Nicodemus Visits Jesus
Study No. 6 – Chapter Three Verses 1 – 21
1. Jesus’ activity from the previous chapter raises questions.
Who are the Pharisees and why is it significant to know that Nicodemus was a member of this group?
Why did he come to Jesus at night time?
Why does Nicodemus come to Jesus at all? What might he have heard, and where might he have heard it?
What does Nicodemus’ approach (his method and content of his remark) indicate about his own self-image, his attitude and prior knowledge of Jesus?
The Pharisees were the conservative religious sect of the Jews. The other principal religious group were the Sadducees, a very liberal (non-conservative) group, holding only to the first five books of Moses, denying even the doctrine of the resurrection. Nicodemus would be of the group claiming to be the bible believers and teachers.
Nicodemus is also called, a “ruler of the Jews”. By this it is meant that he was also a member of the ruling party called the Sanhedrin Council. This counsel could contain Sadducee members as well. The counsel would no doubt have had several discussions as to who John the Baptist was. They had already sent out an investigative group to John. They would know that John’s main message had to do with getting ready to see the appearance of the Messiah. Because the counsel contained both conservative and liberal members we can assume their discussions may have become argumentative in nature.
Add to this the recent even recorded at the end of Chapter two, namely Jesus’ visit to the temple, his driving out the money changers and then his ministry of healing many persons. News of this would spread like wildfire. The Sanhedrin council not only would have knowledge of this, but some of them were likely present at the time. Nicodemus probably saw healings first hand. As a conservative bible teacher himself, all of this would leave him in a state of wonder and great curiosity. But the peer pressure of the rest of the group was such that Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night time.
2. Jesus makes a clear statement.
What is Nicodemus’ reaction to Jesus’ clear (blunt) statement, ‘You must be born again’? What seems to be his misunderstanding?
Since we were not there to hear his tone of voice, we do not know if he was being facetious or if there was a degree of sarcasm in it. At any rate he responds as if a physical rebirth was being implied by Jesus.
3. Jesus answers objections.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Jesus’ explanation is designed to answer Nicodemus’ question. Many people over the course of history have not found it a simple, clear answer.
There are five basic interpretations to this section of scripture in reference to water.
1. The water refers to natural childbirth.
2. The water refers to the Word of God.
3. The water refers to the Holy Spirit.
4. The water refers to the ministry of John the Baptist.
5. The water refers to the water of baptism as a requirement for salvation.
Which one of the above do you suppose Nicodemus understood to be the correct meaning? Note that Jesus does not explain what being born of water means. This is a clue that Nicodemus did not need to be told what it meant. He had just asked how a second physical birth could possibly occur. Jesus’ answer seems to be … To see the Kingdom of Heaven requires not only the natural birth, but requires also a spiritual birth.
He then goes on to emphasize the thought that these births are two completely different things.
John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”3
4. Jesus gives a complete explanation of the way of salvation. 3:7-21
(side note on v 7. Verse 5 made salvation a universal necessity. This verse makes it personal.)
a. The New birth, being spiritual, is invisible and yet has physical evidence v8.
b. Salvation is all of God, and Jesus, the one with whom Nicodemus is speaking, is Deity. That is, he is both here and in heaven at once v.13.
c. Coming to Jesus is as essential as looking at the serpent was in Moses time v14.
d. Jesus emphasizes belief. Five times it is mentioned in the next few verses.
e. God gave His only begotten Son. Gifts are not earned. But this gift is not optional. Without it we are condemned.
f. Light, both makes the way clear and condemns those who refuse it.
Side note- The fact that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night may have had some bearing on Jesus making the statement that men loved darkness rather than light.
Evangelism today.
1Pe 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Matthew 13:3-8 Remove the objections. Prepare the heart for planting.
1 Corinthians 3:5-7
1. Jesus’ activity from the previous chapter raises questions.
Who are the Pharisees and why is it significant to know that Nicodemus was a member of this group?
Why did he come to Jesus at night time?
Why does Nicodemus come to Jesus at all? What might he have heard, and where might he have heard it?
What does Nicodemus’ approach (his method and content of his remark) indicate about his own self-image, his attitude and prior knowledge of Jesus?
The Pharisees were the conservative religious sect of the Jews. The other principal religious group were the Sadducees, a very liberal (non-conservative) group, holding only to the first five books of Moses, denying even the doctrine of the resurrection. Nicodemus would be of the group claiming to be the bible believers and teachers.
Nicodemus is also called, a “ruler of the Jews”. By this it is meant that he was also a member of the ruling party called the Sanhedrin Council. This counsel could contain Sadducee members as well. The counsel would no doubt have had several discussions as to who John the Baptist was. They had already sent out an investigative group to John. They would know that John’s main message had to do with getting ready to see the appearance of the Messiah. Because the counsel contained both conservative and liberal members we can assume their discussions may have become argumentative in nature.
Add to this the recent even recorded at the end of Chapter two, namely Jesus’ visit to the temple, his driving out the money changers and then his ministry of healing many persons. News of this would spread like wildfire. The Sanhedrin council not only would have knowledge of this, but some of them were likely present at the time. Nicodemus probably saw healings first hand. As a conservative bible teacher himself, all of this would leave him in a state of wonder and great curiosity. But the peer pressure of the rest of the group was such that Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night time.
2. Jesus makes a clear statement.
What is Nicodemus’ reaction to Jesus’ clear (blunt) statement, ‘You must be born again’? What seems to be his misunderstanding?
Since we were not there to hear his tone of voice, we do not know if he was being facetious or if there was a degree of sarcasm in it. At any rate he responds as if a physical rebirth was being implied by Jesus.
3. Jesus answers objections.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Jesus’ explanation is designed to answer Nicodemus’ question. Many people over the course of history have not found it a simple, clear answer.
There are five basic interpretations to this section of scripture in reference to water.
1. The water refers to natural childbirth.
2. The water refers to the Word of God.
3. The water refers to the Holy Spirit.
4. The water refers to the ministry of John the Baptist.
5. The water refers to the water of baptism as a requirement for salvation.
Which one of the above do you suppose Nicodemus understood to be the correct meaning? Note that Jesus does not explain what being born of water means. This is a clue that Nicodemus did not need to be told what it meant. He had just asked how a second physical birth could possibly occur. Jesus’ answer seems to be … To see the Kingdom of Heaven requires not only the natural birth, but requires also a spiritual birth.
He then goes on to emphasize the thought that these births are two completely different things.
John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”3
4. Jesus gives a complete explanation of the way of salvation. 3:7-21
(side note on v 7. Verse 5 made salvation a universal necessity. This verse makes it personal.)
a. The New birth, being spiritual, is invisible and yet has physical evidence v8.
b. Salvation is all of God, and Jesus, the one with whom Nicodemus is speaking, is Deity. That is, he is both here and in heaven at once v.13.
c. Coming to Jesus is as essential as looking at the serpent was in Moses time v14.
d. Jesus emphasizes belief. Five times it is mentioned in the next few verses.
e. God gave His only begotten Son. Gifts are not earned. But this gift is not optional. Without it we are condemned.
f. Light, both makes the way clear and condemns those who refuse it.
Side note- The fact that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night may have had some bearing on Jesus making the statement that men loved darkness rather than light.
Evangelism today.
1Pe 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Matthew 13:3-8 Remove the objections. Prepare the heart for planting.
1 Corinthians 3:5-7