Nicodemus

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a member of the Jewish ruling council (the Sanhedrin), and a recognized teacher of Israel. He held a position of religious authority and social prestige in Jerusalem, yet he recognized that Jesus possessed something he lacked. Despite the growing hostility between Jesus and the religious leaders, Nicodemus sought Jesus out, though he came by night—perhaps to avoid being seen or to have an uninterrupted conversation.

Nicodemus began respectfully, acknowledging that Jesus was a teacher from God because no one could perform the signs Jesus did unless God was with him. But Jesus immediately challenged him: 'Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.' This statement confused Nicodemus, who asked how someone could be born when old. Could they enter their mother's womb a second time?

Jesus explained that He was speaking of spiritual birth—being born of water and the Spirit. Physical birth produces physical life, but spiritual birth produces spiritual life. The wind blows where it pleases, and though you can't see it, you hear its sound. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. Nicodemus, despite being Israel's teacher, struggled to understand these things.

Jesus gently rebuked Nicodemus: if he couldn't believe earthly things Jesus spoke of, how could he believe if Jesus spoke of heavenly things? Then Jesus spoke words that would become the most famous verse in Scripture: '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.' God sent His Son not to condemn the world but to save it. Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness because their deeds were evil.

This nighttime conversation seems to have planted seeds that grew slowly in Nicodemus's heart. Later, when the Sanhedrin was discussing how to deal with Jesus, Nicodemus spoke up, asking, 'Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?' His colleagues mocked him, asking if he was from Galilee too. Nicodemus's defense of Jesus was cautious and based on legal procedure rather than personal faith, but it showed he was willing to risk reputation to ensure Jesus received fair treatment.

Nicodemus's full transformation became evident after Jesus' crucifixion. While the disciples hid in fear, Nicodemus came forward boldly. He brought about seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes—an extraordinarily expensive and generous amount—and helped Joseph of Arimathea prepare Jesus' body for burial. This public act of devotion would have identified Nicodemus as a follower of Jesus, likely costing him his position and reputation among the religious elite.

The contrast is striking: Nicodemus first came to Jesus secretly by night, but he honored Jesus publicly in death, when doing so was most costly and least politically advantageous. The teacher who came confused about new birth had himself been born again, moving from darkness into light.

Church tradition suggests Nicodemus was baptized by Peter and John, became a follower of Jesus, and was eventually removed from the Sanhedrin and persecuted for his faith. Though Scripture doesn't explicitly confirm his conversion, his progression from curious nighttime visitor to cautious defender to bold public disciple strongly suggests that the new birth Jesus spoke of became reality in Nicodemus's life. His journey encourages all who seek truth, struggle with doubt, and fear the cost of following Jesus—God honors genuine seeking and can transform even those deeply embedded in religious systems that oppose Him.