John 3:1-16:33 ESV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 3:1

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... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 3:1-2

John 3:1-2. There was a man of the Pharisees Belonging to the sect so called. What is here related, doubtless, occurred while our Lord was attending at Jerusalem to keep the passover, as is mentioned in the latter part of the preceding chapter: a ruler of the Jews A member of the great council, termed the sanhedrim, John 7:50. The same came to Jesus With desire of receiving instruction from him in divine things, but came privately, and by night Through shame, and fear of his brethren... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 3:1-21

21. Jesus and Nicodemus (3:1-21)Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish Council, or Sanhedrin, was impressed with Jesus’ miracles, but faith based on miracles alone is not enough. There must be inner cleansing, a complete change of heart brought about by the creative power of the Spirit of God. Only then can a person enter the kingdom of God (John 3:1-5; cf. Ezekiel 36:25-27).Jews prided themselves that they were born Jews, and thought this guaranteed their entrance into the kingdom of God. Jesus was... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 3:1

There was = Now there was. a man . With special reference to the last word of John 2:0 . man. Greek. anthropos. App-123 . of. Greek. ek. App-104 . Pharisees . App-120 . Nicodemus . Mentioned three times (here, 1, 4, 9; John 7:50 ; John 19:39 ). Rabbinical tradition makes him one of the three richest men in Jerusalem. See Lightfoot, vol. xii, p. 252. ruler. A member of the Sanhedrin, or National Council. See on Matthew 5:22 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 3:1

The proper understanding of this chapter begins with the final verses of John 2, where it was revealed that a great number of people "believed on" the Lord Jesus Christ, but whose discipleship was rejected by the Lord because they had "faith only." Commentators who have vainly tried to find something wrong with the faith of those people are frustrated by the fact that "believed on" in John 2:23 means exactly what it means everywhere else in the New Testament. See under John 12:42,43. The... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 3:1

John 3:1. There was a man of the Pharisees, &c.— Nicodemus was a member of the great council, and, as some suppose, a ruler of a synagogue; for αρχων, the title here given him, is often used in this sense by the evangelists: compare Mat 18:23 with Luke 8:41. Accordingly, Joh 3:10 on this very occasion, Jesus calls him a master, or teacher of Israel. He might possess both dignities, many of the members of the council being rulers of synagogues. It is however certain, that he was one of the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 3:1

1, 2. Nicodemus—In this member of the Sanhedrim sincerity and timidity are seen struggling together. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 3:1

John introduced Nicodemus (lit. conqueror of or victor over the people) as a Pharisee who was a ruler of the Jews, namely, a member of the Sanhedrin (cf. John 7:50-51). As a Pharisee, Nicodemus had respect for the Jewish Scriptures and was nationalistic politically. He would have stressed the careful observance of Israel’s laws and the traditions of the elders. This was the way of salvation for Pharisees."In its own way this chapter does away with ’works of the law’ every bit as thoroughly as... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 3:1-21

3. Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus 3:1-21John now presented evidence that Jesus knew people as no others did and that many believed in His name (John 2:23). This constitutes further witness that He is the Son of God. John summarized several conversations that Jesus had with various individuals in the next few chapters. They were remarkably different types of people, yet they all responded positively to Jesus. The first man was a representative of Pharisaic Judaism. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:1-36

The New Birth. John’s Testimony to Jesus1-15. Conversation with Nicodemus. The ministry at Jerusalem, though disappointing, was not fruitless. Christ’s miracles and teaching had made an impression, not only on Nicodemus, but as Nicodemus himself says (John 3:2, cp. John 12:42), on other members of the Sanhedrin. This interview took place by night, on account of the timidity of Nicodemus (cp. John 7:50), and probably in St. John’s house at Jerusalem, the evangelist himself being present.... read more