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Pharisee, member of the Sanhedrin

Nicodemus

nik-oh-DEE-mus

A prominent Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council who visited Jesus secretly at night for a conversation that produced the phrase 'born again,' later spoke up for Jesus's right to a fair hearing before the Sanhedrin, and helped bury his body.

Life and work

Nicodemus is introduced as 'a Pharisee... a member of the Jewish ruling council,' who came to Jesus at night — likely to avoid being seen associating with him — acknowledging that Jesus must be 'a teacher who has come from God' because of the signs he performed (John 3:1-2). Their conversation turns on Jesus's statement that no one can see the kingdom of God without being 'born again' (or 'born from above'), which Nicodemus initially takes literally and struggles to understand, prompting Jesus to explain being born 'of water and the Spirit' (John 3:3-8). The exchange ends with one of the Gospel's best-known lines, 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son...' (John 3:16).

Nicodemus resurfaces later in a tense meeting of the Pharisees and chief priests debating how to deal with Jesus. When his colleagues moved to condemn Jesus without a hearing, Nicodemus objected: 'Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he's doing?' — and was mocked in return, accused of being a Galilean sympathizer himself (John 7:50-52).

After the crucifixion, Nicodemus joined Joseph of Arimathea in claiming Jesus's body, bringing about seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes to prepare it for burial according to Jewish custom, and helping wrap and lay it in the tomb (John 19:39-40). It's a striking final appearance — a man first introduced coming to Jesus secretly by night now openly handling his burial in broad daylight.

Occupation
Pharisee, member of the Sanhedrin
Places
Jerusalem.

Extra-biblical evidence

The Gospel of Nicodemus (also called the Acts of Pilate) Apocryphal text, extant Greek/Latin versions from the 4th–5th century

A later apocryphal work expands on Nicodemus's role, presenting an elaborated account of Jesus's trial before Pilate and descent into the underworld, with Nicodemus as a defender of Jesus before the Jewish authorities.

Weight: A much later apocryphal text (several centuries after Nicodemus lived), not part of the New Testament canon and not a contemporary historical source — it reflects later Christian storytelling built around the biblical Nicodemus, not verified history.

Scripture references

Further reading

Reflect

Nicodemus came with questions by night and later defended Jesus in daylight — which of your convictions is ready to go public?

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