There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
Now there was among the Pharisees a man named Nicodemus, who was one of the rulers of the Jews.
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews - One of the members of the grand Sanhedrin; for such were ordinarily styled rulers among the Jews. A person of the name of Nicodemus, the son of Gorion, is mentioned in the Jewish writings, who lived in the time of Vespasian, and was reputed to be so rich that he could support all the inhabitants of Jerusalem for ten years. But this is said in their usual extravagant mode of talking.
A man of the Pharisees - A Pharisee. See the notes at Matthew 3:7.
Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews - One of the "Sanhedrin," or great council of the nation. He is twice mentioned after this as being friendly to our Saviour; in the first instance as advocating his cause, and defending him against the unjust suspicion of the Jews John 7:50, and in the second instance as one who came to aid in embalming his body, John 19:39. It will be recollected that the design of John in writing this gospel was to show that Jesus was the Messiah. To do this he here adduces the testimony of one of the rulers of the Jews, who early became convinced of it, and who retained the belief of it until the death of Jesus.
3:1 A ruler - One of the great council.