But Jesus wasn't like most rabbis. . Early traditions of the Roman imperial church, which held Nicodemus in high esteem, and apocryphal biblical literature both offer detail that informs the modern reception of Nicodemuss identity and biography. Did you notice how Jesus responded back when that happened? Other scholars believe that the term (anthen) used by him serves as a double entendre that has been used as a plot device to guide the character as well as the implied reader to a better understanding of the true meaning. What a wonderful turn of events if the executioners wife became a believer and a follower of the one her husband rejected. [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). For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him." When appearing with Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus more commonly supports the lower body of Jesus while Joseph supports the upper body. Nicodemus, whose name means "innocent of blood," stood up for Jesus when the Pharisees were conspiring against him: Nicodemus was intelligent and inquiring. Protecting The Most Valuable Treasure On Earth. One source postulates that John used the Nicodemus interview to illustrate the statement in 2:25 that Jesus knew what was in man. Jesus saw in Nicodemus a sincere seeker after truth to whom He could reveal a clearer and more complete knowledge of His mission than He could to many others.[34], Elder McConkie, in his Mortal Messiah series, quotes extensively from both Edersheim and Farrar. If these accounts are true, God used these events to bring her to Jesus and have eternal life. The Pharisees had created new law, an oral lawthe portion of the Talmud called the Mishna or second law; it is a law founded on tradition instead of revelation, a law that they esteemed to be of greater worth than the Torah, or law of Moses itself. He is using plain, simple, and forceful language. The officers only recorded response was, Never man spake like this man (v. 46). Nicodemus' decision to not follow Jesus would have been even more significant, since it would be a set back in both his struggle against fear and skepticism. What happened to Pontius Pilate after the death of the Lord Jesus Christ? Although Nicodemus wonders about the probability of being actually reborn from one's mother's womb, most theologians hold the view that Nicodemus was aware that Jesus was not talking about literal rebirth. Thanks to this glow of kindling sorrow and compassion in the hearts of these two noble and wealthy disciples, He who died as a malefactor, was buried as a king. The Pharisees were a group of Jewish people who strictly adhered to the letter of the law. . The following outlines Nicodemus' actions and response to Jesus. What does it look like to sit on the sidelines - of the opposing side - while you watch the Jesus movement take off, knowing that you could have been a part of it? Because Nicodemus was a wealthy man, he would have had plenty of people to assist him. . In 1937, Ernst Pepping wrote an Evangelienmotette (motet on gospel text), titled Jesus und Nikodemus. . Nicodemus asked. This group of Jews influenced the early church and were critical of Jesus' ministry. (John 7:51). Can you think of some stories about Jesus' interactions with women? Sidney R. Sandstrom(cesnashville@juno.com) was a retired Church Educational System coordinator living in Smyrna, Tennessee when this was written. What did you discover about Jesus' heart for women who have had a past filled with shame and regret? A few could even trace their service back to or near Jesuss birth. While there are plenty of other interesting topics in the episode, as we see several male storylines wrapped up, The Chosen Episode 8 presents a great opportunity to talk to youth about women, patriarchy, and the impact of Jesus on the gender dynamics of society. Meanwhile, Zohara discourages Nicodemus from his spiritual struggle and questioning. Nicodemus is often depicted in an exotic turban, intended to indicate his position among the Pharisees. The Gospel According to John differs from the other canonical Gospels in its emphasis on the mystical theology surrounding the divine incarnation of Jesus. There's also a lot of fear at work in the back and forth conflict that Nicodemus has with Shmuel. In the Gospel of Matthew, Pilate's wife warns her husband not to harm Jesus and for this she achieved sainthood among Orthodox Christians. Instead of giving us immediate access, The Chosen invites us into the lives of Nicodemus and a diverse array of first century Jews who have their lives turned upside down by their personal encounters with the Messiah. [30] Chandler, Trial of Jesus from a Lawyers Standpoint, 2:319; emphasis added. Find out here. Nicodemus, as a Pharisee, would have been among those who were watching for the promised Messiah. His name appears in three different sections of the Gospel of John. We are not given the end of their initial conversation (John 3:1-21), and so we don't know how Nicodemus ultimately responded to Jesus' teaching. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/nicodemus-38964.php. In the beginning of the biblical story, men and women are created to be in a loving and respectful relationship to one another. If any one thinks evil of his rabbi, it is as if he thought evil of the Eternal.[17]. We see this especially in the veiled threat that Shmuel makes toward the end of season 1. Peter ultimately accepts the call and follows Jesus. [22], Not only did Joseph own a tomb convenient to Calvary but, among the believers, he was uniquely suited to the task of obtaining the body from Pilate because of the office he held with the Roman government Chandler writes, Joseph of Arimathea is called in the Vulgate, or the Latin version of the Bible, noble centurion, because he was one of the ten magistrates or senators who had the principal authority in Jerusalem under the Romans. 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. 1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. However, Yussif, a Pharisee that is interested in Jesus, writes a letter to Nicodemus about Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. These actions challenged the legalism and hypocrisy of the Sanhedrin and Pharisees, but Nicodemus had to be sure Jesus' body was treated with dignity and that he received a proper burial. Claudia Procula must have had a difficult time in the days, months and years that followed Jesus death. The Gospel of John, which appears to be a primary source for much of The Chosen's first season, is particularly interested in the tension between the fear of man and faith in Jesus (e.g. On that occasion, He sat in the midst of the Doctors, and they were hearing him, and asking him questions. While Johns Gospel leaves many questions unanswered about Nicodemus, the main points of the story are clear: Nicodemus was a disciple of Jesus but was not publicly declaring his faith. and all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers (Joseph Smith Translation, Luke 2:4647). Come and see what I am doing and all will be answered. Nicodemus is described in John 3:1 as a Pharisee and a member of the powerful Jewish high council called the Sanhedrin. He brings along a mixture of myrrh and aloes to anoint him for the entombment. Is there more information on Pontius Pilate's wife, Claudia, besides her dream and the fact that she told Pilate not to sentence Jesus to death? Two and one-half years after Nicodemuss visit, Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. [3], Elder McConkie adds perspective to the crush in Jerusalem during Passover: In the days of Jesus, the walled portion of the city encompassed some three hundred acres of houses and streets and markets and shops. Learn Religions, Sep. 7, 2021, learnreligions.com/nicodemus-seeker-of-god-701080. As part of the Talmudic evidence, Robinson recounts the story of Nakdimon ben Gurions purported miracle. [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. What did you notice about how Jesus interacted with Photina? In Chapter Seven, Nicodemus asks his fellow chief priests and Pharisees to carefully listen and examine before passing judgement on Jesus. PROUDLY CREATED WITH WIX.COM. 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. In John 3:1, he is described as a Pharisee. The episode also gives Nicodemus a wife, who seems to exist mainly to give him someone to express his ideas to when he isn't with his fellow Pharisees. What stuck out to you? There might have been some furtive glances at fellow believers before Nicodemus asked his question. In that chapter Nicodemus comes in the secrecy of the night to learn from Jesus, whom he professes as a teacher sent by God. While watching The Chosen, I made occasional comments through the chat but I tried to not do too much teaching. If Zohara met Jesus, do you think she would respond differently to Nicodemus' spiritual struggle? The problem would be to locate this one person among the millions in and around Jerusalem. . In the 16th century, during the conflicts between the Catholics and Protestants, the term "Nicodemite" was introduced in the common vernacular to indicate a person belonging to the other faith than the one prevalent in the region. For more information about how to have eternal life visit Searching For God. This letter is placed in the keeping of his synagogue administrator, Jairus, to give Yussif time to reconsider his words before sending it. Why do you think Photina sometimes responded a little harshly to Jesus? First, John calls attention to how Nicodemus' meeting with Jesus is at night (i.e. The provision for paying the tribute, levied on all, for the support of the Temple, added to the distraction. Nicodemus may seem like strange choice for a primary POV character in a show about the life of Jesus. Jesus could then respond, "I know you have many more questions and doubts. In reality, most kids either have had or will have concerns about how women are treated in the Bible - they just don't always feel safe expressing them. [26] The question arises as to whether the biblical and Talmudic figures could be the same individual. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit," Jesus said. Then, about six months before the crucifixion, the Chief Priests and Pharisees attempted to have Jesus arrested for deception. The amount that we know about Nicodemus based on these three episodes is pretty limited, although that actually may serve the purpose of adaptation well, since it leaves plenty of white space for The Chosen to fill in. After Nicodemus had become a follower, his life was changed forever. Nicodemus, a man of great wealth, donated 75 pounds of expensive myrrh and aloes to anoint the Lord's body after his death. And that's it for our exploration of The Chosen Season 1 with youth! The fine linen (sindn) which Joseph had purchased was richly spread with the hundred litras of myrrh and perfumed aloe-wood which Nicodemus had brought, and the lacerated bodywhose divinely-human spirit was now in the calm of its Sabbath rest in the Paradise of Godwas thus carried to its loved and peaceful grave. After your youth list a few examples, I would point out: When we read the Bible and see women being mistreated by men it's good to keep in mind that the Bible is not endorsing these behaviors, it's simply describing events as they happened. . He seems to show genuine respect for Jesus' miracles and he has real interest in what Jesus has to say. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. Nicodemus is mentioned only three times in the Gospel According to John (and nowhere in the Synoptic Gospels). I hope you enjoy them! Yes, we see Jesus teaching crowds from time to time, but such moments are merely set pieces that provide context for more private interactions. In some accounts he is buried with his wife and two children next to the tomb of Jesus - the ultimate martyr's sepulchre. Just think Claudia Procula was the first one we know of who was unequally yoked. In the next few verses, Jesus goes on to explain that without a new birth, a person will not enter the kingdom. In Michelangelos sculpture of the entombment, Nicodemus is assisted by the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene, rather than Joseph of Arimathea. I realize asking these questions might feel like opening up a can of worms. Nicodemus, like other seekers, had a deep feeling that there must be something more to life, a great truth to be discovered. It would seem that Nicodemus, if his visit was indeed an act of cowardice, was nevertheless the bravest of his associates. . 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. . [20] Nicodemus had personally heard Jesus say in unmistakable language that He was the Only Begotten of the Father, the Son of God. And so he summoned great courage to seek out Jesus and ask questions. but that's actually one of the best things that's ever happened to me. In The Chosen, during Season 1 Episode 8 Nicodemus secretly leaves money for Jesus and his disciples instead of choosing to follow Jesus himself. He was also a member of the Sanhedrin, the supreme court in ancient Israel. He tagged along with Joseph of Arimathea, another disciple of Jesus. An adaptation like The Chosen isn't meant to replace the Bible; it's meant to drive us deeper into the Bible and spiritual reflection. It's not strange that Nicodemus' wife is not mentioned by the Gospel of John. Scholars remain unclear on the overall polemical purpose of either the Acts of Pilate or the Gospel of Nicodemus, but the contrast of Nicodemus as a righteous Jew against an obstinate crowd of Jews, along with his alleged authorship of the texts, is considered by many as providing literary reinforcement to anti-Jewish views held by contemporary Christians. . The Chosen should allow its characters to embrace faith in Jesus with a more incomplete or tentative understanding of who he actually is. There is no explicit indication in the Bible that Jesus asked Nicodemus to follow him. [24] Frederic W. Farrar, The Life of Christ (New York: E. P. Dutton, 1874), 2:42829. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/nicodemus-seeker-of-god-701080. The Gospel of John does not describe how their conversation ended. (John 3:4, NIV), For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have. They formed the Jewish aristocracy, and were powerful though quite small in numbers.[6] This act was a direct frontal attackif not challenging their authority, challenging at least their conduct in regard to their responsibilities for the temple. For example, some traditions relate that he was ostracized by the Pharisees for his Christian sympathies. In fact, it goes out of its way to highlight their moral failures. Instead of having Nicodemus respond to Jesus' Born Again speech by falling to his knees and confessing his faith, we could have been given a much more ambiguous response, communicated solely through facial expressions or perhaps by having him ask even more questions. His was more than a simple greeting of courtesy, such as sir. Nicodemus put himself in a subservient position, as Elder McConkie notes: Different degrees of honor were intended as people used the term Rab, meaning master; Rabbi, my master; and Rabboni, my lord and master.[12]. However, the National Park Service disputes this, asserting that the name of the town was inspired by an 1864 song, Wake Nicodemus by Henry Clay Work. Imagine if, after Jesus concludes his teaching about New Birth, Nicodemus responded with more questions and doubts instead of a clear display of faith. Woller as Gaius: a Roman centurion and a former associate of Matthew. Frederic W. Farrar refers to Christian tradition when he writes: Tradition says that after the Resurrection . There are two sources of information, Josephus and the Babylonian Talmud (Priority of John, 284). 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 (, In the Bible, it isn't completely clear when Nicodemus began to follow Jesus, if he did at all. In The Chosen, during Season 1, Episode 7, Jesus invites Nicodemus to follow him. I found this to be a very affecting moment. Nicodemuss legends generally link him to the monumental crosses. But, even so, we cannot wonder that he should have wished to shroud his first visit in the utmost possible secrecy. Modern evangelical culture has a particularly strong attachment to the idea of a personal relationship with God. Nicodemus struggles with the call but ultimately has cold feet and doesn't follow Jesus. In The Chosen, during Season 1 Episode 5 Nicodemus visits John the Baptist in jail and asks him questions about miracles and the coming of the Messiah. How did meeting Jesus have an impact on Eden and her mother? 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). Episode 8 Guide: The Woman at the Well, Eden, & Zohara, Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers, The Chosen Season 2 Controversy (Jesus, the Bible, & the Process of Inspiration), Should Nicodemus Kneel? [26] The name, which seems to have been not uncommon among the Jews . Commenting about Nicodemus and Joseph on this occasion, Farrar writes: However much he had held back during the life of Jesus, now, on the evening of His death, his heart was filled with a gush of compassion and remorse, and he hurried to His cross and burial with an offering of truly royal munificence. 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