Singapore Moses Supporter Messenger of God, CEO in IT industry, Astronaut, Scientist

Nicodemus was 
One of the Pharisees,
a ruler of the Jews,
A Jewish Rabbi, 
member of the Sanhedrin and 
one of the three richest men in Jerusalem. 

Note Nicodemus' three steps:
1. He came to Jesus (Jn. 3:1). 
2. He testified for Him (Jn. 7:50-51). 
3. He did service for Him (Jn. 19:39).


Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (Jn. 3:3; 1Jn. 2:29; 3:8; 5:1-14,18).

Nicodemus misunderstood Jesus and thought only in human terms. Millions today make the same mistake in comparing the new birth with the old birth. This is the very thing Jesus did not want men to do (Jn. 3:12). The truth is: one is a begetting and a coming into existence; the other is an adoption (Rom. 8:14-16 Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5).

July 29 2014 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

Great question, Joe!

Jesus explains the plan of salvation in John 3:1-21: A man named Nicodemus visits Jesus by night. We have Harold Wilmington to thank for his barebones outline:

A. The credentials of Nicodemus (John 3:1): He is both a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin and a Pharisee. (Conversation with Nicodemus)
John 3:1 “Now a certain man, a Pharisee named Nicodemus, who was a member of the Jewish ruling council,” Greek “a ruler of the Jews” (denoting a member of the Sanhedrin, the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews). 

The poet writes, 
“A man named Nicodemus to Jesus came one night.
He said, ‘We know You’ve come from God; Your wonders show His might.’
In answer, Jesus did declare, ‘Give heed, these words are true:
You cannot see God’s kingdom come unless you’re born anew.’” 

B. The confession of Nicodemus (John 3:2): He acknowledges that Jesus is from God because of his miracles. Those people in Jerusalem believed in Jesus because of the signs he had performed. Nicodemus had apparently seen them too. But for Nicodemus all the signs meant is that Jesus was a great teacher sent from God. His approach to Jesus was well-intentioned but theologically inadequate; he had failed to grasp the messianic implications of the miraculous signs. Bible.org

C. The command to Nicodemus (John 3:3): Jesus says he needs the new birth. 
Jesus replied, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

The word ἄνωθεν (anothen) has a double meaning, either “again” (in which case it is synonymous with παλίν [palin]) or “from above.” I hold to the view that Jesus meant born from above, i.e. with God’s help, not a second physical birth of being born again physically.

“Then Nicodemus questioned, ‘Reborn, how can this be?
For surely none can to the womb return and new life see.’
Jesus replied, ‘Flesh brings forth flesh, but like the blowing wind,
The Spirit does give birth to spirit; thus man is born again.’” 

-- A man named Nicodemus to Jesus came one night, Susan H. Peterson

February 22 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report