John 3:2

Came to Jesus. This visit took place on the Mount of Olives (DA 168; cf. pp. 685, 686), probably not long after the First Cleansing of the Temple, recorded in ch. 2:13-17. Nicodemus had witnessed that dramatic incident (see DA 168), and had no doubt heard Jesus and witnessed some of His miracles (ch. 2:23). He certainly shared with other Jews the hope for a political Messiah who would free the nation from the shackles of Rome (see on Luke 4:19), and must have been perplexed as Jesus explained the spiritual nature of His kingdom. Nicodemus was cautious by nature, and did not openly declare himself a follower of the humble Nazarene until after the crucifixion (John 19:39; cf. DA 177). The seed planted upon this occasion fell on fertile ground, eventually to bring forth a bountiful harvest.

By night. Aware of the attitude of the leaders generally toward Jesus, Nicodemus considered it wise not to compromise his reputation or position by letting it be known that he took Jesus seriously enough to seek a personal interview with Him. This precaution lent weight to Nicodemus’ efforts to divert the leaders from their purpose to arrest Jesus.

Rabbi. See on ch. 1:38.

We know. Nicodemus was satisfied with the evidence of divine approval apparent in Jesus’ words and works. The other leaders enjoyed equal opportunity to observe and consider the nature of Jesus’ credentials (see ch. 2:18-20), and no doubt knew as well as Nicodemus the conclusion to which the evidence pointed, but pride and perversity of heart prevented them from acknowledging its validity as Nicodemus did. He was one of the “many” of ch. 2:23 who “believed.”

A teacher. Greek didaskalos (see on ch. 1:38), a title of respect. Nicodemus was himself a “master [didaskalos] of Israel” (ch. 3:10), yet was willing to accept Jesus — who had no formal education and no official permission to teach — as his equal. The only explanation of this visit is that he sensed in his own heart the fact that Jesus was more than simply a teacher. At first, however, pride kept him from revealing his inmost thought, that Jesus might be the Messiah. But when his reaction is contrasted with that of the other leaders of the nation, the extent to which his ardent desire for truth overcame pride is surprising.

From God. These words are in the emphatic position in Greek. By them Nicodemus acknowledged that the miracles of Jesus constituted credentials of more than human authority.

No man. The miracles (see ch. 2:23) constituted evidence of divine power that could not be gainsaid. Upon later occasions Jesus directed the attention of the Jewish leaders to the significance of His miracles as attesting His divine mission (see chs. 5:36; 10:38; cf. DA 406; Vol. 5, p.209).

That thou doest. The personal pronoun “thou” is emphatic. The miracles of Jesus differed from those of other men; they gave evidence of being genuine.

Except God be with him. The miracles attested to divine approval and recognition. Nicodemus followed the evidence through to its logical conclusion.