John 3:1 Commentary and Bible Study

Nicodemus is a Greek name, but he was not a Greek; he was a Jewish leader, ‘a ruler of the Jews’, a Pharisee and a member no doubt of the Sanhedrin council of 70, who led the Jewish people under the oversight of the Roman governor. There were many Pharisees at that time. They were not the majority party in the Sanhedrin council, but they were highly influential. It was a sect, if we may call it that, among leading Jews and wealthy Jews particularly, that started about the second century BC. They were people who were very hostile to the Greek influences coming in among the Jews and were sticklers for the old ways. There was much about them that was commendable, but they went too far in putting all their emphasis on the ceremonial law and the exact, precise, maintaining of all the ancient ritual. That was important. But they saw in it a means of acceptance with God.In their views, all Jews were accepted by God. It was their privilege. But to be well accepted and to be highly rewarded by God, involved good works, which meant the meticulous keeping of the ceremonial law. There had also evolved many additions to the law of Moses, especially concerning the keeping of the Sabbath day. The most exacting human rules had been added to those of the law, and in the keeping of these you had merit with God and an even higher reward. Moral values were almost secondary.Here then was a proud, self-righteous Pharisee, and yet Nicodemus seems to have been a little different from many. He was not as instantly antagonistic to the Lord as the others. Perhaps he was not alone in this. There may have been a group of Pharisees among the rulers of the Jews who thought, this miracle working man, this new preacher, he is a danger to us. He is a threat to us, and to our rule and to our position. But nevertheless, God must be with him, for he works great miracles. Can we not work with him? Are we not being a little hasty in treating him in as an enemy?