Untitled Homily

John 3:1 RSVCE

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

Matthew 3:1 RSVCE

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

Here is a test note.

He comes before us raising a hesitant (and apparently ineffectual) voice on behalf of Jesus when he is being discussed by the authorities after an abortive attempt to arrest him during the Feast of Tabernacles (7:50–52). He is not recorded as saying anything at the trial of Jesus, but he helped Joseph of Arimathea at the burial (19:39). We may, I think, fairly infer that he had a love for the truth, but that he was rather a timid soul. In the end he came right out for Jesus, and that at a time when all the disciples forsook him. That is saying a lot for a timid man.11 Morris, Leon, The Gospel according to John (The New International Commentary on the New Testament; Grand Rapids, MI 1995) 186.