Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council who came to Jesus at night (John 3). He was drawn to Jesus but cautious, coming privately with his questions.

Why did Nicodemus come to Jesus at night?

The text says he came by night (John 3:2), most likely to avoid being seen, since he had a public position among leaders wary of Jesus. Jesus welcomed him and answered his questions fully.

What did Jesus tell Nicodemus?

Jesus told him he must be born again to see the kingdom of God (John 3:3), and spoke the famous words of John 3:16-17, that God so loved the world that he gave his Son, not to condemn the world but to save it.

Meet Jesus

Nicodemus: The Question You Only Ask at Night

Nicodemus was a respected religious leader with a reputation to protect, so he came to Jesus at night, when no one would see. He came with honest curiosity. Jesus did not shame him for coming quietly. He met him there in the dark and spoke to him some of the most famous words ever spoken: you must be born again, for God so loved the world.

If this is you

If you are curious about Jesus but not ready to say so out loud, if you would rather look into this privately, where no one can ask you about it, you are in good company. Nicodemus came at night with real questions and no announcement. Jesus welcomed exactly that.

The story

Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus by night. He admitted that Jesus must have come from God. Jesus answered him with something that turned his whole framework over.

“The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”

John 3:2

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:3

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

John 3:17

What this shows about Jesus

Jesus did not turn Nicodemus away for coming quietly, and he did not water down the truth to make it comfortable. He took the question seriously and answered it fully. Notice verse 17: Jesus says plainly he did not come to condemn but to save. The curiosity you bring in the dark is not something he despises. It is exactly where he begins.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Nicodemus?: Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council who came to Jesus at night (John 3). He was drawn to Jesus but cautious, coming privately with his questions.
Why did Nicodemus come to Jesus at night?: The text says he came by night (John 3:2), most likely to avoid being seen, since he had a public position among leaders wary of Jesus. Jesus welcomed him and answered his questions fully.
What did Jesus tell Nicodemus?: Jesus told him he must be born again to see the kingdom of God (John 3:3), and spoke the famous words of John 3:16-17, that God so loved the world that he gave his Son, not to condemn the world but to save it.

Read it yourself. Do not take our word for it. The whole scene is right there in the Gospel: John 3 → Read slowly, and watch what Jesus actually does.

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Come and see for yourself

You can come at night. You can come with doubts and a reputation and no intention of telling anyone. Jesus met Nicodemus there, and he will meet you there too.

You do not have to believe anything yet. Just come and look at him with an open heart, the way the people in these stories did. He still draws near to everyone who comes.

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Jesus Christ is Lord.

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