Abstract
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and one of the Jewish leaders, appears only in the Fourth Gospel. Three events in which he participates—a night meeting with Jesus (John 3:1-21), a verbal clash with members of the Sanhedrin (John 7:50-52) and a funeral, performed for Jesus together with Joseph of Arimathea (John 19:38-42)—are perceived negatively by numerous exegetes, and Nicodemus’s attitude is (sometimes harshly) criticised. However, taking into consideration the significance of all the details of the current narrative and the context of the occurring events, one should be led to the conclusion that this man, nowhere explicitly referred by the Evangelist with the term μαθητής, deserves to be called “a disciple of Christ,” who passed through the three-stage process of maturation in faith. Gradually he began to gain courage in advocating for Christ, and at the decisive moment—during Jesus’ death on the Cross—he definitely stepped out of hiding and gave a public testimony of his adherence to the Master of Nazareth. His person, through a gesture shown to the Crucified, became the locus theologicus in which Jesus revealed himself as the immortal Messiah, Prophet, and King.
Highlights
The two terms that qualify him in 3:1 (Pharisee and Jewish dignitary) reappear . . . in 7:48. He persists in being a Pharisee . . . , and it is the Law that has remained the point of reference for him . . . [H]e continues to be one of them, still standing on the outside.”[52]. In light of the question posed in 7:48—“Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him?”—Nicodemus has not believed in Jesus either.[53]
This context marks a shrill contrast to the “nocturnal” circumstances of the encounter between Nicodemus and Jesus. This “disciple in statu crescendi” gradually steps out of the shadow to give an intrepid testimony, and adhere to Jesus. While regarding their initial conversation, we witness the Pharisee start to put into action the words that Jesus crowned that meeting with: “But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God” (3:21)
This marks a major step forward, “coming into the light,” made by Nicodemus in the second episode presented on the leaves of the Fourth Gospel
Summary
For, when one reads the pericopes that present the man (3:1-21; 7:45-53; 19:38-42), several instances of uncertainty arise: 1) Did Nicodemus really exist? The question seems valid because there are no mentions of him in the synop-
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