In brief
Nicodemus is a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews, who comes to Jesus by night. Jesus speaks to him about the new birth and about God’s love for the world (John 3). Later, before his colleagues, Nicodemus points out that the law does not judge a man before hearing him (John 7). Finally, after the death of Jesus, he comes with about a hundred Roman pounds of myrrh and aloes to bury his body (John 19). We remember the path of a man who goes from night to light.
What does the name Nicodemus mean?
His name is of Greek origin and is generally linked to the idea of “conqueror of the people.” The Bible gives no explanation of it. The Gospel of John introduces him as “a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews” (John 3:1).
The story of Nicodemus
The night visit
John 3:1-2Nicodemus is a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews. He comes to Jesus by night and says 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.” He recognizes in Jesus a teacher sent by God, but he does not yet know everything.
The new birth
John 3:3-16Jesus answers him, “unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.” Nicodemus is astonished: “How can a man be born when he is old?” Jesus explains the work of the Spirit, then declares that God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
A word for justice
John 7:50-52When the leaders want to arrest Jesus, Nicodemus, “he who came to him by night,” speaks up: “Does our law judge a man, unless it first hears from him personally and knows what he does?” His colleagues answer with scorn, asking whether he too is from Galilee. He does not yet openly become a disciple, but he defends justice.
The burial of Jesus
John 19:38-42After the death of Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea asks Pilate for his body. Nicodemus, “who at first came to Jesus by night,” also comes, bringing about a hundred Roman pounds of myrrh and aloes. They bind the body in linen cloths with the spices, according to the Jewish custom, and lay it in a new tomb in a nearby garden.
What Nicodemus teaches us
- We can come to Jesus with our questions, even by night, and he answers with truth.
- The new birth is the work of God: it is obtained neither through religion nor through knowledge.
- Defending justice, even timidly, is a first step that can lead to more courage.
- Faith shows itself through actions, and Nicodemus illustrates this by his gesture after the death of Jesus.
Key verses
“Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.” Jesus does not offer an improvement, but a new birth.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” The answer of Jesus to Nicodemus is the heart of the gospel.
Nicodemus, “who at first came to Jesus by night,” comes with about a hundred Roman pounds of myrrh and aloes. He acts openly at the very moment when the disciples are hiding.
Sermons about Nicodemus
Frequently asked questions
Who was Nicodemus in the Bible?
Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews. He met Jesus by night, defended him before his colleagues, then brought spices to bury him. His story is told only in the Gospel of John.
Why did Nicodemus come to see Jesus by night?
The Bible does not give the reason for this choice. He may have wanted to remain discreet, but the text does not say so. What is certain is that Jesus answers him by speaking of the new birth and of God’s love (John 3).
Where can I find the story of Nicodemus in the Bible?
Nicodemus appears in three passages of the Gospel of John: in chapter 3 (his meeting with Jesus), in chapter 7, verses 50 to 52 (his defense of justice) and in chapter 19, verses 38 to 42 (the burial of Jesus).