Jesus And Nicodemus (Jn. 3: 1-15)

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus answered and said to him, “How can this happen?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? 11 Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. 12 If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin.  The Sanhedrin was the supreme council that played a significant role in the religious and legal affairs of the Jews.  The general structure was as follows: The High Priest, the elders of the chief families and clans, the former high priests and elders of the four high priestly families, the scribes who were lawyers and experts in Jewish law, and members of the Pharisees and Sadducees who were two prominent religious sects.  The four high priestly families dating back from the OT were Zadok (Ez. 40-46), Hilkiah (2 Kgs. 22:4-14), Phinehas (Num. 25:7-13), and Eli (1 Sam. 1-4).  

The religious leaders were hostile towards Jesus, so Nicodemus probably came to him secretly at night to avoid anyone seeing him, and out of fear of reprisal and hostility from his peers.  Nicodemus was not hostile towards Jesus (Jn. 7:50-52).  He believed that Jesus was sent by God because of the signs and wonders he did.  Nicodemus came to Jesus at night but when he encountered Jesus he was brought into the light (Jn. 1:3-5).  It was Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus who buried Jesus’ body after he was crucified (Jn. 19:38-42).  

When Jesus says, "Amen, amen, I say to you (v. 3)," he is emphasizing the truth and significance of the statement that follows.  It underscores the authority and truthfulness of His teachings.  Nicodemus did not understand Jesus’ statement, "No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above (v. 3).” See the Kingdom of God or see life (Jn. 3:36) mean the same thing.  Jesus tried to lead Nicodemus to a deeper understanding.  He told Nicodemus, “No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit "(v. 5).  Born from above does not refer to natural birth but to spiritual rebirth through Baptism, symbolizing the regeneration and renewal brought about by the Holy Spirit.  Through Baptism, one enters into a new life in Christ, becoming a member of the heavenly kingdom and experiencing a spiritual transformation, a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17).  What is born of the Spirit is a spiritual being who lives according to the spirit (Rom. 8:5-6).  

Faith in Jesus must originate from the Spirit, a mysterious force beyond human control. Although its source is beyond man's comprehension, it is undeniably real, much like the wind, which, though unseen, is unquestionably present (verses 6-8). The tangible impacts of the Spirit are evident, even though the process of transformation remains hidden.  The effects of the Spirit are real even though the process is invisible.  Nicodemus was a teacher, but he did not understand what Jesus told him even though it should have been revealed to him through the Law and the Prophets, i.e. the Torah, and the prophetic writings (Ezek. 36:25; Is. 44:3).  

Jesus told Nicodemus that he is testifying to what he knows and what he has seen but they do not accept his testimony.  Jesus asserts his own competency as a divine teacher, but the religious leaders do not accept him.  If they cannot understand the earthly things he speaks about, how will they understand when the Son of Man, the divine Word (Jn. 1:1-3) who is the only one with knowledge of heaven (v. 13), speaks about heavenly things?  Jesus’ words “the one who has come down from heaven” imply that he has not ceased being in heaven (Jn. 10:30; Jn14:10-11).  Jesus then pointed to the necessity of his exaltation on the Cross (v. 14).  The Israelites in the desert complained against God and were bitten by poisonous serpents.  God saved many by having them look upon a bronze serpent mounted on a pole (Num. 21:4-9).  Many will be saved through the merits of Christ crucified (Wis. 16:5-7).  Believing in Christ’s redeeming death can lead to eternal life (1 Jn. 5:11).  

Almighty God, open our hearts to the teachings of your Son Jesus Christ so that we may be born again of the Spirit.  Illuminate our minds so that we may recognize your presence even when we do not see or feel it.  This we pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen!

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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.

                Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.