The Book of John (Chapter 3)

I. Incarnation of Christ (v.1-18)

II. Initial Ministry of Christ

II(A). Proclamation of the Son by John the Baptist (1:19-34)

II(B). Calling of the First Disciples (1:35-51)

II(C). The First Miracle (2:1-11)

II(D). Zeal for God (2:13-22)

II (E). Gospel to Nicodemus (3:1-21)

Who was Nicodemus?

Pharisee

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Pharisees

Members of a Jewish party that exercised strict piety according to Mosaic law.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Introduction

The Pharisees developed a tradition of strict interpretation of the Mosaic law, developing an extensive set of oral extensions of the law designed to maintain religious identity and purity.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Introduction

The origin of the term “Pharisee” comes from the Aramaic word פרשׁ (prsh), which means “to separate,” “divide,” or “distinguish.”

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Introduction

The Pharisees kept themselves apart both socially and theologically from aristocratic sympathizers with Hellenism and the uneducated commoners.

Leader of Jews (Teacher of Israel)

John 3:10 ESV

Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?

Member of the Sanhedrin

The Sanhedrin was the ruling body of the Jews. Each city could have a Sanhedrin, which functioned as the “lower courts.” Under Roman authority in the time of Christ, the Jewish nation was allowed a measure of self-rule, and the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem was the final court of appeals for matters regarding Jewish law and religion. This was the body that ultimately condemned Jesus, yet they had to get Pilate to approve their sentence since the death penalty was beyond their jurisdiction under Roman law. It appears that Nicodemus was part of the Great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem.

Very Rich Man (John 19:39)

Why did Nicodemus come to Jesus & especially at night?

He called him Rabbi. He was curious about Jesus. Jesus had to have come from God because he did these signs.

Option 1)

Afraid or ashamed to visit Jesus in broad daylight

Option 2)

It was his responsibility to find out about any teachers or figures who might lead people astray

Option 3)

Wanted to get away from the crowds and speak to Jesus privately

What was Jesus’ message?

Show clip from “The Chosen”

A new kingdom is coming.

To enter, you must be Born Again (Literal translation- “born from above”)

To be born again, one must believe in Jesus who came to give us new and eternal life.

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 ESV

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 2:11–12 ESV

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Romans 10:9–10 ESV

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Titus 3:5 ESV

he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Why was this so hard for Nicodemus to grasp?

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Matthew 7:22–23 ESV

On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

1 John 5:11–13 ESV

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

Did Nicodemus ever believe?

John 7:50–53 ESV

Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.” They went each to his own house,

John 19:38–40 ESV

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.

Mark 15:43 ESV

Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.