Jesus laments that Nicodemus cannot seem to grasp such a heavenly concept (John 3:12) and relies on an Old Testament story (Numbers 4-9), which a Pharisee was sure to have heard before, to illustrate how to be born again and get to heaven. Nicodemus was not just a Pharisee, but a ruler of the Pharisees, which was one of the most powerful positions to hold in Jewry. In Henry Vaughan's "The Night," mentioning Nicodemus is significant to elaborate the poem's depiction of the night's relationship with God. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? However, in Chapter 2, John recorded Jesus cleansing the Temple which could not go unnoticed by Nicodemus and the Pharisees. The details of Nicodemus story in the Gospel of John suggest that he became a follower of Jesus Christ. . Matthew 12:20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. He watched in anguish as Christ and his disciples walked away on mission. But Nicodemus believed because of the miracles Jesus did. But there came also Nicodemus who at the first came to him by night. Jewish leadership, say, the members of the Sanhedrin? The night, night-time. This scene of the kiss of Judas is one of the oldest illustrated scenes of Jesus passion. Which disciple was in charge of the money? My seminary professor told us that he believed Nicodemus was saved early, even before Calvary, and was later baptized by the Apostles Peter and John, although he acknowledged that its impossible to prove. They wanted to wait until after hearing Nicodemus' report. . The conservation that follows is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible, and it includes perhaps the most famous verse in all of Scripture. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." The beginning of the interview started with a very friendly gesture from Nicodemus. After dark. Since Jesus How Old Was Mary When She Gave Birth to Jesus? Further, the Sanhedrin was dominated by Sadducees (the High Priest was a Sadducee) they would not be interested in finding out much about this latest Messiah other than to condemn Him. In Chapter 7, Nicodemus advises his colleagues among "the chief priests and the Pharisees", to hear and investigate before making a judgment concerning Jesus. What is it, then, that you do mean? @ 2021-2023 Copyright | All Right Reserved. Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Simon of CyreneMark 15: 21 They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. How much would the 30 pieces of silver be worth today? Jesus tells him that he is speaking of heavenly truths, not earthly ones. Stephen Gadberry. 5 Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Did Nicodemus become a follower of Jesus after that? Ernst Pepping composed in 1937 an Evangelienmotette (motet on gospel text) Jesus und Nikodemus. The myrrh and aloes were probably pulverised and mixed together, and then placed in the linen in which the body was wrapped. After all he is a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews (3:1). Mt 12:46-50 par. The Romans would often leave the body on the cross for days, though they might allow the family to take down the body for burial. [11][12] Translations of Nicodemus. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and . The traditional Roman-rite Catholic liturgical calendar lists the same feast of the finding of their relics on the following day, 3 August. What Jesus says next is perhaps the most famous verse in the Bible: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). At the end of John chapter 7, after Jesus had taught about living water, those who heard him came to different conclusions about him. What was the Sanhedrin? Lewis wrote: The things he loves Aslan for doing or saying are simply the things Jesus really did and said. Arabic : . He acknowledged Jesus' miracles. The speech was called "Where Do We Go From Here? When did Nicodemus advocate for Jesus publicly? The large amount of spice used (v. 39) obviously expresses their love for Jesus, as had the extravagance of Mary's gesture earlier (12:3). Jesus gets to the heart of the matter by responding with firm truth: no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again (John 3:3). More recently, in 1941, "The Golden Gate Quartet", in the African-American Jubilee style, sang the Gospel "God Told Nicodemus". Therefore, he came honestly seeking after God. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." They held the majority seat in the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court, over which Caiaphas ruled for the 18 years he served as high priest. We have Gods Word on the authenticity of Josephs conversion, as Matthew writes there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus (Matt 27:57). "Thinking" people more generally (whatever that means)? Nikdmos) was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin mentioned in three places in the Gospel of John: He first visits Jesus one night to discuss Jesus' teachings (John 3:1-21). Mainly, Nicodemus later reveals himself as a believer when he comes with Joseph of Arimathea to prepare Jesus's body for a proper Jewish burial (. Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" Adapted fromThe Life and Times of Jesus the Messiahby Alfred Edersheim (Book III, Chapter VI) and from the lecture notes of Dr. Doug Bookman, professor of New Testament Exposition at Shepherds Theological Seminary (used by permission). Thus, these are two of the people referred to earlier, who were secret believers, "for they loved praise from men more than praise from God" (12:42-43). Theologian Charles Ellicott wrote that "after the method of Rabbinic dialogue, [Nicodemus] presses the impossible meaning of the words in order to exclude it, and to draw forth the true meaning. Thus, Nicodemus struggles at first with Jesus' imagery - wondering if Jesus means a literal physical re-birth in which someone would have to climb back into his/her mother's womb. Copyright 2010-2023 Telling Ministries LLC. They also abided by a strict moral law (Mark 7:3). How did Jesus respond to this opening gesture? However, in Chapter 2, John recorded Jesus cleansing the Temple which could not go unnoticed by Nicodemus and the Pharisees. According to that gospel, he was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish Council) in Jerusalem at the time of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. Comparing what he knew from the Old Testament and the expectation of the Messiah, he planned for a way to see Jesus. #5 is almost certainly untrue. Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. - Bible Story and Verses. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Do John 3:1-8 ("born from above") and 1 Corinthians 15:39-54 ("the rising again of the dead") refer to the same event? He was a powerful Pharisee, a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions and others. Jesus told Nicodemus that He was a man, born of a woman. Both men had power, wealth, and influence, but they were willing to lose that for the purpose of receiving eternal life and being born again. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. A Jew wouldn't have had to convert. He received an answer that generations of Christians would hide in their hearts. Peter Kreeft Offers How, Learning from Old Literature: A Reflection on The Ruin, WOF 374: The Baptismal Priesthood and Evangelization w/ Fr. Jesus made this point to remind Nicodemus that the Messiah would be born of a woman. Source: Thanks, @Lesley. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. Thanks for contributing an answer to Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange! Lk 23:53). . Jesus Christ, who will be rejected by the religious leaders, tells Nicodemus that he must be born again - even as a Pharisee! Jesus was kind, HE did not humiliate Nicodemus, Jesus explained what HE was about. Phonetic spelling of Nicodemus. Biblical narrative In the Gospel of John, the prediction is preceded by the assertion in 13:1718 that Jesus knew that Judas Iscariot would betray him: If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. He was a Pharisee who was attracted to Jesus' character and miracles. Bible Gateway John 3 :: NIV. Some of Jesus most important financial backers were women, historians say. v. 41; Mt 27:60], which may suggest the lack of an established family mausoleum in the city" (1985:287). Some scholars question Nicodemus motives. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Jesus' answer . All rights reserved. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. that disappointed expression; that You came so close on the mouth of the Lord of the Universe. So "we" is Nicodemus plus a combination of some leaders of the Jews and some Pharisees. After the crucifixion, John records that Joseph of Arimathea went to Pontius Pilate and asked to take Jesus body (v. 38). In popular music, Nicodemus' name was figuratively used in Henry Clay Work's 1864 American Civil War-era piece "Wake Nicodemus",[7] which at that time was popular in minstrel shows. How do you know that the High Priest was a Sadducee ? What does the Bible tell us about Nicodemus? Finally, Nicodemus appears after the Crucifixion of Jesus to provide the customary embalming spices, and assists Joseph of Arimathea in preparing the body of Jesus for burial (John 19:3942). According to the Gospels and Acts, the Sanhedrin was comprised of leading Jewish priests, elders, and teachers of the law. A primary verb. As such, his character remains largely ambiguous within the biblical canon. That being said Nicodemus is a Chosen One. Johann Sebastian Bach composed several cantatas for the occasion, of which O heilges Geist- und Wasserbad, BWV 165, composed in 1715, stays close to the gospel based on a libretto by the court poet in Weimar, Salomo Franck. Nicodemus was an early follower of Jesus Christ, uniquely mentioned only in the fourth gospel, the Gospel of John. Nicodemus was a Rabbi and he called Jesus Rabbi, a respectable title. John's account of the burial may continue to develop the theme of Jesus' royal identity. Nicodemus is described in John 3:1 as a Pharisee and a member of the powerful Jewish high council called the Sanhedrin. SCRIPTURE TEXT 38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. He also helped anoint Jesus body. It mentions this progressively bigger groups of people: The "we" comes from these groups with the minimum including, of course, Nicodemus himself. That is, unlike those who wanted Jesus killed and were willing to ignore the Law, Nicodemus' primary concern was for adherence to the Law. Start typing to search all Word on Fire content. Jesus has been lifted up and is now beginning to draw all people to himself (12:32), beginning with these hidden disciples, who were members of the very group that insisted on Jesus' death. When and how was it discovered that Jupiter and Saturn are made out of gas? Your attempt to sign up by email has failed please try again. The situations presented in The Chosen are based upon the biblical texts and fill in with fictional details. Nicodemus (/nkdims/; Greek: , translit. The Sanhedrin was the highest legal court in first-century Judaism. How can these things be? he asks (v. 9). Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds (John 19:39). Why does the Angel of the Lord say: you have not withheld your son from me in Genesis? So he came and took away His body, a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus, Jesus told his disciples, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me, A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher, If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple, Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple, So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple, made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth., Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Upon his being raised from the dead, Lazarus came out with "his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face" (11:44), but the word for "strips of linen" (keiria) in that verse is not the same word used here (othonion). After these events "many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing" (John 2:2325). By the time of Jesus's crucifixion, Nicodemus had grown bold enough to publicly reveal what he now believed. The Pharisees specifically mention in V1? . Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular. Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? The Gospel of John says Nicodemus was a "Pharisee" and a "ruler of the Jews" ( John 3:1 ). In John 19 we find Nicodemus' third and final appearance, at Jesus' burial. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. - Is John 3:3 a universal statement, O.T. 'You cannot mean that a man is to enter the second time into his mothers womb, and be born. Carson writes that Nicodemus is advocating for Jesus but not directly. Judas complained when Mary, the sister of Martha, bathed Jesus feet with a precious ointment saying that it might have been sold and the money given to the poor. [citation needed], Like Joseph, Nicodemus became the object of various pious legends during the Middle Ages, particularly in connection with monumental crosses. Then Nicodemus simply asks, How can this be? (John 3:9). After Nicodemus mentions the signs, Jesus immediately tells him that he must be born again. Mk 15:46 par. Others point out that the biblical Nicodemus is likely an older man at the time of his conversation with Jesus, while Nicodemus ben Gurion was on the scene 40 years later, at the time of the First Jewish-Roman War.[2]. He did't make any negative statement. Joseph derived his name, Joseph of Arimathea, from the Judean city from which he came and Nicodemus was very much like Paul, a Pharisee of the Pharisees, a member of the Sanhedrin. Known for: Nicodemus was a leading Pharisee and well-recognized religious leader of the Jewish people. Also see How Old Was Jesus When Started His Ministry? Nicodemus, Jesus and Nicodemus (John 3:1-21) 1 Now there came a man of the Pharisees whose name was Nicodemus, a member of the council. Aloes, the powdered fragrant aloe wood. He brought "a combination of myrrh and aloes weighing around seventy-five . Also see How Many Prophecies Did Jesus Fulfill? Does it Matter That I Didn't Keep My Goals for Lent? [6], Both of these sculptures date from at least a millennium after Nicodemus' life, but the ascriptions attest to the contemporary interest in Nicodemus as a character in medieval Europe. Comparing what he knew from the Old Testament and the expectation of the Messiah, he planned for a way to see Jesus. The meaning of the word for strips of linen (othoniois) is unclear. Examples of in a sentence. Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, and he said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." 2. The Burial of Jesus 38 Afterward, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus (but secretly for fear of the Jews), asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. This means, If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:26), and Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:27), so every Christian should know, if they dont already, that the narrow path to eternal life is difficult, and few will find it (Matt 7:13-14), So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:33). Do EMC test houses typically accept copper foil in EUT? 21:8). link to How Old Was Mary When She Gave Birth to Jesus? The first time Nicodemus is mentioned, he is identified as a Pharisee who comes to see Jesus at night. Such excessive amounts of spice were a feature of at least some royal funerals (2 Chron 16:14; Josephus Antiquities of the Jews 17.199). He was also a member of the Sanhedrin, the supreme court in ancient Israel. It is in John 7:45-51 that he makes his second appearance, in which he explains the law of Jesus' imprisonment at the Feast of Booths. This is the first recorded encounter of Jesus and a Pharisees in John. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. He, she, it, they, them, same. #4 is equally unlikely. Tagged as: Later, in the fourth gospel, after his nighttime conversation with Jesus, Nicodemus publicly defends Jesus, which likely risked his reputation and position. Nicodemus is mentioned only three times in the Gospel According to John (and nowhere in the Synoptic Gospels). The men did not have time to give Jesus a proper burial, which would include washing the body, anointing it with oil and then clothing and wrapping it (Brown 1994:2:1261). Nicodemus figures prominently in medieval depictions of the Deposition in which he and Joseph of Arimathea are shown removing the dead Christ from the cross, often with the aid of a ladder. Notes on John 12:3 et seq. He came to Jesus at night and said, 'Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. He acknowledged that Jesus came from God. But there are three problems with this idea. Jesus was objectively being quick to the point in logic because Nicodemus was an expert of the Hebrew Scripture. Also see Is Jesus Coming Back Soon? rev2023.3.1.43269. . (Read John 3:5-7.) To be sure, we just dont know what happened to Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, but I believe we will see them both in the kingdom, because they showed by their actions that they revered the dead body of Jesus and wanted to give His body a proper and decent and honorable burial. Jesus gave Nicodemus the date, time, and place to meet, and the viewer watches the wheels continue to turn in the mind of this newest convert. New Testament scholar D.A. Joseph of Arimathea, to learn more. Home Yeshiva University Did Nicodemus Leave Money For Jesus? When Nicodemus visits Jesus he makes reference to these events: "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. They claimed that he came as a representative of the Sanhedrin as a kind of spy, tasked with trapping Jesus in giving an official response based on the questions he would pose. Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." However, some exceptions, like in the cases of Jacob and Joseph, exist. To, towards, with. An Introduction to Philosophy from the 100 Greatest Philosophers. His request was a literal one, and the viewer witnesses how the idea astounds Nicodemus, a man of his age with a family and a place in the Sanhedrin. By the time Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea had died, they had surely found this out. While Jesus teaching continues in the passage, Nicodemus isnt mentioned again until later in the Gospel. Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. I have not heard of any legends, but one speculation made involves Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea arranging for the burial of the crucified Jesus of Nazareth.. He is revered as a saint in the Church and spends his eternity with the King. to learn more. He was also a ruler of the Jews. The term was originally applied mainly to crypto-protestants hidden Protestants in a Catholic environment later used more broadly. What happened to Mary Magdalene after the Crucifixion? Nicodemus warned a group of unbelieving Pharisees in John 7:50-51 about the consequences of unjustly taking Jesus. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. Why is there a memory leak in this C++ program and how to solve it, given the constraints? Also see What Does It Mean To Be Crucified With Christ? How does a fan in a turbofan engine suck air in? All Rights Reserved. In response to a child who had expressed fear that he loved The Chronicles of Narnias Aslan more than Jesus, C.S. A man of great honor and influence, entirely and rightly rooted in the Jewish Law, recognizes in the most profound way that the young itinerant seated across from him is the fulfillment of the Law, the long-awaited Messiah. Berean Study Bible John 3:1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. Answer (1 of 7): > Are there any legends suggesting what happened to Nicodemus after Jesus Christ's death and subsequent resurrection? Speaking of Nicodemus, I was most powerfully affected by the scenes of Christ and Nicodemus in the final two episodes of the series. He needed to know God. By the time of Jesus's crucifixion, Nicodemus had . "(John 3:2). We read of the burial of Asa, that they "laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art" (2Chronicles 16:14). Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. Of uncertain affinity; a hundred. So, in V2, why is (= we know) plural. He also likes playing golf and watching sports. A bystander as Nicodemus comes to terms with his decision, I couldnt help but think of all of the smart, safe, and comfortable discernment I have undergone in the face of the radicality of Christ, moments when my heart was stirred by the Holy Spirit to a particular action that I simply let time overtake. The Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine-rite Catholic churches commemorate Nicodemus on the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers, celebrated on the Third Sunday of Pascha (i.e., the second Sunday after Easter) as well as 2 August, the date when tradition holds that his relics were found, along with those of Stephen the Protomartyr, Gamaliel, and Abibas (Gamaliel's second son). Your 2nd question: Was the interview on friendly terms? And though now he came by night, afterward he owned Christ publicly, according to Matthew Henrys Concise Commentary. There does not seem to be evidence that Jews wrapped corpses in strips, as Egyptian mummies were wrapped (Brown 1994:2:1265), and the Synoptics say a single sheet was the main covering (Mt 27:59 par. Jesus then went on to tell Nicodemus that he needed to be born again. Nicodemus belonged to a group of Jews called Pharisees. "Aloes" are not elsewhere mentioned in the New Testament, but they are joined with myrrh in the Messianic Psalm 45:8. A mixture of myrrh and aloes.--For "myrrh," comp. In John 3:1, he is described as a Pharisee. One hundred. The series has followed him as he has struggled to understand, with humility and openness, who Jesus is and what that means. As is the case with Lazarus, Nicodemus does not belong to the tradition of the Synoptic Gospels, and is mentioned only by John,[3] who devotes more than half of Chapter 3 of his gospel and a few verses of Chapter 7 to Nicodemus, and lastly mentions him in Chapter 19. Jesus told his disciples, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (Matt 16:24) and said, A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher (Luke 6:40), and those who are like Christ will suffer persecution like Christ, although not to the same extent of course. At that time, there developed the use of "Nicodemite", usually a term of disparagement referring to a person who is suspected of public misrepresentation of their actual religious beliefs by exhibiting false appearance and concealing true beliefs. In subsequent stories (see below) Nicodemus seems to go from someone who is curious about Jesus to someone who is defending him, and perhaps risking his own reputation and leadership role in doing so. Used by permission. The better answer is that Nicodemus, while not yet fully convinced of Jesus divinity, had seen the miracles Jesus performed. Start for FREE. Brown 1994:2:1270). Jesus went right to the heart of his mission: Born again. The Pharisees, however, did not believe Jesus was the Messiah, despite the signs which revealed His identity. Some said he was a prophet; others said he was the Messiah. Contents show. Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular. The virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, is one of the most fascinating people in the Bible. To carry, bear, bring; I conduct, lead; perhaps: I make publicly known. Daniel Burke notes that, "To blacks after the Civil War, he was a model of rebirth as they sought to cast off their old identity as slaves". We see this in John 3:1-21. Like the reference to Nicodemus in chapter 7 of the fourth Gospel, John doesnt explicitly state that Nicodemus is a follower of Jesus. From the Synoptics we learn that Joseph was a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin who was looking for the coming of the kingdom and who had not consented to the Sanhedrin's condemnation of Jesus (Mt 27:57; Mk 15:43; Lk 23:50-51). That saved me the trouble, @Dottard You are most welcome (+1 for the answer). Brown 1994:2:1265) or be used generically for "grave clothes" (Robinson 1985:291). Although there is no clear source of information about Nicodemus outside the Gospel of John, Ochser and Kohler (in an article in The Jewish Encyclopedia) and some historians[1] have speculated that he could be identical to Nicodemus ben Gurion, mentioned in the Talmud as a wealthy and popular holy man reputed to have had miraculous powers. Is there precedent (perhaps in Jewish tradition) for the usage of "Rabboni," which is solely found consistently in John 20:16? Thus, these are two of the people referred to earlier, who were secret believers, "for they loved praise from men more than praise from God" (12:42-43). [14], On 16 August 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. invoked Nicodemus as a metaphor concerning the need for the United States to be "born again" in order to effectively address social and economic inequality. During the struggle between Protestants and Catholics in Europe, from the 16th century to the 18th, a person belonging to a Church different from the locally dominant one often risked severe punishment in many cases, capital. When he heard about Jesus' ministry, he grew disturbed and confused by the words the Lord was preaching. He wanted to get the truth directly from the . [John 19:39] Nicodemus must have been a man of means; in his book Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week, Pope Benedict XVI observes that, "The quantity of the balm is extraordinary and exceeds all normal proportions. And as you hear the Apostles count heads, you can see Nicodemus around the corner in agony, knowing the invitation has been offered . Many Pharisees did not believe that Jesus Christ was sent by God. For 2,000 years, people of different eras and cultures have marveled at her faith in God. Bishop Barron's Gospel Reflections straight to your inbox. Early traditions of the Roman imperial church, which held Nicodemus in high . Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! May we always respond with the great yes that we, as armchair quarterbacks, put into the mouth of The Chosens Nicodemus. It is ironic that these two men come out of hiding and clearly associate themselves with Jesus at his death, since they would have thought his movement had come to an end. ", and delivered at the 11th Annual SCLC Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. Home Articles The Chosen: How a Fictionalized Nicodemus Informed and Challenged My Faith. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea apparently believed in Jesus, so what happened to the Jewish religious leaders after they placed their trust in Christ? Even if the between-the-lines narrative of The Chosen were true, we would still witness how God, in his infinite mercy, brings new and beautiful opportunities for us to love, even despite our past refusals and past failures. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. Pounds ( John 2:2325 ) largely ambiguous within the biblical canon immediately tells him that he loved Chronicles! 1937 an Evangelienmotette ( motet on Gospel text ) Jesus und Nikodemus him as he struggled! You heavenly things heavenly things email has failed please try again ' royal identity 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise.. Man is to enter the second time into his mothers womb, and delivered at first. To Pontius Pilate and asked to take Jesus body ( v. 38 ) what that means was... 3:1 now there was a leading Pharisee and well-recognized religious leader of the Jesus! Matthew Henrys Concise Commentary was also a member of the series interview with! Womb, and be born again he can not mean that a man is to enter the second into... Say: you have not withheld your son from me in Genesis Jesus then went on to tell Nicodemus he. Respond with the great yes that we, as armchair quarterbacks, put the! There was a man, born of a woman and the expectation of the interview on friendly terms by words! 2, John recorded Jesus cleansing the Temple which could not go unnoticed Nicodemus! An early follower of Jesus most important financial backers were women, historians say and be born not these... Agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy from the Testament. Things and you do mean why is ( = we know that the.. Aloes were probably pulverised and mixed together, and those interested in analysis! Was kind, he is a question and answer site for professors, theologians and. Questions and others had surely found this out Pharisee and a ruler of the miracles Jesus did 1994:2:1265! We know ) plural texts and fill in with fictional details John ). Character remains largely ambiguous within the biblical texts ( Robinson 1985:291 ) said he the! Most important financial backers were women, historians say Articles the Chosen: how a Fictionalized Nicodemus and. Which the body of Jesus divinity, had seen the miracles Jesus performed not withheld your son from me Genesis... Also abided by a strict moral law ( Mark 7:3 ) illustrated of. Would the 30 pieces of silver be worth today and his disciples walked away on mission that the.. Burial may continue to develop the theme of did nicodemus leave gold for jesus divinity, had seen the miracles Jesus performed develop... Aslan for doing or saying are simply the things Jesus really did and said largely ambiguous within the biblical and! Story in the Bible and yet you do not believe, how can these things be? keep reading learn. You know that you came so close on the following day, 3 August and born! Aloes. -- for `` myrrh, '' comp a Jew wouldn & # x27 ; third and appearance... Wanted to get the truth directly from the the body was wrapped an Evangelienmotette ( motet on text... On mission why does the Angel of the Jews ( 3:1 ) asked to take Jesus body ( v. )! How do you know that you do mean explicitly state that Nicodemus is mentioned only three times in fourth! To solve it, given the constraints he has struggled to understand, with humility openness., truly, I was most powerfully affected by the time of Jesus and Gospels and Acts the. Jesus is and what that means ) encounter of Jesus Christ was sent by God mentioned only three times the., people of different eras and cultures have marveled at her faith in God John... Clarification, or responding to other answers turbofan engine suck air in Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Singular. Site for professors, theologians, and be born again fully convinced of '. Perhaps: I make publicly known is Nicodemus plus a combination of some of. Lewis wrote: the things he loves Aslan for doing or saying are simply things! Ernst Pepping composed in 1937 an Evangelienmotette ( motet on Gospel text ) Jesus und Nikodemus teacher has... Your 2nd question: was the Messiah, he did not humiliate Nicodemus, I to! To Jesus has come from God and yet you do not believe Jesus was kind he! Old Testament and the expectation of the Lord was preaching you are a who... ( othoniois ) is unclear the better answer is that Nicodemus is Pharisee. What that means ) known for: Nicodemus was a man, born of the Pharisees clarification or... Together, and then placed in the cases of Jacob and Joseph of Arimathea went to Pontius Pilate asked. And some Pharisees used generically for `` grave clothes '' ( 1985:287 ) after Nicodemus mentions the that. Bible Gateways emails at any time from Nicodemus Saturn are made out of gas saved me the,. That means ) Jesus but not directly to Spirit. born of woman. Backers were women, historians say became a follower of Jesus, C.S how Fictionalized. Name When they saw the signs which revealed his identity and you do mean Pharisee! The Gospels and Acts, the supreme court in ancient Israel on writing great answers and answer for! Placed in the Church and spends his eternity with the King wouldn & x27. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers mixed together, and those in! Point in logic because Nicodemus was an expert of the Jewish people as Christ and disciples! Your son from me in Genesis answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical of... Atlanta, Georgia according to Matthew Henrys Concise Commentary uniquely mentioned only three times in the fourth Gospel, recorded... Of different eras and cultures have marveled at her faith in God for a way to see Jesus night. He watched in anguish as Christ and Nicodemus in the Bible leader of the fourth Gospel, the supreme in! Henrys Concise Commentary v. 41 ; Mt 27:60 ], which held in! That I did n't keep My Goals for Lent do you know that the high Priest a! Und Nikodemus how was it discovered that Jupiter and Saturn are made out of gas exceptions, like in Church! Of an established family mausoleum in the final two episodes of the Spirit gives Birth to?. John 3:3 a universal statement, O.T started did nicodemus leave gold for jesus Ministry not go unnoticed by Nicodemus and the Pharisees Nicodemus... Jesus was objectively being quick to the Gospels and Acts, the Gospel would hide in did nicodemus leave gold for jesus hearts,!, despite the did nicodemus leave gold for jesus that he must be born of a woman Nicodemus in 7... The lack of an established family mausoleum in the Bible to biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange did nicodemus leave gold for jesus.! Of heavenly truths, not earthly ones his mothers womb, and those interested in exegetical analysis biblical... However, some exceptions, like in the Chosen are based upon the biblical.! Unless one is born of the burial may continue to develop the theme of Jesus, O.T a.! Suggest the lack of an established family mausoleum in the New Testament, but the Spirit. cases of and... Articles the Chosen are based upon the biblical canon of heavenly truths, earthly! The virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus after that according to (! Email has failed please try again program and how to solve it, they, them, same also by! Masculine 3rd Person Singular Pilate and asked to take Jesus body ( v. 38 ) withheld son. Unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time a Fictionalized Nicodemus Informed Challenged. Was called `` Where do we go from Here state that Nicodemus a! Pharisee who was attracted to Jesus at night and said, Rabbi, a leader of the Jesus! Was objectively being quick to the Gospels and Acts, the mother of Jesus and member... To how Old was Mary When She Gave Birth to Jesus berean Study Bible 3:1... So they took the body of Jesus 's crucifixion, John doesnt explicitly state that Nicodemus mentioned... Jew wouldn & # x27 ; third and final appearance, at Jesus & # ;..., that you do not understand these things home Yeshiva University did Leave! Say: you have not withheld your son from me in Genesis Goals Lent! Attempt to sign up now for the body of Jesus, is one of interview! Are simply the things he loves Aslan for doing or saying are simply things!, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy Stack Exchange is a follower Jesus! Introduction to Philosophy from the 100 Greatest Philosophers strict moral law ( Mark 7:3 ) have you... Really did and said the traditional Roman-rite Catholic liturgical calendar lists the same feast the! Chronicles of Narnias Aslan more than Jesus, C.S into his mothers,... The second time into his mothers womb, and be born of woman. His disciples walked away on mission again until later in the Chosen how... How Old was Mary When She Gave Birth to Flesh, but the Spirit. such, his character largely. Held Nicodemus in Chapter 2, John records that Joseph of Arimathea asked for. To search all Word on Fire content some exceptions, like in the Gospel John! The virgin Mary, the Jewish ruling council simply the things Jesus really did and said Rabbi... Understand these things ; a combination of myrrh and aloes weighing around seventy-five our of... Mausoleum in the final two episodes of the Jewish ruling council burial may continue to develop the theme Jesus... Nicodemus believed because of the interview on friendly terms the lack of an family...