Joh 3:1, 7:50-51, 11:45, 12:42 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 1. A man of the Pharisees . A Pharisee. . Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews . One of the Sanhedrim , 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 , and in the second instance as one who came to aid in embalming his body, . 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. (a) "Nicodemus"

John 3:1

Verse 1. A man of the Pharisees. A Pharisee. Mt 3:3.

Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. One of the Sanhedrim, 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 Jn 7:50, and in the second instance as one who came to aid in embalming his body, Jn 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.

(a) "Nicodemus" Jn 7:50,51, 19:39

John 7:50-51

Verse 50. Nicodemus. See Jn 3:1.

One of them. That is, one of the great council or Sanhedrim. God often places one or more pious men in legislative assemblies to vindicate his honour and his law; and he often gives a man grace on such occasions boldly to defend his cause; to put men upon their proof, and to confound the proud and the domineering. We see in this case, also, that a man, at one time timid and fearful (comp.) Jn 3:1), may on other occasions be bold, and fearlessly defend the truth as it is in Jesus. This example should lead every man intrusted with authority or office fearlessly to defend the truth of God, and, when the rich and the mighty are pouring contempt on Jesus and his cause, to stand forth as its fearless defender.

(s) "he that came" Jn 3:2 (4) "to Jesus", "to him" Verse 51. Doth our law, &c. The law required justice to be done, and gave every man the right to claim a fair and impartial trial, Lev 19:15,16, Ex 23:1,2, De 19:15,18. Their condemnation of Jesus was a violation of every rule of right. He was not arraigned; he was not heard in self-defence, and not a single witness was adduced. Nicodemus demanded that justice should be done, and that he should not be condemned until he had had a fair trial. Every man should be presumed innocent until he is proved to be guilty. This is a maxim of law, and a most just and proper precept in our judgments in private life.

(t) "Doth our law" De 17:8, Prov 18:13

John 11:45

Verse 45.

(e) "and had seen" Jn 2:23, 10:41,42, 12:11,18

John 12:42

Verse 42. The chief rulers. Members of the Sanhedrim -- Nicodemus, Joseph, and others like them.

Because of the Pharisees. The Pharisees were a majority of the council.

Put out of the synagogue. Excommunicated. Jn 9:22,23.

(t) "because of the Pharisees" Jn 9:22