is talking to Jesus, he starts with ‘Rabbi’ which means teacher in Jewish.

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2. He was Hestitant to be Seen with Jesus

John 3:2 is the continuation of the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. The verse states, “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.” Nicodemus comes to see Jesus at night because his fellow Pharisees thought that Jesus Christ was a false prophet who performed miracles.

Nicodemus didn’t want to be seen by his fellow Pharisees because he knew they would have disapproved of his meeting with Jesus. However, it is noted that Nicodemus would have had a busy schedule during the day which made him visit Jesus at night.

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3. Jesus Christ taught him about Spiritual Rebirth

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In John 3:3-4, Jesus teaches Nicodemus that someone can be born again when they are already old. Jesus also explains that physical birth is not being born again but spiritual birth is. The verse states that “Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’ Nicodemus asked, ‘How can someone be born when they are old? Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!’”

Through this verse, we are introduced to the concept of spiritual rebirth. Some Christians believe that being born again is a once-in-a-lifetime event. This passage offers comfort and hope to Christians just like I believe it did for Nicodemus.

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4. Nicodemus was Amazed by John 3:16

The verse reads, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Nicodemus always believed that God loved his people, the Israelites. However, he never heard anyone say that God loved the world so much that he would give his own Son. He also believed that salvation was only for the Israelites. But the verse showed him that salvation was available to everyone.

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5. He Defended Jesus Christ against the Pharisees

In John 7:50-51, Nicodemus defends Jesus after the plot to arrest him. In the previous verses, he is noted for speaking highly of Jesus Christ. The verse says, “Nicodemus, the one who came to him at night before and said to them, ‘Does our law judge man without first giving him a hearing and finding out what he has done?’ They replied, “Are you also from Galilee? Get to know the Scriptures and you will see that no prophet comes from Galilee.‘” 

Nicodemus defended Jesus Christ because he knew that the Pharisees would try anything and everything to make Jesus look like a bad man. However, he defended Jesus and showed integrity.

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6. He helped prepare Jesus’ Body for Burial

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After Jesus was crucified, Nicodemus helped prepare Jesus Christ’s body for burial. The verse states, “There came also Nicodemus, bringing a mixture of myrrh and shoes, about a hundred-pound weight.” This verse is significant because it shows the willingness of Nicodemus to associate with Jesus. During that time, it was have brought Nicodemus trouble because Jesus was considered to be a criminal.

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7. Nicodemus is an Inspiration to Christians

Depte is influence and position, Nicodemus was not afraid to approach Jesus and inquire about his teachings. He was also open to new ideas and was willing to challenge his own preconceptions. In John 7:50-51, Nicodemus defended Jesus and his teachings against the Jewish council. This showed courage to stand up for what is right and it reminds us that we should be bold in our faith and not be afraid to speak up against injustice.

Aside from his integrity, Christians can also admire Nicodemus’ growth. His willingness to change is an important part of the Christian journey because Christians can learn from Nicodemus.

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8. Scholars see Him as a Bridge

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Due to Nicodemus’s position as a member of the ruling council, he was able to give a unique perspective on Jesus’ ministry.  Nicodemus was able to see Jesus from both the inside and outside of the Jewish establishment. This position allowed him to play a valuable role in bridging the gap between Jesus and the Jewish leadership. Christian scholars view him as a fascinating figure because he embodied everything God calls us to be. He was a man of faith, and integrity, and was able to grow in the word.

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9. Nicodemus was a Seeker of Truth

When he risked his reputation to stand up for Jesus, it was because he knew that the Pharisees would try anything to make Jesus look like a false prophet. He is open to recognizing the truth outside the established institutions. Nicodemus explored whether truth could be found in the teachings. All in all, he was a model of a man willing to consider sources of truth even when they threatened his position and establishment ideology.

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10. He died a Martyr

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According to the early church history, it is noted that Nicodemus died a martyr for his Christian faith. Even though the bible doesn’t record this, there are a number of extra-biblical sources on the death of Nicodemus. It should be noted that in the 5th century, a Christian writer named Sextus Julius Africanus claimed that Nicodemus was among the first Christian martyrs.

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All in all, Nicodemus’s entire story marks the true meaning of faith and spiritual rebirth. It wasn’t until Jesus died that he became confident with his faith and was even baptized at Pentecost. Nicodemus sacrificed greatly for the sake of following Christ. We should remember that he went from being a religious leader to a secret convert and eventually, to an open supporter as well as a disciple of Jesus Christ.