ACC ~ John 3 v2

HE HOPES TO LEARN MORE OF CHRIST’S MYSTERIES

BEDE: This ruler of the Jews came to Jesus by night, hoping, that is, by so secret an interview, to learn more of the mysteries of the faith; the late public miracles having given him a rudimentary knowledge of them. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 3. [1]

[1] PL 92:667.

NICODEMUS APPEARS ELSEWHERE IN THE GOSPEL

CHRYSOSTOM: This man [Nicodemus] appears also in the middle of the Gospel defending Christ when he says, “Our law judges no man before it hears him.” [1] The Jews in anger replied to him, “Search and look, for out of Galilee arises no prophet.” Again after the crucifixion he bestowed great care upon the burial of the Lord’s body: “And there came also Nicodemus,” says the Evangelist, “who first came to the Lord by night and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pound weight.” [2] And even now he was disposed toward Christ, but not as he should have been, nor did he yet have a proper regard for Jesus, being still entangled in Jewish misunderstanding. This is why he came by night, because he feared to do so by day. Yet our merciful God did not reject or rebuke him for this, or deprive him of his instruction. Rather, with much kindness Jesus talked with him and disclosed to him rather enigmatically some highly exalted doctrines indeed—nevertheless, Jesus still disclosed them. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 24.1. [3]

[1] Jn 7:51.

[2] Jn 19:39.

[3] NPNF 1 14:84.

NICODEMUS DOES NOT KNOW WHO JESUS TRULY IS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Nicodemus imagines that he can become pious enough to attain salvation merely by marveling at the wonders Jesus had done…. Calling Jesus a teacher from God and a co-worker with him, he does not yet know that Jesus is by nature God, nor does Nicodemus understand the plan of salvation according to the flesh. Instead, he still approaches Jesus as a mere man and has only a slight conception of who he is. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 2.1. [1]

[1] LF 43:167*.