Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council who came to Jesus under the cover of night. His story, told in the Gospel of John, shows us a man torn between his religious position and his growing belief that Jesus was the promised Messiah.
A Night Visit with Jesus
Nicodemus first appears in John 3, where he visits Jesus secretly. This meeting is one of the most well-known encounters in Scripture.
John 3:1-2 (NIV): Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him."
Coming at night may have been Nicodemus’s way of avoiding public attention. Despite his fear, he showed respect for Jesus, calling Him “Rabbi” and recognizing His divine authority.
Jesus answered Nicodemus with one of the most powerful truths ever spoken:
John 3:3 (NIV): Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."
This statement puzzled Nicodemus. He asked how a grown man could be “born” again. Jesus explained that this new birth was spiritual, not physical — a birth through the Holy Spirit.
John 3:5-6 (NIV): Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."
Nicodemus and the Message of Salvation
Through this conversation, Jesus revealed the heart of the gospel. Salvation was not through religious acts or heritage, but through faith in the Son of God.
John 3:16 (NIV): 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.
Nicodemus’s questions represent the struggles many people face when confronted with faith. He was a man of knowledge, yet he needed spiritual rebirth. His conversation with Jesus remains a timeless lesson that eternal life comes through belief, not background or deeds.
Standing for Jesus in the Sanhedrin
Nicodemus appears again in John 7 when the religious leaders debate arresting Jesus. While others plotted against Him, Nicodemus courageously spoke up:
John 7:50-51 (NIV): Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, "Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?"
This quiet defense showed his growing faith. Though he didn’t openly declare himself a follower, Nicodemus risked reputation by challenging the council’s unfair judgment.
Nicodemus at the Cross
The final mention of Nicodemus comes after Jesus’ crucifixion. When most had fled, Nicodemus came forward to help bury Jesus.
John 19:39-40 (NIV): He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen.
Nicodemus’s actions now spoke louder than words. He openly honored Jesus in death, no longer hiding his devotion.
Lessons from Nicodemus
Nicodemus’s journey teaches us that faith often begins quietly but grows stronger over time. His transformation — from secret seeker to open follower — mirrors the process many believers experience.
| Lesson | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Spiritual rebirth | Being "born again" means letting God renew the heart through the Holy Spirit. |
| Faith over fear | Nicodemus started in secret but ended with public courage. |
| Growth takes time | His story shows that belief can grow through questions, searching, and obedience. |
Supporting Scriptures
Romans 10:9 (NIV): If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV): Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
John 1:12 (NIV): Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
Nicodemus reminds us that faith begins with honest seeking. Like him, we are invited to come to Jesus — even in the night — and find new life through the Spirit.
