Why Did Nicodemus Not Follow Jesus

Who Was Nicodemus in the Bible & Was He Saved?

According to John 3, Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a member of the Jewish ruling council, who came to Jesus in the middle of the night with a question for him. He heard an answer that would be hidden in the minds of Christians for decades to come.

Jesus Teaches Nicodemus: You Must BeBorn Again

Now there was a guy named Nicodemus who belonged to the Pharisees and was the ruler of the Jews. When this man came to Jesus in the middle of the night, he told him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher sent by God, since no one can do the marvels that you perform unless God is there with him.” When he asked Jesus about it, he received the following response: “Truly, truly, I say to you, until one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” “How is it possible for a man to be born when he is old?” Nicodemus inquired.

Is it possible for him to enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?” According to Jesus’ response: “Truthfully, really, I say to you, unless one is born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” When the body gives birth to anything, it is called flesh, and when the Spirit gives birth to something, it is called spirit.

The same holds true for everybody who is born of the Spirit.” “How are these things possible?” Nicodemus inquired of him.
Indeed, I say to you, we speak of what we know and offer witness to what we have witnessed, yet you do not benefit from our testimony.
Except for the Son of Man, no one has ever risen into heaven except for him who descended from heaven.
(See also John 3:1-15)

Nicodemus’ Secret Conversation with Jesus

Throughout John 3, Nicodemus acknowledges that God must have sent Jesus as a result of all of the miraculous wonders that he did. In his response, Jesus gets right to the core of the problem, saying, “. no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” (John 3:3). Nicodemus, pondering both figuratively and practically, wonders how anybody can be born twice (John 3:4). Jesus resumes the discourse with Nicodemus, instructing him on the importance of being born of the Spirit (John 3:5-8).

John 3:12 – Jesus bemoans the fact that Nicodemus cannot seem to understand such a lofty notion as heaven, and he turns to an Old Testament account (Numbers 4-9), which a Pharisee was almost certain to have heard previously, in order to explain how one might be born again and go to paradise.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whomever believes in him may not perish but have everlasting life,” John says in the context of Nicodemus’s tale.

In fact, God did not bring his Son into the world in order to condemn the world, but in order to save the world through him.” (See also John 3:16-17.)

Nicodemus was Not a Spy

Nicodemus’ motivations have been called into doubt by certain researchers. They stated that he came on behalf of the Sanhedrin as a type of snoop, with the mission of tricking Jesus into delivering an official response based on the questions he would pose. After all, Nicodemus uses the first-person plural to express himself (” We know You have come from God as a Teacher “). However, there are three issues with this approach.

In light of the fact that other Jewish authorities confronted Jesus in the open, Nicodemus would not have needed to sneak through the night to see Jesus
Yet, he did not inquire and instead stated that Jesus was a Teacher from God. To be sure, Nicodemus later reveals himself to be a believer when he arrives with Joseph of Arimathea to prepare Jesus’ body for a proper Jewish burial (John 19:39)
But, more importantly, Nicodemus later reveals himself to be a believer when he comes to prepare Jesus’ body for a proper Jewish burial (John 19:39).

Nicodemus was Honestly Seeking God

The most likely explanation is that Nicodemus, while not entirely convinced of Jesus’ divinity at the time, had witnessed the marvels performed by Jesus. He devised a strategy for seeing Jesus by comparing what he understood about the Old Testament with what people expected to happen when the Messiah came. As a result, he arrived sincere in his search for God. By the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, Nicodemus had gained the confidence to share his newfound faith with the rest of the world. According to Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, “and though he arrived by night, subsequently he openly acknowledged Christ as his Lord and Savior.”

What Else Does the Bible Say About Nicodemus?

Nicodemus warned a group of unbelieving Pharisees in John 7:50-51 about the consequences of unjustly taking Jesus. Afterward, in John 19:39, after Jesus had been killed, Nicodemus joined forces with Joseph of Arimathea to bury Jesus in accordance with Jewish tradition. He brought “a combination of myrrh and aloes weighing around seventy-five pounds,” according to the Bible (John 19:39). Adapted from Alfred Edersheim’s The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (Book III, Chapter VI) and from the lecture notes of Dr.

Photograph courtesy of Unsplash/JamesColeman.

Why did Nicodemus not follow Jesus?

Come and see what I’m up to, and all of your questions will be addressed. “Come with me and follow me.” As a result, Nicodemus’ decision, based on his fear, not to follow Jesus would constitute a setback in both his conflict between faith and fear, as well as his struggle with doubt. Is it possible that Jesus has a brother? Jesus’ brothers, James, Joseph/Joses, Judas/Jude, and Simonas are mentioned in both the Gospel of Mark (6:3) and the Gospel of Matthew (13:55–56) as being the son of Mary.

He arrived at Jesus’ house in the middle of the night, sneaking in to see the man behind the miracles.
He wasn’t meant to hang around with the ragtag group of people who followed Jesus.
Bible Gateway is a website that provides access to the Bible.
Now there was a guy named Nicodemus who belonged to the Pharisees and was a member of the Jewish ruling council.

He approached Jesus in the middle of the night and said, “Rabbi, we recognize you as a teacher who has come from God. If God were not present, no one could accomplish the miraculous signs that you are currently performing.”

What was Jesus last name?

Originally Answered: What was the last name of Jesus Christ? He did not have a “last name” in the traditional sense of the word. He was simply known as Yeshua. People would refer to him as “Yeshua ben Yosef,” which translates as “Yeshua the son of Yosef,” in order to distinguish him from the “Yeshua ben Malchi” who lived down the street.

Did Jesus have a twin?

It has recently been discovered that Jesus had a twin brother, who is known as the apostle Thomas, and that it was Thomas, rather than Christ, who was seen following the claimed resurrection.

Does Nicodemus follow Jesus?

It is revealed that Nicodemus is a Pharisee who comes to visit Jesus in the middle of the night the very first time he is mentioned. According to the scriptures, Jesus traveled to Jerusalem to participate in the Passover celebration. In his visit to Jesus, Nicodemus makes reference to these events: “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God,” he tells Jesus.

What did Nicodemus learn from Jesus?

Identified as a Pharisee who comes to meet Jesus at night the first time Nicodemus is referenced is in the book of John, chapter 3. According to the scriptures, Jesus traveled to Jerusalem to participate in the Passover celebration. As a result of these experiences, Nicodemus comes to Jesus and tells him “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God.”

What can we learn from the life of Nicodemus?

What did Nicodemus take away from his encounter with Jesus? Nicodemus was the “teacher of teachers” at the beginning of the story, yet he did not comprehend what it meant to be born of the Spirit. Nicodemus, on the other hand, sought out Jesus in order to receive answers to his sincere questions. In his studies, he discovered that being “religious” and understanding the Scriptures would not get him admittance into paradise.

What is Jesus full name?

It was written in Hebrew that Jesus went by the name of Yeshua, which translates to Joshua in English. So, how did the name “Jesus” come to be given to us?

What does the H stand for in Jesus?

Christ”. Other interpretations include the letter “H” standing for “Holy” or “Harold” (from misquoting the Lord’s prayer as “Our Father, who art in heaven, Harold be thy name.”), as well as footnotes and footnotes. Jesus H. Christ – according to Wikipedia.

Did Jesus have a child?

According to a new book, Jesus Christ was married to Mary Magdalene and had two children with her.

Did Jesus have a wife?

Mary Magdalene, Jesus’s wife, is referred to as According to one of these manuscripts, referred to Mary Magdalene as Jesus’ friend and said that Jesus loved her more than the other disciples. This document is known as the Gospel of Philip.

How many will go to heaven according to the Bible?

As Jesus’s consort, Mary Magdalene was his wife. One of these manuscripts, known as the Gospel of Philip, refers to Mary Magdalene as Jesus’ companion and asserted that Jesus loved her more than the other twelve disciples.

What date is Jesus birthday?

But by the fourth century, we have allusions to two dates that were generally acknowledged — and are still also honored — as Jesus’ birthday: December 25 in the western Roman Empire and January 6 in the Eastern Roman Empire (especially in Egypt and Asia Minor).

What happened to Nicodemus in the Bible?

The Jews then stripped him of his post, beat him, and drove him from Jerusalem, where he was greeted and housed by his kinsmen Gamaliel in his country residence until his death, after which he was laid to rest alongside the remains of St. Stephen.

What is the meaning of Nicodemus?

The Jews then stripped him of his post, beat him, and drove him from Jerusalem, where he was accepted and housed by his kinsmen Gamaliel at his country house until his death, after which he was laid to rest next to the remains of St. Stephen in an honorable burial.

Who climbed the tree to Jesus?

Jesus was travelling through Jericho on his way to Jerusalem. There was a wealthy tax collector named Zacchaeus who served as the city’s principal tax collector. Zacchaeus was a little man who desired to meet Jesus, so he scaled a sycamore tree to get his wish.

What happened to Nicodemus after his encounter with Jesus?

What happened to Nicodemus?

What Zodiac is Jesus?

Because the account of Christ’s birth coincides with this day, many Christian icons for Christ include the astrological sign of Pisces, the fishes, into their designs. The figure of Christ himself embodies many of the temperaments and personality features associated with the Piscean zodiac sign, and as such is regarded as an archetype of the Piscean sign.

Who is the Son of God?

Jesus is referred to as “son of God,” whereas followers of Jesus are referred to as “sons of God.” It is ascribed to Jesus as a nod to his status as the Messiah, or Christ, the King whom God has chosen as his representative (Matthew 26:63).

What is Jesus’s number?

In Christian numerology, the number 888 signifies Jesus, or more precisely Christ the Redeemer, as the number 888 depicts him. This representation may be justified either through gematria, by calculating the letter values of the Greek transcription of Jesus’ name, or as a counter-value to 666, the number of the beast, depending on how you look at things.

What is the name of Jesus wife?

Mary Magdalene is the wife of Jesus.

Who is Lucifer’s father?

Lucifer was described as “the mythical son of Aurora and Cephalus, and the father of Ceyx” by certain sources. In poetry, he was frequently depicted as ushering the coming of day. Lucifer is the Latin term that corresponds to the Greek name Phosphoros. Both in prose and poetry, it is used in the astronomical meaning of the word.

Who is the son of Jesus?

They say that the Aramaic inscriptions reading “Judah, son of Jesus,” “Jesus, son of Joseph,” and the name “Mariamne,” which they believe to be Mary Magdalene, collectively retain the record of a family group that included Jesus, his wife Mary Magdalene and son Judah.

Nicodemus, the mystery man of Holy Week

He came to Jesus in the middle of the night, slipping away to see the guy who was doing the miracles. He was a powerful Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, which he served for many years. He wasn’t meant to hang around with the ragtag group of people who followed Jesus. Nicodemus, on the other hand, needed to know: Was the charming Galilean for real? The following are some of Jesus’ most renowned teachings, as recorded in the Gospel of John: Nobody can glimpse the kingdom of God until they have been “born again,” as he explained to Nicodemus in his sermon.

Those lines are still often used today — just look at the swarms of John 3:16 placards that can be found at sporting events — but the man to whom they are addressed, Nicodemus, remains a bit of a mystery.
Nicodemus is revered as a saint in both the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic faiths.
Others Christians, on the other hand, describe him as a coward who has kept his religion hidden.
In the Gospel of John, he is only referenced a total of three times.
Later, Nicodemus informs the Pharisees that, according to Jewish law, Jesus should be given an opportunity to be heard before he is executed.
The History channel’s “The Bible” miniseries, which concludes on Easter Sunday (March 31), gives Nicodemus a more prominent role, portraying him as Jesus’ most formidable adversary among the Jerusalem Pharisees.

Until the arrival of Nicodemus, the majority of Jesus’ disciples had been “ordinary people,” according to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in his book “Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week.” The former pope says that Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were “two highly recognized representatives of Israel’s educated class who had not yet ventured to confess their discipleship” to Jesus.

In the words of Buchanan, “I felt it would be interesting to examine a possible route for this individual.” “What was it that drew him to Jesus that night to ask honest questions?” says the narrator.

Nicodemus feels compelled to seek out Jesus, who was gaining popularity for his miraculous healings at the time.

‘Because of his education, the way he thinks, and the way he seeks a clear-cut response from Jesus,’ Buchanan said, “he’s a figure that modern Christians can identify to.” Nicodemus was perplexed by Jesus’ mysterious statement, which said that individuals must be “born again.” This remark continues to perplex Christians today.

Despite the fact that Nicodemus is not on the minds of many current evangelicals, they are extremely concerned with his discussion with Jesus in the Gospel of John, according to Timothy Larsen, a professor of Christian philosophy at Wheaton College in Illinois.
“Evangelicals have historically given a great deal of thought to when this happened,” Larsen said of the experience of being born again.
Scholar Rosamond Rodman contends that the freed slaves who migrated to Nicodemus, Kansas, after the Civil War wanted rebirth as well, a goal that predates the arrival of Colson.
Rodman, on the other hand, contends that the town’s founders had good grounds to commemorate the biblical character.

According to Rodman, “Nicodemus comes to Jesus in the same way that African-Americans came to the Bible: at night and in secret, rightly fearful of the repercussions.” According to Benedict and other Christians, however, the tale of Nicodemus does not conclude in darkness, but rather in light.

In his letter, Benedict says, “The amount of the balm is remarkable and well exceeds any typical proportions.” “This is a funeral fit for a king.” Copyright: If you have any questions about copyright, you should contact the item’s distributor, Religion News Service LLC.

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Nicodemus – Wikipedia

SaintNicodemus
Nicodemus helping to take down Jesus’ body from the cross (The Deposition, byMichelangelo)
Defender of Christ
Born	Galilee
Died	Judea
Venerated in	The Catholic ChurchEastern Orthodox ChurchOriental Orthodox ChurchAnglican ChurchLutheran Church
Canonized	Pre-Congregation
Feast	2 August (Eastern Orthodox ChurchByzantine-rite Catholic Churches) 3 August (Roman-rite Catholic Church)Third Sunday ofPascha(Eastern Orthodox ChurchByzantine-rite Catholic Churches) 31 August (Roman-rite Catholic Church)
Attributes	Pharisee
Patronage	Curiosity

Nicodemus (; Greek: o, translit.Nikódmos) was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, and he is named in the Gospel of John in three different places:

He initially comes to Jesus in the middle of the night to discuss Jesus’ teachings (John 3:1–21)
Then he meets Jesus again the next day to discuss Jesus’ teachings (John 3:1–21). It is the second time that Nicodemus is said that he tells his fellow members of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish court system) that the law demands that a person be heard before being condemned (John 7:50–51)
The final character to appear is Nicodemus, who arrives after theCrucificationof Jesus to bring the traditional embalming spices and to assistJoseph of Arimathea in preparing the corpse of Jesus for burial (John 19:39–42).

It is believed that an apocryphal work bearing his name—theGospel of Nicodemus—was written in the mid-4th century, and it is mostly a reworking of the earlierActs of Pilate, which describes theHarrowing of Hell. Ochser and Kohler (in an article in The Jewish Encyclopedia) and other historians have argued that Nicodemus may be the same person asNicodemus ben Gurion, who is recorded in the Talmud as a wealthy and popular holy man claimed to have had magical powers. Those who disagree with this interpretation point out that the biblical Nicodemus was probably an older man at the time of his encounter with Jesus, whereas Nicodemus ben Gurion arrived on the scene 40 years later, during the Jewish War.

In John’s Gospel

Nicodemus, like Lazarus, does not belong to the tradition of the Synoptic Gospels and is only addressed by John, who devotes more than half of Chapter 3of his gospel and a few lines of Chapter 7to Nicodemus, and who references him for the final time inChapter 19. It is revealed that Nicodemus is a Pharisee who comes to visit Jesus in the middle of the night the first time he is mentioned. According to the scriptures, Jesus traveled to Jerusalem to participate in the Passover festival. The moneychangers from the temple were ejected and their tables were thrown to the ground during his visit to Jerusalem.

Because no one could achieve the miracles you are performing unless God was present with them.” (See also John 3:2).

Then there’s a dialogue with Nicodemus about what it means to be “born again” or “born from above” (Greek: v) and what it means in practical terms: In his discussion with Nicodemus, the idea of being actually born again from one’s mother’s womb is explored; nonetheless, most theologians agree that Nicodemus understood Jesus was not speaking about literal rebirth.

‘You cannot mean that a guy is going to be born for the second time after entering his mother’s womb the first time.
In response to the “ateacher of Israel,” Jesus expresses amazement, possibly sarcastically, that he does not comprehend the notion of spiritual rebirth: 3:10–11 (John 3:10-11.) Is it possible that you are a master of Israel and are unaware of these things?
KJV Nicodemus is described by James F.
In Chapter 7, Nicodemus counsels his colleagues, who are referred to as “the chief priests and the Pharisees,” to listen carefully and thoroughly before reaching a judgment on Jesus.
Nonetheless, it seems likely that he had some kind of influence on the Sanhedrin during his time there.

Nicodemus must have been a wealthy man, according to Pope Benedict XVI, who writes in his bookJesus of Nazareth: Holy Week that “the quantity of thebalm is enormous and transcends all natural proportions, indicating that this is a royal funeral.”

Veneration and liturgical commemoration

Nicodemus is revered as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Churches as well as the Catholic Church. Several churches, including the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine-rite Catholic churches, commemorate Nicodemus on theSunday of the Myrrhbearers, which is celebrated on theThird Sunday of Pascha (i.e., the second Sunday after Easter), as well as 2 August, the date on which it is believed that his relics, as well as those of Stephen the Protomartyr and Gamaliel, were discovered. The feast of the discovery of their remains is commemorated on the next day, August 3, according to the traditional Roman-rite Catholic liturgical calendar.

In Ramla, the Franciscan Order built a church dedicated to Saints Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea under the patronage of the saints.

Legacy

Nicodemus appears significantly in medieval images of the Deposition, in which he and Joseph of Arimathea are seen taking the dead Christ from the cross, typically with the assistance of a ladder, and burying him in the tomb. Like Joseph, Nicodemus became the subject of several religious traditions during the Middle Ages, notably in association with massive crosses, which he shared with Joseph. His carvings of theHoly Face of Lucca and theBatlló Crucifix were said to have been aided by angels, with the face in particular receiving divine help, and therefore becoming examples ofacheiropoieta (angelic assistance).

In poetry

The presence of Nicodemus in Henry Vaughan’s poem “The Night” is essential because it helps to develop the poem’s description of the night’s connection with God.

In music

In the Lutheran prescribed readings of the 18th century, the gospel passage of Jesus’ meeting with Nicodemus in the middle of the night was allocated to the Sunday before Trinity. Johann Sebastian Bach produced many cantatas for the event, the most notable of which being O heilges Geist- und Wasserbad, BWV 165, composed in 1715 and based on a libretto by the court poet in Weimar, Salomo Franck, and remaining faithful to the gospel. In 1937, Ernst Pepping produced an Evangelienmotette (moteton gospel text) for the characters Jesus and Nikodemus.

Tim Curry recorded a cover version of the song for his debut album, Read My Lips, in 1978.

A very casual version of the connection between Nicodemus and Jesus may be found in the song “Help Yourself” by The Devil Makes Three, which is available on iTunes. Nicodemus is mentioned in the second stanza of the song “Help yourself,” which was performed by The Devil Makes Three (band).

In literature

In Persuaded: The Story of Nicodemus, author David Harder tells the story of Nicodemus, a real fictitious character from Greek history. With the goal of maintaining historical and scriptural accuracy, Harder based his novel on events and timetables found in the pages of the Passion Translationversion of the Bible. He also brought biblical characters to life in a realistic story with the goal of keeping his book historically and scripturally accurate.

During the Protestant vs. Catholic struggle

A person adhering to a Church other than the one that was prominent in a region during the fight between Protestants and Catholics in Europe from the 16th century to the 18th century ran the risk of harsh punishment – and in many cases, the chance of losing their lives. As a result of this development, the word ” Nicodemite ” came to be used, which is often a derogatory term to refer to someone who is accused of publicly misrepresenting their genuine religious views by showing deceptive appearances and concealing true convictions.

United States

In particular, the descriptive term ” born again “, which is used to describe salvation or baptism by certain organizations, and John 3:16, which is frequently referenced to characterize God’s plan of salvation, may be traced back to Jesus’ conversation with him. He was a figure of rebirth for African-Americans after the Civil War, writes Daniel Burke, as they strove to shed their former status as slaves. Rosamond Rodman claims that liberated slaves who relocated to Nicodemus, Kansas, following the Civil War gave their town the name “Nicodemus” in honor of the former slave owner.

evoked the biblical figure of Nicodemus as a metaphor for the need for the United States to be “reborn” in order to successfully confront social and economic inequalities.

Gallery

Nicodemus as depicted in art
Jesus and Nicodemus by Crijn Hendricksz, 1616–1645
Cima da Conegliano, Nicodemus with Christ’s body, Apostle John on the right and Mary to the left
Tanner – Nicodemus coming to Christ II
Cima da Conegliano, Nico

References

Cornel Heinsdorff: Christus, Nikodemus, and the Samaritanerin in the city of Juvencus. Cornel Heinsdorff: With an Annotation on the Lateinische Evangelienvorlage (= Untersuchungen zur antiken Literatur und Geschichte, Bd.67), Berlin/New York 2003
With an Annotation on the Lateinische Evangelienvorlage (= Untersuchungen zur antiken Literatur und Geschichte, Bd.67), Berlin/New York 2003

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related toNicodemus.

Nicodemus is mentioned in the Jewish Encyclopedia and Butler’s Lives of the Saints as “St. Nicodemus.”

In the Book of John, Did Nicodemus Accept Jesus?

Details Joseph Cameneti wrote the article. The third chapter of the Gospel of John has a scene in which Jesus bears witness to Nicodemus. Is it possible to tell from the Bible if Nicodemus accepted Jesus as his Savior by placing his faith in Him? Now there was a guy named Nicodemus who belonged to the Pharisees and was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He approached Jesus in the middle of the night and said, “Rabbi, we recognize you as a teacher who has come from God.” If God were not present, no one could accomplish the miraculous signs that you are currently performing.” Immediately following, Jesus proclaimed that “no one can see the kingdom of God until he has been born again.” (John 3:3, NRSV) “How is it possible for a guy to be born when he is old?” Nicodemus inquired.

“Surely he cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born!” says the author.
(See also John 3:1-5,16) Following Jesus’ contact with Nicodemus, we find Nicodemus arguing with the Pharisees on Jesus’ behalf in the seventh chapter of the Gospel of John, which takes place after this encounter.
Later on, Joseph of Arimathea approached Pilate and requested the corpse of Jesus be returned to him.
He arrived and removed the body from the scene with Pilate’s consent.
Nicodemus arrived with a combination of myrrh and aloes weighing around seventy-five pounds.

(See also John 19:38-39) In light of Nicodemus’ identification with Jesus following his crucifixion, I believe he had believed and had been born again. The Bible Answers Foundation retains ownership of all intellectual property rights. Permission has been granted to use.

Nicodemus: Was he born again? — Evergreen Valley Church

Tim Wood is the author of this piece. In John 3, Jesus and Nicodemus have the discussion that will be remembered for a long time. Jesus explains to Nicodemus that the only way to perceive and enter the kingdom of God is through the process of rebirth. There is nothing in John 3 that suggests that Nicodemus became a Christian on that particular day. Consequently, the most important issue is: Did Nicodemus become a disciple of Christ? And the answer to that question is, indeed, affirmative. The evidence is found in John 19:38-42.

As a result, he arrived and removed his body.
They removed the corpse of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths and spices, as was the Jewish tradition at the time of Jesus’ death.
42So, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and because the tomb was close by, they put Jesus there.” Joseph and Nicodemus do two acts that indicate that they had been resurrected.
That is an extraordinary act of bravery and daring on the part of the speaker.
They are well aware of the hazard.
This is quite likely the most manly thing that Joseph and Nicodemus have ever done in their lives.
They remove the bloodied and battered body and anoint it before wrapping it in preparation for interment.

Seventy-five pounds, to be exact.

The act of anointing a body and preparing it for burial was traditionally thought to be a woman’s responsibility.

Why?

Joseph and Nicodemus, on the other hand, have been through something that makes them not feel humiliated about doing this.

However, they are no longer concerned with their social standing or station.

They have a deep affection for the One who died on the cross for them.

In comparison to any other time in their lives, they are considerably more brave and far more modest, far more confident and far more delicate and personal.

They’ve been reborn in a sense.

You have confidence because you have realized that you are more loved by God than you could have ever imagined.

Our Lord’s suffering on the cross demonstrates to us how much God loves us while also emphasizing how dreadful sin is. Religion will never be able to do this. Nicodemus can provide you with further information.

Meet Nicodemus: A Pharisee Who Placed Jesus’ Body in the Tomb

For Nicodemus, as well as for many other searchers, there was a profound conviction that there was something more to life, a tremendous truth waiting to be uncovered. His visit to Jesus Christ was conducted in secret by a senior member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish top court, because he feared the young instructor may be the Messiah promised to Israel by God.

Nicodemus

Nicodemus was a major Pharisee and a well-recognized religious leader of the Jewish people, and he was known for the following: Furthermore, he was a member of the Sanhedrin, which was ancient Israel’s ultimate court. References to the Bible: John 3:1-21, John 7:50-52, and John 19:38-42 are the three episodes in the Bible that tell the tale of Nicodemus and his friendship with Jesus, respectively. Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin is what he is known for. Nicodemus possessed a sage and inquisitive intellect, which served him well. He was dissatisfied with the Pharisees’ strict adherence to the law. His intense desire for truth, along with the bravery to seek out the truth at its source, made him a hero. As soon as Nicodemus realized he was dealing with the Messiah, he was prepared to defy the Sanhedrin and the Pharisees and bury Jesus with honor. Weaknesses: At first, Nicodemus was deterred from pursuing Jesus in the open because he was afraid of what others might say.

What Does the Bible Tell Us About Nicodemus?

Nicodemus has his first appearance in the Bible in John 3, when he goes in search of Jesus at night. That nightfall, Nicodemus learnt from Jesus that he would have to be reborn, which he duly did. The Chief Priests and Pharisees then sought to have Jesus imprisoned for fraud roughly six months before the Crucifixion. Nicodemus raised his voice in protest, imploring the congregation to give Jesus a fair hearing. Nicodemus is the final person to appear in the Bible after Jesus’ death. Nicodemus, in collaboration with his friend and fellow Sanhedrin member, Joseph of Arimathea, carefully cared for the corpse of the crucified Savior, entrusting the body’s remains to Joseph’s tomb after the crucifixion.

Jesus and Nicodemus

Nicodemus is identified by Jesus as a famous Pharisee who also serves as a leader of the Jewish people. He was also a member of the Sanhedrin, Israel’s supreme court, where he served until his death. Nicodemus, whose name literally translates as “bloodless,” stood up for Jesus when the Pharisees plotted to kill him: Nicademus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own, inquired, “Does our law condemn a guy without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?” Nicodemus was a member of their own group.

When he first learned of Jesus’ ministry, he became upset and perplexed by the words the Lord was preaching to the people.
As a result, he mustered tremendous bravery to seek out Jesus and to ask questions of him.
Nicodemus assisted Joseph of Arimathea in removing Jesus’ body from the crucifixion and burying it in a tomb, putting his own safety and reputation at stake in the process.
These efforts called into question the legalism and hypocrisy of the Sanhedrin and Pharisees.
This amount of spice was sufficient to properly bury royalty, demonstrating to Nicodemus that Jesus was indeed the King of the Jewish people.

Life Lessons From Nicodemus

Nicodemus was not going to rest until he discovered the truth. He wished desperately to comprehend, and he had a sneaking suspicion that Jesus had the solution. Nicodemus went to Jesus’ house at night so that no one would see him when he first arrived. He was concerned about what may happen if he talked to Jesus in broad daylight, when people would overhear him and denounce him to the authorities. When Nicodemus came across Jesus, the Lord realized the urgency of his situation. Nicodemus, a bereaved and befuddled guy, was catered to by Jesus, the Living Word, with much compassion and respect, as did the entire congregation.

Following his conversion to Christianity, Nicodemus’ life was irrevocably altered.

Jesus is the fount of all truth and the source of all purpose in life.

Whenever we are reborn, like Nicodemus was, we must never lose sight of the fact that we have received forgiveness for our sins and eternal life as a result of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. Nicodemus is a role model for all Christians, serving as a symbol of faith and courage.

Key Bible Verses

“Very honestly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they have been born again,” Jesus said. (John 3:3, New International Version)
“How is it possible for someone to be born when they are old?” Nicodemus inquired. “Surely they are unable to enter their mother’s womb for a second time in order to birth!” (John 3:4, New International Version)
In fact, God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that whomever believes in him would not perish but will have eternal life (John 3:16). In fact, God did not bring his Son into the world in order to condemn the world, but rather in order to rescue it through him. (John 3:16-17, New International Version)

Who was Nicodemus in the Bible?

Answer The only place in the Bible where we can find out anything about Nicodemus is in the Gospel of John. His status as a Pharisee is described in John 3:1. The Phariseeswere a group of Jews who were zealous in their adherence to the letter of the Law and who frequently stood in the way of Jesus throughout His ministry. They were frequently chastised by Jesus for their strict adherence to the law (see Matthew 23). In addition to being a Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus (who later became the apostle Paul) was also a Christian (Philippians 3:5).

John 7:50–51 states that Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the ruling body of the Jews at the time of Jesus’ death.
In the time of Christ, the Jewish people were granted a measure of self-rule under Roman authority, and the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem served as the final court of appeals for matters pertaining to Jewish law and religion.
It appears that Nicodemus was a member of the Great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem at the time of his death.
Many have speculated that Nicodemus was afraid or embarrassed to visit Jesus in the open air, so he chose to pay him a visit at night instead.
There are a variety of other possibilities as well.
The investigation of any teachers or other public figures who might be leading the Jewish people astray would have been his responsibility as a member of their ruling council.
When Nicodemus expresses skepticism, Jesus reprimands him (perhaps gently), reminding him that, as a leader of the Jews, he should already be aware of the situation (John 3:10).

We meet Nicodemus again in the Bible, this time in his official capacity as a member of the Sanhedrin, who is debating what to do about Jesus at the time of his death.

However, Nicodemus argues that Jesus should not be dismissed or condemned until the Pharisees in authority have heard from Him personally: “Does our law condemn a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” Nicodemus argues.

The last time Nicodemus is mentioned in the Bible is in John 19, shortly after Jesus’ crucifixion.

Joseph is described in John as a rich man and in Mark 15:43 as a member of the Council.

Joseph asked Pilate for the body of Jesus.

The sheer amount of burial spices would seem to indicate that Nicodemus was a rich man and that he had great respect for Jesus.

Was he a true believer?

The Bible is silent on these questions, and there are no reliable extra-biblical resources that give answers.

Perhaps Nicodemus’s final recorded act was his declaration of faith—although we are not told how public it was. His presentation in the Gospel of John is generally favorable, which suggests that his faith was indeed genuine.

The Story of Nicodemus

The narrative of Nicodemus appears in three different places in the Bible, all of which are found in the book of John. After viewing the television series “The Chosen,” which is based on the story of Jesus, I developed a new respect for Nicodemus. He is the one character whose narrative brings tears to my eyes every time I see it, and I love him for it! God has provided us with enough knowledge to construct a fascinating picture despite the fact that we don’t know everything for certain. So, who was Nicodemus, exactly?

Who was Nicodemus?

Nicodemus belonged to the prestigious Pharisees sect of Judaism and was a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the highest Jewish court at the time. Nicodemus held a significant position as ruler of the Pharisees, which was a position of immense authority. He was a wealthy businessman with much power and influence. The Pharisees made a pact with God that they would follow all customs and rules to the letter of the law. The fact that they believed they were the only ones capable of interpreting God’s message, however, caused them to become arrogant.

There was a guy named Nicodemus who belonged to the Pharisees and was a member of the Jewish ruling council.

If God were not present, no one could accomplish the miraculous signs that you are currently performing.” NIV translation of John 3:1-2.

Why Did Nicodemus Approach Jesus at Night?

Although Scripture does not provide an explanation, various hypotheses have been advanced: He was an inquiring, curious seeker who was intrigued by Jesus’ teachings and his capacity to perform miracles, or was he anything more? Was he frightened to come in the daylight for fear of being mistaken for Jesus and his disciples? Visiting Jesus out of his own free choice may have resulted in his losing his position, fortune and social standing. The Jews’ ferocious hostility to Jesus was already increasing on a daily basis.

The Sanhedrin dispatched a delegation to examine the activities of John the Baptist (John 1:19-20).

Is it possible that Nicodemus had a thirst to discover whether or not Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah?

Nicodemus and Jesus

“I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again,” Jesus says in response to Nicodemus’ comment, cutting directly to the core of the problem. v3 of the NIV. (In Greek, the phrase “born again” means “born from above.”) Nicodemus takes Jesus’ words seriously and doubts whether or not a bodily rebirth is indeed possible. He felt that because he was a Jew, he had been born into God’s kingdom right from the beginning. His mind couldn’t comprehend the idea that there was an alternate path to paradise.

“How is this possible?” he wonders (v9).

Nicodemus should have been aware of God’s promise of spiritual regeneration in Ezekiel 36:26-27: “I will put my Spirit in you,” which means “I will put my Spirit in you.” Jesus, on the other hand, is persistent with Nicodemus.

Jesus Teaches Nicodemus

Nicodemus is reminded of the story of Moses and the Bronze Serpent from the Old Testament by Jesus (Numbers 21:4-8). As Moses hoisted up the serpent in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up in order for anyone who believes in him to have eternal life. v14-15. Those who looked at the bronze snake and believed would not perish, but would instead live, when the serpent was raised on a pole. This narrative serves as a foreshadowing of the crucifixion. During Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, He explained that He would be hoisted up (on the cross) like the bronze serpent in order to free the people from eternal death.

Although this looks to be the conclusion of the discourse between Jesus and Nicodemus, we see Nicodemus resurface twice more.

Nicodemus the Pharisee

It is now approximately 6 months till the conclusion of Jesus’ earthly career. Since their initial night-time contact, it is quite likely that Nicodemus was aware of what Jesus had been up to since that time. He was most likely aware of Jesus’ ongoing healing and teaching activities. Nicodemus addresses a group of Pharisees in John 7:50-51, and we can see him speaking to them. The Pharisees, on the other hand, were getting angry and frustrated with Jesus, and they devised a scheme to illegally seize Him from the temple guards.

When it came to his confidence in Jesus, Nicodemus did not make a straightforward proclamation.

He may have protected Jesus by raising a genuine legal argument, but he could not have altered the Pharisees’ views by declaring Jesus to be the Son of God at this moment.

Nicodemus had transformed himself from a seeker and skeptic to a protector.

Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea

After Jesus’ crucifixion, we’ll take one more look at Nicodemus’ life and ministry. The body of Jesus was later requested by Joseph of Arimathea, who went to Pilate to get it. Because of his dread of the Jews, Joseph continued to follow Jesus in secret for a while. He arrived and removed the body from the scene with Pilate’s consent. He was joined by Nicodemus, the man who had previously visited Jesus in the middle of the night. Nicodemus arrived with a combination of myrrh and aloes weighing around seventy-five pounds.

Joseph, like Nicodemus, was a member of the Sanhedrin (Jewish judicial body).
They turned their backs on Jesus out of fear and uncertainty.
(The quantity of funeral spices Nicodemus offered was prohibitively expensive.
Nicodemus’ collaboration with Joseph in the burying of Jesus demonstrates his love and dedication to the Lord Jesus.

His faith had now developed to the point that he could bravely go out with Joseph and offer Jesus a private burial, as recorded in the Gospel of John. Their acts demonstrated that they were prepared to sacrifice everything in order to care for Jesus.

What Happened to Nicodemus?

The tale of Nicodemus in the Bible comes to a close with Jesus’ burial. According to my Bible interpretation, neither guy is mentioned in Jewish records or traditions from their time, likely because they were considered traitors, and their names were deleted from all records as a result. ¹ The Bible does not tell us what happened to them. Our answers will be revealed in the hereafter. But, until then, I believe Nicodemus was a sincere seeker who developed to the point of defending Jesus in court and then courageously proclaiming his faith via his deeds and words.

What did Nicodemus Learn from Jesus?

Nicodemus was known as the “teacher of teachers” in the beginning, yet he did not comprehend what it meant to be born of the Spirit. Nicodemus, on the other hand, sought Jesus out in order to receive answers to his sincere questions. He discovered that being “religious” and understanding the Scriptures did not guarantee him entry into the kingdom of heaven. Each of us must look into the person of Jesus for ourselves and choose whether or not we think that He is who He claims to be—our Savior and Redeemer.

Nicodemus is frequently referred to be a “undercover” believer in the New Testament.
However, Jesus was patient with Nicodemus, and he continues to be patient with you and me today.
What are some of the ways your religion manifests itself in actions?
After coming out in public and assisting Joseph in Jesus’ burial, Nicodemus gave his life to Him and prayed for Him.
All of this occurred prior to the resurrection!
Do you advocate for Jesus in front of nonbelievers?

Lessons From Nicodemus

We all have a little bit of the Pharisee in us from time to time, but the Holy Spirit lives inside us to convict us, bring us to repentance, and effect true transformation in our hearts and lives. Nicodemus achieved tangible goods by concealing his interest in and faith in Jesus: he was able to maintain his prestige, power, fortune, and position. His lack of knowledge of Jesus’ deep teachings, a life lived with Him on the earth, and the presence of Jesus’ peace and pleasure in his existence, however, is astounding.

However, he was granted perpetual life!
When we allow Jesus to come into our life, He becomes our top focus, our source of satisfaction, and our source of tranquility.
As devoted followers, we recognize that He is much more valuable than anything or anybody else in the world.
If we are rejected by others because of our religion, it is because they are rejecting Him, not because we are rejecting them.
Do you think your spiritual change compares to that of Nicodemus?” As the saying goes, “When you seek me with all your heart, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:13 (New International Version).

(Wow, such a lovely promise! ) “Blessed are all those who seek shelter in Him,” the Bible says. Psalm 2:12b (New International Version). Blessings! AnnMarie

Barker, Kenneth L., and Kohlenberger III, John R., eds., Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary, Volume 2: New Testament. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Grand Rapids Press, 1994.

Here’s the account of another Pharisee who had a chance encounter with Jesus: the Apostle Paul, according to the Bible. Related Post