João 7
Bob Utley · Citado em PreceptAustin
João 7
Utley - Jesus' brothers' way for Jesus to reveal Himself (i.e., miracles) was very different from Jesus' way (the cross). This is where the prophecy of Isa. 55:8-11 comes into clear focus! Thompson - Christ was operating on God’s time clock. He had already turned down an opportunity to become king (6:15). As Dr. Warren Wiersbe said, “Celebrities might ride to success on the applause of the crowd, but God’s servants know better” (Be Alive, p. 85). Lost relatives have no sense of the timing of God, nor of the will of God. They don’t have a clue what is going on. They will give advice and it may appear to be very reasonable, logical and even philosophical, but it is not Biblical and should not be heeded. Guzik makes an interesting observation - As Jesus obeyed His Father, He lived out the truth that God’s timing is an important expression of His will. Something may be in God’s will but not yet in His timing. But (term of contrast) your time (kairos) is always opportune (hetoimos) - NJB = "but for you any time is the right time." Jesus is saying His brothers could go to the feasts in Jerusalem any time they desired as the Jews were not seeking their lives (that this is the major emphasis is underscored by Jesus' next words about hatred from the world). His words also clearly imply that His brothers had no concept of God's plan of redemption and the need for the Lamb of God to be sacrificed. Time (season, opportunity, epoch, proper time) (2540) kairos means a point of time or period of time, time, period, frequently with the implication of being especially fit for something and without emphasis on precise chronology. It describes the period as especially appropriate and favorable (the right time). Stated another way kairos is distinguished from chronos (time) because kairos views TIME from the aspect of the strategic opportunity it provides, and not simply a change from the past into the present into the future, not mere duration. (Trench)Something that lasts for a season and so is transient, temporary or enduring only for a specific period of time. Kairos is a period which is especially appropriate - a favorable time (at the right time). Kairos in Gospels - Matt. 8:29; Matt. 11:25; Matt. 12:1; Matt. 13:30; Matt. 14:1; Matt. 16:3; Matt. 21:34; Matt. 21:41; Matt. 24:45; Matt. 26:18; Mk. 1:15; Mk. 10:30; Mk. 11:13; Mk. 12:2; Mk. 13:33; Lk. 1:20; Lk. 4:13; Lk. 8:13; Lk. 12:42; Lk. 12:56; Lk. 13:1; Lk. 18:30; Lk. 19:44; Lk. 20:10; Lk. 21:8; Lk. 21:24; Lk. 21:36; Jn. 5:4; Jn. 7:6; Jn. 7:8 Opportune (2092) hetoimos from an old noun heteos = fitness) means ready, prepared, in a state of readiness. Friberg - ready, prepared; (1) of persons ready, prepared (Lk 12.40); substantivally a person who is ready (Mt 25.10); (2) of things ready, put in readiness (Mk 14.15); substantivally what has been prepared (2Co 10.16); (3) of time ready, at hand, here (Jn 7.6) (Borrow Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament) Hetoimos - 17v - accomplished(1), opportune(1), ready(15). Matt. 22:4; Matt. 22:8; Matt. 24:44; Matt. 25:10; Mk. 14:15; Lk. 12:40; Lk. 14:17; Lk. 22:33; Jn. 7:6; Acts 23:15; Acts 23:21; 2 Co. 9:5; 2 Co. 10:6; 2 Co. 10:16; Tit. 3:1; 1 Pet. 1:5; 1 Pet. 3:15 John 7:7 "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil. BGT John 7:7 οὐ δύναται ὁ κόσμος μισεῖν ὑμᾶς, ἐμὲ δὲ μισεῖ, ὅτι ἐγὼ μαρτυρῶ περὶ αὐτοῦ ὅτι τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ πονηρά ἐστιν. KJV John 7:7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. NET John 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me, because I am testifying about it that its deeds are evil. CSB John 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it does hate Me because I testify about it-- that its deeds are evil. ESV John 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. NIV John 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. NLT John 7:7 The world can't hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. NRS John 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify against it that its works are evil. NJB John 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it does hate me, because I give evidence that its ways are evil. NAB John 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me, because I testify to it that its works are evil. YLT John 7:7 the world is not able to hate you, but me it doth hate, because I testify concerning it that its works are evil. GWN John 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I say that what everyone does is evil. world: John 15:19 Lu 6:26 Jas 4:4 1Jn 4:5 but: John 15:18-19,23-25 17:14 Pr 8:36 Isa 49:7 Zec 11:8 Ro 8:7 1Jn 3:12,13 because: John 3:19 1Ki 21:20 22:8 Pr 9:7,8 15:12 Isa 29:21 Jer 20:8 Am 7:7-13 Mal 3:5 Lu 11:39-54 Ac 5:28-33 7:51-54 Ga 4:16 Rev 11:5-11 John 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: John 15:18-19; 23-25 (CAUSE OF WORLD'S HATRED OF JESUS & HIS DISCIPLES) “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.....(23-25) “He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 “If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. 25 “But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.’ John 3:20+ “For everyone who (present tense - habitually) does (prasso) evil (present tense - continually) hates the Light (THEY HATE JESUS!), and does not come to the Light (WHY?) for fear that his deeds will be exposed." Matthew 10:22+ (WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU MENTION THE NAME JESUS IN A CASUAL CONVERSATION?) “You will be hated by all because of My Name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. Matthew 24:9 “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. Luke 6:22+ “Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. 1 John 3:13+ Do not be surprised (present imperative with a negative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey), brethren, if the world (present tense - continually) hates you. (WHY ARE WE SO OFTEN SURPRISED?) 1 John 2:15-17+ Do not love (present imperative with a negative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For (TERM OF EXPLANATION) all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who (present tense - habitually - direction, not perfection) does the will of God lives forever. James 4:4+ You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. THE LOST WORLD HATES JESUS' CONFRONTATION OF THEIR SIN This verse explains why lost people do not even want to hear the Name "Jesus" (except as a curse word!), because His very Name shines His light on the darkness of their sin which they do not want exposed! J C
João 7
Utley on teach - Jesus' speaking events are characterized by teaching, Matt. 4:23; 5:2,19; 7:29, etc.; John 6:59; 7:14,28,35; 8:20,28 and by preaching, Luke 4:18; 7:22; 9:6; 20:1. These seem to be used synonymously to refer to Jesus imparting the truths of God to His human creation. The revelation was always meant to inform and reform. It demanded a decision accompanied by a change of lifestyle priorities. Truth changes everything! Teach (teaching, taught) (1321) didasko from dáo= know or teach) means to teach a student in such a way that the will of the student becomes conformed to the teaching taught. So the teacher teaches in such a way that as the student is taught, he now changes his mind saying in essence ''I won't do it my way, but I will do it God's way because I've learned this doctrine or this teaching.'' Doctrine determines direction of our behavior, conformed to world or to God? (Ro 12:2) Teaching that Scripture finds significant is not that which provides information alone but also the teaching that produces (Spirit enabled) transformation, that creates disciples to supernaturally live in responsive obedience to God's will. Didasko means to provide instruction in a formal or informal setting. Didasko refers to imparting positive truth. It is the responsibility of every believer (Col 3:16), and is part of the Great Commission (Mt 28:20). It is especially the responsibility of church leaders. “An overseer, then, must be… able to teach” (1Ti 3:2). Heresy flourishes where sound Christian teaching lags. The idea is to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them by word of mouth (tutor, direct, advise, put in mind). In the NT almost without exception didasko refers to the teaching of groups. Didasko in John - Jn. 6:59; Jn. 7:14; Jn. 7:28; Jn. 7:35; Jn. 8:2; Jn. 8:20; Jn. 8:28; Jn. 9:34; Jn. 14:26; Jn. 18:20; John 7:28 Then Jesus cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, “You both know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. John 7:35 The Jews then said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find Him? He is not intending to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks, is He? Jon Courson - John 7:14 - from A Day's Journey (borrow) The first time Jesus went to Jerusalem, He cleansed the temple (John 2:13–16). This time, He’s teaching in the temple. And that’s always the way it is: before Jesus can impart His Word effectively to me, there must first be a cleansing within me. The moneychangers must be driven out, the cattle chased away. That is why when you study the Word whether at church corporately or in your devotions individually, it’s always good to say, ‘Lord, before I even begin reading, search my heart. Show me that which needs to be confessed.’ ‘If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me,’ declared the Psalmist (Psalm 66:18). Why? Because our Father won’t allow us to live in sin which will hurt us and those around us and still continue in an intimate relationship with Him. He loves you and me too much for that. So He says, ‘I’m going to break communication with you not because I’m angry with you, not because I’m giving up on you, but because something’s amiss in your life; and if it’s not changed, it will bring pain into your life and problems into the lives of those around you. So when you don’t sense I’m listening, if your prayers aren’t being answered, or the Word isn’t speaking, call upon Me; let Me come in and cleanse your temple. ‘And then I will teach; Then you will hear My voice; Then you will see My face.’ I think that too many of us minimize the importance of quietly waiting on the Lord and asking Him to search our hearts. Before teaching, there must be cleansing. John 7:15 The Jews then were astonished, saying, "How has this man become learned, having never been educated?" BGT John 7:15 ἐθαύμαζον οὖν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι λέγοντες· πῶς οὗτος γράμματα οἶδεν μὴ μεμαθηκώς; KJV John 7:15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? NET John 7:15 Then the Jewish leaders were astonished and said, "How does this man know so much when he has never had formal instruction?" CSB John 7:15 Then the Jews were amazed and said, "How does He know the Scriptures, since He hasn't been trained?" ESV John 7:15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, "How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?" NIV John 7:15 The Jews were amazed and asked, "How did this man get such learning without having studied?" NLT John 7:15 The people were surprised when they heard him. "How does he know so much when he hasn't been trained?" they asked. NRS John 7:15 The Jews were astonished at it, saying, "How does this man have such learning, when he has never been taught?" NJB John 7:15 The Jews were astonished and said, 'How did he learn to read? He has not been educated.' NAB John 7:15 The Jews were amazed and said, "How does he know scripture without having studied?" YLT John 7:15 and the Jews were wondering, saying, 'How hath this one known letters -- not having learned?' GWN John 7:15 The Jews were surprised and asked, "How can this man be so educated when he hasn't gone to school?" BBE John 7:15 Then the Jews were surprised and said, How has this man got knowledge of books? He has never been to school. RSV John 7:15 The Jews marveled at it, saying, "How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?" NKJ John 7:15 And the Jews marveled, saying, "How does this Man know letters, having never studied?" ASV John 7:15 The Jews therefore marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? MIT John 7:15 The Jews were deeply impressed by him; they said, "How does he have such a command of language in consideration of the fact that he has not been to rabbinic school?" were astonished: John 7:46 Mt 7:28,29 Mt 22:22,33 Lu 2:47 How: Mt 13:54 Mk 6:2,3 Lu 4:22 Acts 2:7-13 Acts 4:11-12 having never been educated, Am 7:14,15 John 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Acts 26:24 While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning (SAME WORD USED IN Jn 7:15 - "letters" gramma) is driving you mad.” Matthew 7:28-29 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29 for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. Matthew 13:54 (IN HIS HOMETOWN OF NAZARETH) He came to His hometown and began teaching them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? Mark 1:22 (IN CAPERNAUM) They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. John 7:46 The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks.” Matthew 22:22 And hearing this (Mt 22:21), they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away. Matthew 22:33 When the crowds heard this (Mt 22:32), they were astonished at His teaching. Luke 2:47 (EVEN AS A CHILD THEY WERE AMAZED) And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. Acts 4:13+ Now as they (JEWISH LEADERS) observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. JESUS' AMAZING TEACHING The Jews (Ioudaios) then were astonished (thaumazo), saying - Apparently after listening to Jesus teaching the Jews sound off. Other rabbis quoted one another; Jesus claimed to quote God! The Jews could refer to the leaders, but in this context might also include more of the general populace who were in the Temple audience. Astonished is in the imperfect tense signifying that over and over they marveled, expressing a sense of wonder and amazement. However, for most of the hearers, Jesus' words went in one ear and out the other, never landing as fertile seed in the soil of good hearts (Lk 8:15+). The Jews (probably the leaders) knew that Jesus had not studied or been a disciple of a prominent rabbi (even Paul studied under Gamaliel Acts 22:3+). They could not deny His miracles so they attack His credentials! "What surprises them, they say, is that a man who has had no proper education should presume to teach in public and palm himself off as one who is versed in Scriptural learning." (Lenski) How has this man become learned (gramma), having never been educated (manthano in perfect tense - past completed action, present, abiding effect or result) - The KJV is more literal = "How knoweth (eido) this man letters (gramma)." NET = "How does this man know so much when he has never had formal instruction?" MIT = "In consideration of the fact that he has not been to rabbinic school?" They are asking this question not so much to Jesus but to the multitude around Him. And notice they again refer to Jesus in a derisive manner as "this Man!" ("Where is He?" in Jn 7:11, cf Jn 18:17,29) The Jews were astonished but not admonished as they should have been by His teaching! They knew He had not set under a famous rabbi (See Shammaite and Hillelite interpretations of Jewish Law) and yet He still rightly divided the Word of God. They were also likely astonished that such a Man could He have such a command of the Scripture? (The irony of course is that He Himself was "The Word," "The Word of God" - Jn 1:1, Rev 19:13). And so they attacked Him on grounds that He lacked the proper credentials (or authority) for a teacher, having received no formal training in the rabbinical schools. Or as we might say today, how can that man teach with such authority since he has never even been to seminary! They could question His credentials but not His content! Carson points out that "About a year later, Peter and John similarly confounded the religious authorities, who were compelled to observe that although they were ‘unschooled (agrammatoi), ordinary men’ (Acts 4:13), they had been with Jesus and apparently drew their knowledge and authority from that exposure."
João 7
Utley commenting on division - This is the mystery of the parable of the soils (cf. Matt. 13). Some have spiritual ears and some do not (cf. Matt. 10:27; 11:15; 13:9, 15 (twice), 16, 43; Mark 4:9, 23; 7:16; 8:18; Luke 8:8; 14:35). (John 7 Commentary) Rejecting hearts are blinded still to the fact that Christ's origin was not Galilee but Bethlehem Kenneth Gangel summarizes the divided reaction of the Jewish crowd - Finally, we see the invitation of Messiah is divisive to unbelievers. How typical of the gospel. Invariably in Acts when the gospel is preached, some people believe, some hesitate, some scoff, and some want to kill the messenger. On this occasion, some believed a portion of what Jesus said; some believed but did nothing; some got lost in religious arguments; and some reacted in hostile indignation. How foolish to recognize that Messiah was prophesied to come from Bethlehem and yet not check the facts of Jesus' birth. Rejecting hearts are blinded still to the fact that Christ's origin was not Galilee but Bethlehem; indeed, it was not earth, but heaven. John kept dropping in references to the Prophet, a device in line with his messianic emphasis. Yet there was still no clear connection in the people's minds between Moses' promise of a future prophet and the coming of this Messiah. One thing was clear—the people were divided because of Jesus. (See Holman New Testament Commentary - scroll up/down for more text)
João 7
Utley - This is a very startling testimony. (1) they did not mention their fear of the crowd which would have been a good excuse for them; (2) these Temple Police were unanimous in their opinion about Jesus, while the crowd was divided; and (3) these men were accustomed to following orders, not giving their opinions. (John 7 Commentary) But no one (oudeis - absolutely no one) laid hands on (epiballo) Him - Once again we see the sovereignty of God in play for it was not yet Jesus' hour to be arrested and crucified. Seize (4084) piazo related to piezo = to press) originally meant to press or squeeze, and then to take hold of with a firm grasp as here in Acts 3:7. More often piazo speaks of seizing someone with a hostile intent so as to overpower them or to gain control. Most often piazo is used to describe the hostile attempts to seize Jesus (Jn 7:30, 32, 44, Jn 8:20, 10:39, 11:57). In 2 Cor 11:32 used of the attempt "to seize" Paul at "the city of the Damascenes." In Acts 12:4 of Herod who "seized him (Peter and), he put him in prison." There is one vivid use in the Septuagint of Song 2:15+ in the form of a command to "Catch (Heb = achaz; Lxx = piazo - aorist imperative) the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom.” Piazo - 12x in 12v - caught(2), seize(6), seized(3), seizing(1). Jn. 7:30; Jn. 7:32; Jn. 7:44; Jn. 8:20; Jn. 10:39; Jn. 11:57; Jn. 21:3; Jn. 21:10; Acts 3:7; Acts 12:4; 2 Co. 11:32; Rev. 19:20 John 7:45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, "Why did you not bring Him?" BGT John 7:45 Ἦλθον οὖν οἱ ὑπηρέται πρὸς τοὺς ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ Φαρισαίους, καὶ εἶπον αὐτοῖς ἐκεῖνοι· διὰ τί οὐκ ἠγάγετε αὐτόν; KJV John 7:45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? NET John 7:45 Then the officers returned to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why didn't you bring him back with you?" CSB John 7:45 Then the temple police came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why haven't you brought Him?" ESV John 7:45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you not bring him?" NIV John 7:45 Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why didn't you bring him in?" NLT John 7:45 When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, "Why didn't you bring him in?" NRS John 7:45 Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not arrest him?" NJB John 7:45 The guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees who said to them, 'Why haven't you brought him?' NAB John 7:45 So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not bring him?" YLT John 7:45 the officers came, therefore, unto the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, 'Wherefore did ye not bring him?' GWN John 7:45 When the temple guards returned, the chief priests and Pharisees asked them, "Why didn't you bring Jesus?" BBE John 7:45 Then the servants went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, Why have you not got him with you? RSV John 7:45 The officers then went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you not bring him?" NKJ John 7:45 Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why have you not brought Him?" ASV John 7:45 The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why did ye not bring him? MIT John 7:45 The deputies returned to the executive priests and Pharisees, who wanted to know why they had not brought him in. the officers: John 7:32 Ac 5:21-27 John 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE PHARISEE'S INDIGNATION WHEN GUARDS RETURN EMPTY HANDED In this closing section in John 7:45-52, it is fascinating to observe three groups related to the religious leaders which parallels the three groups among the Jews described above in John 7:40-44 - (1) the temple officers in John 7:45-46, (2) the Pharisees in John 7:47-49, 52 and (3) the Pharisee Nicodemus in John 7:50-52. And just as we saw a division among the Jews, we see there is a division among these three groups. Very interesting! The officers (huperetes) then came to the chief priests (archiereus) and Pharisees (pharisaios), and they said to them, "Why did you not bring Him - The officers (temple police) had been given the authority and the order to arrest Jesus (Jn 7:32+), but they did not follow through. The Pharisees are thoroughly perplexed at the failure of the officers to arrest Jesus. Comparing John 7:30 it appears they did not arrest Him because "His hour had not yet come." (cf God's sovereignty). A T
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Utley - This refers to “the people of the land” (‘am hā’āres) who were looked down on by the religious leaders because they did not perform all the Oral Traditions (cf. Deut. 27:26). John’s irony continues to be seen in v. 50 where Nicodemus points out to them that they are also breaking the Law by their treatment of Jesus. Oh, the tragedy of religiosity. The very ones who curse the common people are cursed themselves! If light has become darkness, how great is the darkness! Be warned, modern, conservative, educated religionists! (John 7 Commentary) John 7:50 Nicodemus (he who came to Him before, being one of them) said to them, BGT John 7:50 λέγει Νικόδημος πρὸς αὐτούς, ὁ ἐλθὼν πρὸς αὐτὸν [τὸ] πρότερον, εἷς ὢν ἐξ αὐτῶν· KJV John 7:50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) NET John 7:50 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before and who was one of the rulers, said, CSB John 7:50 Nicodemus-- the one who came to Him previously, being one of them-- said to them, ESV John 7:50 Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, NIV John 7:50 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, NLT John 7:50 Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up. NRS John 7:50 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, NJB John 7:50 One of them, Nicodemus -- the same man who had come to Jesus earlier -- said to them, NAB John 7:50 Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, YLT John 7:50 Nicodemus saith unto them -- he who came by night unto him -- being one of them, GWN John 7:50 One of those Pharisees was Nicodemus, who had previously visited Jesus. Nicodemus asked them, BBE John 7:50 Nicodemus -- he who had come to Jesus before, being himself one of them -- said to them, RSV John 7:50 Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, NKJ John 7:50 Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, ASV John 7:50 Nicodemus saith unto them (he that came to him before, being one of them), MIT John 7:50 Nicodemus, the one of their group who formerly had come to Jesus, said to them, he who came: John 3:1-2 Jn 19:39 John 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries NICK AT NIGHT'S BOLD PROTEST! Nicodemus (he who came to Him before [Jn 3:1-2+], being one of them) (present tense - continually) said to them - Nicodemus the teacher in Israel had visited Jesus cloaked in the cover of darkness and heard the greatest truths in the world about how a man could be born again and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. John earlier recorded "Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” (John 3:1-2+) Being one of them - This description indicates Nicodemus was a Pharisee as noted in John 3:1+ and presumably a member of the Sanhedrin. This Pharisee was different because he saw the Light of the world (Jn 8:12) and almost certainly became a believer as indicated by his actions after the crucifixion, John recording "Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight." (John 19:39) Steven