John 3:1

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

Complete Jewish Bible:

There was a man among the P’rushim, named Nakdimon, who was a ruler of the Judeans.

Berean Standard Bible:

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.

American Standard Version:

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

^{G1161} There was^{G2258} a man^{G444} of^{G1537} the Pharisees^{G5330}, named^{{G3686}{G846}} Nicodemus^{G3530}, a ruler^{G758} of the Jews^{G2453}:

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Commentary for John 3:1

John 3:1 introduces a key figure in the Gospel of John, Nicodemus, who is described as both a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews. This verse sets the stage for a significant theological dialogue that follows. The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish sect known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the oral traditions. They were influential in the religious and social life of first-century Palestine. Nicodemus' title as a "ruler of the Jews" suggests he was a member of the Sanhedrin, the highest court and legislative body in ancient Israel.

The historical context of this verse is the tension between the burgeoning Christian movement and the established Jewish religious authorities. By identifying Nicodemus as a Pharisee and a leader, the Gospel writer is presenting a figure who represents the religious elite of Jerusalem. His visit to Jesus at night, as mentioned in the subsequent verses, may imply a certain level of caution or secrecy, possibly due to the potential backlash from his peers for associating with Jesus, who was becoming a controversial figure.

The themes introduced by the appearance of Nicodemus include the nature of true faith and understanding, the relationship between Jewish law and the new message of Jesus, and the challenge of established religious authorities confronting a new spiritual paradigm. Nicodemus' character arc throughout the Gospel of John reflects the struggle of the Jewish leadership to come to terms with Jesus' teachings and the spiritual renewal he offered. His initial inability to grasp Jesus' teachings about being "born again" (John 3:3-4) underscores the transformative and somewhat radical nature of Jesus' message in contrast to the legalistic framework of Pharisaic Judaism. Nicodemus' journey from a secretive nighttime encounter to eventually helping to bury Jesus (John 19:39) hints at a personal transformation and an openness to the very message he initially found perplexing.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G2258
   There are 416 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἦν
   Transliteration: ēn
   Pronunciation: ane
   Description: imperfect of εἰμί; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were.
   
3. Strong's Number: G444
   There are 614 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἄνθρωπος
   Transliteration: ánthrōpos
   Pronunciation: anth'-ro-pos
   Description: from ἀνήρ and (the countenance; from ὀπτάνομαι); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1537
   There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐκ
   Transliteration: ek
   Pronunciation: ex
   Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
   
5. Strong's Number: G5330
   There are 95 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Φαρισαῖος
   Transliteration: Pharisaîos
   Pronunciation: far-is-ah'-yos
   Description: of Hebrew origin (compare פָּרָשׁ); a separatist, i.e. exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary:--Pharisee.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3686
   There are 214 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὄνομα
   Transliteration: ónoma
   Pronunciation: on'-om-ah
   Description: from a presumed derivative of the base of γινώσκω (compare ὀνίνημι); a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character):--called, (+ sur-)name(-d).
   
7. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3530
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Νικόδημος
   Transliteration: Nikódēmos
   Pronunciation: nik-od'-ay-mos
   Description: from νῖκος and δῆμος; victorious among his people; Nicodemus, an Israelite:--Nicodemus.
   
9. Strong's Number: G758
   There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἄρχων
   Transliteration: árchōn
   Pronunciation: ar'-khone
   Description: present participle of ἄρχω; a first (in rank or power):--chief (ruler), magistrate, prince, ruler.
   
10. Strong's Number: G2453
    There are 187 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Ἰουδαῖος
    Transliteration: Ioudaîos
    Pronunciation: ee-oo-dah'-yos
    Description: from Ἰουδά (in the sense of Ἰούδας as a country); Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah:--Jew(-ess), of Judæa.