Can you think of specific examples of women being treated unfairly in the Old Testament? Although Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were secret disciples, they were able to associate with Jesus during the last moments of his life. Nicodemus is often portrayed as a cowardly or vacillating person. While watching The Chosen, I made occasional comments through the chat but I tried to not do too much teaching. She had either heard about Jesus or seen Him and maybe heard Him herself. Nicodemus was not the only one among the ruling classes who believed in Jesus; but of most of these we learn nothing to indicate that they had sufficient courage to come even by night to make independent and personal inquiry. He was also a member of the Sanhedrin, the supreme court in ancient Israel. . He is a member of the Sanhedrin and was obviously a wealthy man, because he purchased about a hundred pounds of spices to be placed between the folds of the cloth in . At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. That lone voice was Nicodemuss, he that came to Jesus by night. Only Nicodemus dares to ask, Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? (v. 51). He had insights into the law and was willing to take risks in public. The Minimalists are American authors, podcasters, filmmakers, and public speakers Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, who promote a minimalist lifestyle. [9] Put succinctly, Jesus did not trust the peoples professed belief. John says that many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. 185 Heber J. John 7:13; 9:22; 12:42; 19:38; 20:19). There's also a lot of fear at work in the back and forth conflict that Nicodemus has with Shmuel. At night, when the masses of humanity had settled into whatever places of abode they could find, there might be some hope of privacy. Elliott Nicodemus Neese was born on January 26, 1982, in the United States. While other Pharisees remained skeptical, Nicodemus faith in Jesus grew. Peter ultimately accepts the call and follows Jesus. [11], Considering the standing of Nicodemus, and the standing of the people with whom he associated, such as the revered Gamaliel, we expect that Nicodemus was not haphazard in addressing Jesus as Rabbi. One will recall that some of the early disciples (later Apostles) were somewhat skeptical on their first meeting with Jesus, yet they are not faulted. . However, the portrayal of him in the Gospel is generally positive. And while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him. Matthew 27:15-19 (NASB). He seems to show genuine respect for Jesus' miracles and he has real interest in what Jesus has to say. The Gospel of John does not describe how their conversation ended. In the crowded Passover confusion, and following a very public clearing of the temple, Nicodemus would have been faced with the problem of arranging a meeting with this Galilean at a time and place favorable for his purposes. He appears as a protagonist in the text and as one of several Jews who testify in Jesus favour before Pilate, in apparent contrast to the charges brought against him by an otherwise undifferentiated group of Jews. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Sometimes their conversation got a little tense. It would have been difficult for The Chosen to mirror the exact shape of Nicodemus' arc in The Gospel of John. It will be remembered that blasphemy was the very charge the Sanhedrin would use three years later to justify Christs death (see Matthew 26:6368; Mark 14:6165; Luke 22:6671; John 19:7). Protecting The Most Valuable Treasure On Earth. Donations to this ministry aretax-deductible. Joseph and Nicodemus were the only two who saw the body of Jesus before it was wrapped, but the women didnt see Nicodemus. But, even so, we cannot wonder that he should have wished to shroud his first visit in the utmost possible secrecy. Our theologians have answers to all your bible questions. [29], Chandler links the biblical and the historical Nicodemus based on wealth, name, and position: We know from the Gospel account of him that he possessed great riches, and that he used nearly a hundred pounds of myrrh and spices for the burial of Christ. But we cannot be sure it is true since scripture speaks truth but we cannot be confident about other sources of antiquity. Many a husband and wife today live in this situation. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. or the need to stream it, you can find it on Amazon. When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, Whom do you want me to release for you? Finally an angel takes charge of his severed head. [28] Tenny and Barabas, eds., Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, s.v. As a result, we're left to wonder whether the teacher will accept Jesus' claims or reject them. . However, it's important to keep in mind that the Bible does not give us a complete description of the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus (John 3:1-21). Nor was this all. {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https://www.missionalmanifesto.net/#person","name":"Akinyemi","sameAs":["https://twitter.com/akinyemiconsult@gmail.com"]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://www.missionalmanifesto.net/#website","url":"https://www.missionalmanifesto.net","name":"Akinyemi","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.missionalmanifesto.net/#person"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.missionalmanifesto.net/what-happened-to-nicodemus-in-the-bible/#webpage","url":"https://www.missionalmanifesto.net/what-happened-to-nicodemus-in-the-bible/","name":"What Happened to Nicodemus in the Bible? Out of a typically evangelical concern for proclaiming accurate theology, the characters jump to the conclusion that Jesus is divine far too quickly. Among the most influential representations of Nicodemus is that in the apocryphal Acts of Pilate, a 4th/5th-century work that expounds on the sentencing and crucifixion of Jesus. These were spices used to embalm the body. How did meeting Jesus have an impact on Eden and her mother? There isn't one.". (John 3:3, NIV), "How can someone be born when they are old?" Episode 8 returns Season One of The Chosen back to where it began, with a storyline that features female characters in much more prominent roles and explores the effect that Jesus' ministry brought to women in a variety of situations. Nicodemus is one of the few in-betweeners present in the Gospels. The measure of the man should not be taken when he enters the door but rather when he leaves. Ibid. Although they were both descendants from the first Israelites, the Samaritans had mixed in with other people groups and adopted a different temple and other disagreements over how to worship. While in Jerusalem he chased the moneychangers from the temple and overturned their tables. If the two be one, then perhaps because of Nicodemuss previous personal experience with miracles, he was drawn to One who was reputed to be able to perform miracles. One of the town's first settlers, Zachary Fletcher, became the first postmaster and the first entrepreneur in Nicodemus, establishing the St. Francis Hotel and a livery stable in 1880. John does tell us that he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews (John 19:38). He may have had a sincere desire to have a serious private conversation away from the crowded, county-fair atmosphere of the Passover-choked streets and temple precincts. ","name":"What Happened to Nicodemus in the Bible? "Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!" [9] The Revised Standard Version (RSV), the New English Bible (NEB), the Jerusalem Bible (JB), and the New International Version (NIV) all translate pisteuo as trust. The New American Standard Bible (NAS) translates pisteuo as entrusting (Strong, Key-Word Comparison, 157). Nicodemus does not appear in The Chosen Season 3. The Bible does not mention Nicodemus' wife. Nicodemus had listened to the Baptist, but he had failed to grasp the deeper significance of what he had heard and apply it to his own life. [18] Elder McConkie explains, Our Lord is speaking in the early days of his ministry. About Ryan Nicodemus. In these conversations, he expresses his theological questions and worries, but his wife squashes them. This group of Jews influenced the early church and were critical of Jesus ministry. The faith which had once required the curtain of darkness, can now venture at least into the light of sunset, and brightened finally into noonday confidence. Due to COVID restrictions, my youth group watched The Chosen online using Zoom. They were regarded as enemies by the Sanhedrin. In The Chosen, Nicodemus has a wife named Zohara. To begin your discussion, ask your youth: What did you think of the episode? In the Gospel of John, he appears three times. The Welsh metaphysical poet, Henry Vaughan, in his poem The Night, uses Nicodemus to accentuate the nights connection with God. During the conversation, Jesus explains the nature of the kingdom of God and teaches Nicodemus how to enter it through water and spirit. Ancient Roman Men, See the events in life of Nicodemus in Chronological Order, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crijn_Hendricksz.jpeg, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pietro_Perugino_cat39.jpg, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fritz_von_Uhde_-_Christus_und_Nikodemus_(ca.1886).jpg. Yes, we see Jesus teaching crowds from time to time, but such moments are merely set pieces that provide context for more private interactions. FYI: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. As Photina pointed out, most rabbis wouldn't be caught dead talking to a Samaritan woman with her past. Meet Nicodemus: Seeker of God. In his final appearance, Nicodemus aids Joseph of Arimathea, a secret follower of Jesus, in Jesus' burial, at great expense (John 19:38-42). After Jesus crucifixion, Nicodemus assists Joseph of Arimathea in laying Jesus body in a nearby tomb (John 19:3942). John records Jesuss testimony to Nicodemus as follows: He who believeth on him is not condemned; but he who believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed on the name of the Only Begotten son of God, which before was preached by the mouth of the holy prophets; for they testifyed of me (Joseph Smith Translation, John 3:18). Nicodemus in The Chosen (Adapting Biblical Characters), Nicodemus may seem like strange choice for a primary POV character in a show about the life of Jesus. Nicodemus was a religious figure and philosopher from Judea. . What Does the Bible Tell Us About Nicodemus? Of course, the most significant moment we see fear at play is in Nicodemus' decision to not accept Jesus' invitation to follow him. It was an open secret in the streets of Jerusalem spoken in hushed voices behind Jesuss back, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? (v. 25). One need only read of the occasion when Christ was brought before Annas for questioning about his disciples, and of his doctrine. After Jesus pointed out His ministry and teachings were a matter of public record, He suggested, Why askest thou me? (John 7:51). On more than one occasion, he expresses theological questions and doubts, only to get batted down by his wife, who reminds Nicodemus of the potentially negative social ramifications if someone else heard him talking that way. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nicodemus. In his first appearance, he is referred to as the Pharisee who has come to see Jesus in the night. Unfortunately, Apple's iOS doesn't support home screen shortcuts in the Chrome browser. Can you think of any instances where it brought Jesus into conflict with other men who were in power? Luke 23 :55-56 states that the women "who had come with him from Galilee" prepared the spices and ointments. Regardless of any reticence or motives that may be assigned to Nicodemus for seeking the interview at night, one must also take into consideration the effect of Christs teachingthe Touch of the Masters Handon Nicodemus that evening and in succeeding days. Obviously John was no stranger to the high priest and perhaps to others in power. has been identified by some with this man in the NT who came to Jesus by night. A digest of Jewish traditions as well as a compendium of the ritualistic performances of the law, it was made up of formalistic minutae.[16]. Nicodemus struggles with the call but ultimately has cold feet and doesn't follow Jesus. [27] Chandler, Trial of Jesus from a Lawyers Standpoint, 2:291326. Jesus, the Living Word, ministered to Nicodemus, a hurting and confused individual, with great compassion and dignity. We hear nothing of Joseph during Nicodemuss defense of Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus tells us that some civil laws God gave to his people in the Old Testament were accommodations to their hard and sinful hearts (Matthew 19:1-9). When he heard about Jesus' ministry, he grew disturbed and confused by the words the Lord was preaching. Tacitus speaks of a population of 600,000; at the time of the Passover this number rose to between 2,000,000 and 3,000,000. . Throughout the Gospel, we're frequently shown examples of figures who have the seeds of faith in Jesus but who don't allow these seeds to come to fruition in a gospel witness because they know that the consequences could be socially or even physically disastrous. The second mention of Nicodemus occurs when some of the chief priests and Pharisees of the Sanhedrin ask why the temple guards failed to bring Jesus to them. [30] Chandler, Trial of Jesus from a Lawyers Standpoint, 2:319; emphasis added. The entirety of the apocryphal account was, at some point, attributed to Nicodemus and later incorporated into a more elaborate work, known as the Gospel of Nicodemus. Then John shows Nicodemus timidly defending Jesus before the Sanhedrin. Though common at the time, the name Nicodemus is not held by anyone else in the New Testament. Well also examine the consequences of his actions. A few could even trace their service back to or near Jesuss birth. PROUDLY CREATED WITH WIX.COM. Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted. He is typically, but not always, paired with Joseph of Arimathea, who together with Nicodemus carries the body of Jesus. Despite the evangelical obsession with the Heel-Face Turn, there are actually relatively few stories in the Gospels themselves that follow this pattern. If youre wondering what happened to Nicodemus in the Bible? then youve come to the right place. If the above statements are true about her, she was one who feared God. The Gospel According to John identifies him as a Pharisee, a leader of the Jews, and a teacher of Israel and portrays him in discussion with the chief priests on Jesus fate. During Jesus trial and crucifixion, Nicodemus was one of the leaders of the Jewish religious leaders. . Nicodemus helped Joseph of Arimathea take Jesus' body down from the cross and lay it in a tomb, at great risk to his safety and reputation. Where in the Bible Does it Talk About Nicodemus, Where Is Nicodemus Mentioned in the Bible, What Does Transgression Mean in the Bible, Who Wrote the Book of Proverbs in the Bible, What Does the Bible Say About Seasons in Your Life, Who Was the Longest Living Person in the Bible, Can You Read the Bible in Chronological Order, Where in the Bible Talks About Lucifer Being an Angel, How Many Wives Did Solomon Have in the Bible. (2021, September 7). Nicodemus ben Gorion later lost his wealth and position so that some have attributed this reversal of circumstance to his having become a Christian. However, the author then adds, The identification is unlikely.[28]. The Gospel of John says Nicodemus was a "Pharisee" and a "ruler of the Jews" (John 3:1). 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