This makes these creations examples of acheiropoieta. Frederic W. Farrar refers to Christian tradition when he writes: Tradition says that after the Resurrection . I offer my work for free and rely on the generous support of readers like you. Joseph and Nicodemus were the only two who saw the body of Jesus before it was wrapped, but the women didnt see Nicodemus. . However, some exceptions, like in the cases of Jacob and Joseph, exist. Elder James E. Talmage observed: Apparently [Nicodemus] was impelled by a genuine desire to learn more of the Galilean, whose works could not be ignored; though pride of office and fear of possible suspicion that he had become attached to the new Prophet led him to veil his undertaking with privacy. How do you think it might have related back to the way Jesus treated women? Nicodemus states his reason for seeking an audience with Jesus by referencing the miracles Jesus had performed. It is plain and clear beyond question.[19] For a person in Nicodemuss position, that plain, open declaration by Jesus, if not true, was unmistakable blasphemy and this Galilean was worthy of death by stoning (see Leviticus 24:1116; John 10:3033). Nicodemus is one of the few Pharisees who believed in Jesus. Reflecting on The Chosen Season 3 & Anticipating Season 4: What Worked & What to Fix, The Chosen Season 3: What to Expect & How to Watch, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1 & Episode 2: Reaction and Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 3: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 4: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 5: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 6: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episodes 7 & 8: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episodes 1 & 2: Questions to Discuss Before the Premiere, Preparing for The Chosen Season 3: 7 Episodes to Watch, I am the Law of Moses (The Chosen Season 3 Controversy), Yussif, Jairus, & Shmuel in The Chosen ***Season 3***, Quintus, Gaius, Atticus, and the Romans in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Little James in The Chosen & Scripture ***Season 3***, Pontius Pilate & his Wife in The Chosen ***Season 3***, Judas in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Matthew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Simon and Andrew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Lilith, Demons, & Evil Spirits in The Chosen, Simon the Zealot & Nathanael in The Chosen, Episode 8 Guide: The Feeding of the 5,000. It seems like no accident, then, that the kinds of Jesus stories that The Chosen takes interest in are personal encounters. ","name":"What Happened to Nicodemus in the Bible? He had skipped the previous Passover in the spring. When Nicodemus found Jesus, the Lord recognized his pressing need. Can you think of specific examples of women being treated unfairly in the Old Testament? When appearing with Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus more commonly supports the lower body of Jesus while Joseph supports the upper body. [18] Elder McConkie explains, Our Lord is speaking in the early days of his ministry. These would have been seen as marks of poor character - that's why Photina had to get water in the hot afternoon instead of going early in the morning when it's cool - the other women looked down on her. As such, his character remains largely ambiguous within the biblical canon. Grant Building For more information about how to have eternal life visit Searching For God. But The Chosen must have other reasons taking interest in Nicodemus. The Bible does not mention Nicodemus' wife. Learn Religions. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/nicodemus-38964.php. [7] For a good illustration of the temple complex, see David B. Galbraith, D. Kelly Ogden, and Andrew C. Skinner, Jerusalem: The Eternal City (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1996), 189. Even though the timeline between their relationship remains anonymous, the couple apparently met a while before 2014. I found this to be a very affecting moment. Religious Educator9, no. One of these cantatas, O heilges Geist- und Wasserbad, BWV 165, is the most faithful to the gospel. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted. Answer All that we know of Nicodemus in the Bible is from the Gospel of John. In The Chosen, Nicodemus is played by Erick Avari. https://www.learnreligions.com/nicodemus-seeker-of-god-701080 (accessed March 2, 2023). A year before that, while at Passover, He had healed an invalid on the Sabbath, and therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him (John 5:16). 1. The scriptures are silent about Joseph until the Crucifixion of Christ. Because of the carnival atmosphere in Jerusalem during Passover, it might have been difficult to have any kind of meaningful personal or private conversation with Jesus in the crowded streets or in the din of the temple courtyards. Nicodemus had a Pharisee spirit, but he got saved. At the expense of a little diversion it is worth trying to set out and sort out the evidence. In spite of the loathing the Sanhedrin had for this Galilean and their determination to arrest, condemn, and put Him to death, Nicodemuss defense of Jesus in that setting is characterized by some authors as cautious and as a voice of mild protest. Being a Pharisee himself and a member of that esteemed council, he probably would have been privy to their planning. Jesuss rebuke of Nicodemus in pointing out his ignorance of spiritual things could have received a much different response in other settings or with other members of the Sanhedrin. Now, I like the faith vs. fear arc in Nicodemus' character. Adam Zeidan is an Associate Editor, having joined. Hopefully these questions will prove helpful as you watch episode 8 of The Chosen with your youth group. . Nicodemus is a model of faith and courage for all Christians to follow. when it wouldn't be noticed). Modern evangelical culture has a particularly strong attachment to the idea of a personal relationship with God. All Rights Reserved. The reason for such a reaction becomes clear when one understands the pharisaic reasoning and laws which they themselves had established. Episode 8 returns Season One of The Chosen back to where it began, with a storyline that features female characters in much more prominent roles and explores the effect that Jesus' ministry brought to women in a variety of situations. As a member of the Sanhedrin, who derived their political power from the Roman government, political activists with a messiah complex could only mean trouble both politically and religiously. The Pharisees were a group of Jews who were fastidious in keeping the letter of the Law and often opposed Jesus throughout His ministry. Nicodemus. Robinson points out that there are some interesting parallels in Jewish tradition which indicate that the name Nicodemus was a well-known one in Jerusalem at the time and attached to persons of considerable eminence and affluence. A lone voice spoke in Jesuss defense in that hotbed of hatred. PROUDLY CREATED WITH WIX.COM. In the Gospel of Matthew, Pilate's wife warns her husband not to harm Jesus and for this she achieved sainthood among Orthodox Christians. On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus finally made His appearance. One has to wonder what was happening or what motives were driving this interview, for if Nicodemus were the least bit open to offense, this would have given him ample reason to feel injured. Or he may have been responding to the initial spiritual stirrings of a mighty change of heart. However, Nicodemus became a disciple of Jesus and publicly defended Him in the fourth gospel. Yes, we see Jesus teaching crowds from time to time, but such moments are merely set pieces that provide context for more private interactions. About Ryan Nicodemus. Jesus Teaches Nicodemus: You Must Be Born Again Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The problem would be to locate this one person among the millions in and around Jerusalem. When appearing with Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus more commonly supports the lower body of Jesus while Joseph supports the upper body. Jesus could then respond, "I know you have many more questions and doubts. Therefore, she warned him to have nothing to do with Jesus. If these accounts are true, God used these events to bring her to Jesus and have eternal life. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and the Pharisees, unlike the Sadducees, believed in the resurrection, but were also responsible for a high level of legalism, so Nicodemus was not only a ruler, he was a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the ruling body of the Jews, but why is John the only one who writes about Nicodemus? During first several decades after Jesus' resurrection, Christianity was known as a religion predominantly of women and slaves. . Nicodemus had listened to the Baptist, but he had failed to grasp the deeper significance of what he had heard and apply it to his own life. The Gospel of John also tells us Nicodemus was among the elite leaders in Jerusalem (John 7:45-52) and describes Nicodemus bringing an extremely expensive 75 pounds of spices to Jesus' burial (John 19:39). Thank you! It is in the context of his conversation that one of the most famous biblical passages, John 3:16, occurs: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Some scholars speculate that he was killed for his beliefs, while others say he hid from persecution. By the end of the Gospel of John, Nicodemus appears to have become a disciple, and so it's possible that Jesus did invite Nicodemus to follow him. An opportunity to have that personal conversation with Jesus in or around Jerusalem during Passover would likely have been available only at night especially after the very public cleansing of the temple. The Gospel of John clearly associates Nicodemus with the fear of man. Brandon Potter as Quintus: a Roman magistrate in Capernaum and the Praetor of Galilee. Out of a typically evangelical concern for proclaiming accurate theology, the characters jump to the conclusion that Jesus is divine far too quickly. The Minimalists are American authors, podcasters, filmmakers, and public speakers Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, who promote a minimalist lifestyle. As a result, we're left to wonder whether the teacher will accept Jesus' claims or reject them. For a more detailed analysis of the Josephus and Babylonian Talmud source materials, as well as a number of arguments for and against the thesis that the two are one and the same person, see Robinson, Priority of John, 28487. The officers only recorded response was, Never man spake like this man (v. 46). Nicodemus conversation with Jesus has given way to several common expressions of contemporary American Christianity, including the phrase born again, which is used as an alternative term to baptism by several evangelical denominations. [9] Put succinctly, Jesus did not trust the peoples professed belief. Many a husband and wife today live in this situation. 2, appendix I. Find out here. Your email address will not be published. Jesus calls him by an honorific title, "the Teacher of Israel" (John 3:10). If he be identical with the Nakdmn Ben Gorin of the Talmud, he outlived the fall of Jerusalem, and his family were reduced from wealth to such horrible poverty that, whereas the bridal bed of his daughter had been covered with a dower of 12,000 denarii, she was subsequently seen endeavouring to support life by picking the grains from the ordure of cattle in the streets. She is an invented character, but she represents a perspective that is historically plausible. At Passover time great numbers of Jews camped outside the city proper, but within the limits of a Sabbath days journey.[4]. With that first bold purgation of the Temple a deadly feud between Jesus and the Jewish authorities had begun. In Michelangelo 's sculpture of the entombment, Nicodemus is assisted by the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene, rather than Joseph of Arimathea. In order to understand what was happening when she is mentioned in Scripture here is Matthew 27:15-19. Peter ultimately accepts the call and follows Jesus. He was afraid of what might happen if he spoke to Jesus in broad daylight, where people might report him. After all, he only shows up in one Gospel (John) and only makes a handful of appearances: the well known "Born Again" conversation (, Nicodemus and Mary Magdalene in The Chosen, Jesus and Nicodemus discuss new birth in The Chosen, The Gospel of John says Nicodemus was a "Pharisee" and a "ruler of the Jews" (, Nicodemus makes three appearances in Scripture, all in the Gospel of John: in the Born Again conversation with Jesus (, There is no explicit indication in the Bible that Jesus asked Nicodemus to follow him. Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ? For he knew that because of envy they had delivered Him up. Is there more information on Pontius Pilate's wife, Claudia, besides her dream and the fact that she told Pilate not to sentence Jesus to death? He is saying plainly that men must believe in him; that he is the Son of God, the Promised Messiah, the Only Begotten of the Father, the One of whom Moses and the prophets testified. He knew he was not alone among members of the Sanhedrin in his belief in Christ. His list, though obviously incomplete, contains only one member named Nicodemus. The Pharisees were a group of Jewish people who strictly adhered to the letter of the law. However, it's important to keep in mind that the Bible does not give us a complete description of the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus (, In the Bible, it isn't completely clear when Nicodemus began to follow Jesus, if he did at all. Unfortunately, Apple's iOS doesn't support home screen shortcuts in the Chrome browser. On the other hand, when he has his encounter with Jesus, the questions that he asks aren't intended to trick or catch Jesus like the questions of his peers. During Jesus trial and crucifixion, Nicodemus was one of the leaders of the Jewish religious leaders. Sellers shouted the merits of their beasts, sheep bleated, and oxen lowed. And that's it for our exploration of The Chosen Season 1 with youth! Nicodemus is described in John 3:1 as a Pharisee and a member of the powerful Jewish high council called the Sanhedrin. Nicodemus does not speak to Jesus simply as an individual, but as a leader of his community. In The Chosen, during Season 1 Episode 8 Nicodemus secretly leaves money for Jesus and his disciples instead of choosing to follow Jesus himself. After Jesus crucifixion, Nicodemus assists Joseph of Arimathea in laying Jesus body in a nearby tomb (John 19:3942). He wanted badly to understand, and he sensed that Jesus had the answer. What did you discover about Jesus' heart for women who have had a past filled with shame and regret? Ante-Nicene Fathers. But what we're going to focus on today is the way Jesus has an impact on women in a variety of different circumstances - in particular, Peter's wife (Eden), Nicodemus' wife (Zohara), and a Samaritan woman that he meets at a well. Have you ever been concerned about how women are sometimes treated in the Old Testament? Nicodemus, as a Pharisee, would have been among those who were watching for the promised Messiah. The most elaborate mention of Nicodemus, in chapter 3 of John, maintains that mystical approach. The measure of the man should not be taken when he enters the door but rather when he leaves. He was also a member of the Sanhedrin, the high court in Israel. Among the most influential representations of Nicodemus is that in the apocryphal Acts of Pilate, a 4th/5th-century work that expounds on the sentencing and crucifixion of Jesus. Nicodemus' decision to not follow Jesus would have been even more significant, since it would be a set back in both his struggle against fear and skepticism. The Pharisees had created new law, an oral lawthe portion of the Talmud called the Mishna or second law; it is a law founded on tradition instead of revelation, a law that they esteemed to be of greater worth than the Torah, or law of Moses itself. In the Talmud it appears under the form Nakdmn (Farrar, Life of Christ, 1:197n1). Fear is a powerful influence on Nicodemus character. PROUDLY CREATED WITH WIX.COM. John said this discussion happened at night, probably because Nicodemus had his reputation to protect since Jesus was a controversial figure . He is venerated by the eastern Churches on two different days, the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers (the second Sunday after Easter) and 2 August, the date when, according to traditions, his relics were discovered. We are not given the end of their initial conversation (. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You might have also noticed discussion of how Photina was a Samaritan and how Jews and Samaritans hated each other. Instead of having Nicodemus respond to Jesus' Born Again speech by falling to his knees and confessing his faith, we could have been given a much more ambiguous response, communicated solely through facial expressions or perhaps by having him ask even more questions. Nicodemus is shocked that an unknown man would perform miracles and not want the credit. In the first instance, he meets Jesus to converse about the latter's teachings. When Jesus was crucified, Nicodemus and Joseph were present. Nicodemus would not rest until he found the truth. If we were able to walk the streets of Jerusalem at Passover in Jesuss day, we would see ample reason for any sincere individual to seek a secluded setting in which to have a private, serious conversation: The streets were blocked by the crowds from all parts, who had to make their way to the Temple, past flocks of sheep, and droves of cattle, pressing on in the sunken middle part of each street reserved for them, to prevent contact and defilement. They also hold that he lived the remainder of his life in the home of Gamaliel, another member of the Sanhedrin who otherwise remained in good standing among the Pharisees (Acts of the Apostles 5:3439). The conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus revolves around the concept of "born again" or "born from above". We can conclude that Nicodemus was a highly honored Jewish teacher who also happened to be very rich and very powerful. 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