John 3:1

John 3:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
• New International Version (NIV)Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
• New King James Version (NKJV)There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

Context of John 3:1

Now there was a certain man among the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler (member of the Sanhedrin) among the Jews, 2who came to Jesus at night and said to Him, “Rabbi (Teacher), we know [without any doubt] that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs [these wonders, these attesting miracles] that You do unless God is with him.” 3Jesus answered him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.”

John 3:1 word by word

Ἦν δὲ ἄνθρωπος ἐκ τῶν Φαρισαίων, Νικόδημος ὄνομα αὐτῷ, ἄρχων τῶν Ἰουδαίων.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• There wasεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• ·δέde · thenG1161
• a manἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
• ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• the PhariseesΦαρισαῖοςPharisaios · PhariseeG5330
• namedὄνομαonoma · nameG3686
• NicodemusΝικόδημοςNikodēmos · NicodemusG3530
• ·αὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• a rulerἄρχωνarchōn · rulerG758
• of the JewsἸουδαῖοςIoudaios · JewG2453

Cross-references for John 3:1

• John 3:10Jesus replied, “You are the [great and well-known] teacher of Israel, and yet you do not know nor understand these things [from Scripture]?
• John 7:47Then the Pharisees said to them, “Have you also been deluded and swept off your feet?

Commentaries on John 3:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews - One of the members of the grand Sanhedrin; for such were ordinarily styled rulers among the Jews. A person of the name of Nicodemus, the son of Gorion, is mentioned in the Jewish writings, who lived in the time of Vespasian, and was reputed to be so rich that he could support all the inhabitants of Jerusalem for ten years. But this is said in their usual extravagant mode of talking.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1A man of the Pharisees - A Pharisee. See the notes at Matthew 3:7. Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews - One of the “Sanhedrin,” or great council of the nation. He is twice mentioned after this as being friendly to our Saviour; in the first instance as advocating his cause, and defending him against the unjust suspicion of the Jews John 7:50, and in the second instance as one who came to aid in embalming his body, John 19:39. It will be recollected that the…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Christ's discourse with Nicodemus. (1-21) The baptism of John of Christ John's testimony. (22-36) Verses 1-8 Nicodemus was afraid, or ashamed to be seen with Christ, therefore came in the night. When religion is out of fashion, there are many Nicodemites. But though he came by night, Jesus bid him welcome, and hereby taught us to encourage good beginnings, although weak. And though now he came by night, yet afterward he owned Christ publicly. He did not…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1John connects 2:25 and 3:1 by using the same Greek word (anthrōpos) to refer to all of humanity and then to a specific man (Nicodemus). Nicodemus had deep religious knowledge. He had also seen what Jesus was doing in Jerusalem (2:13–24). But he had not yet experienced spiritual rebirth (a new life that comes from God). A Pharisee: See study note on 1:24. The Pharisees were a Jewish group who were careful to obey the law of Moses and their religious…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-211-2. Nicodemus--In this member of the Sanhedrim sincerity and timidity are seen struggling together.Read the comment

Topics related to John 3:1

• Cowardice
• Jesus, the Christ
• Nicodemus
• Pharisees

In the dictionaries

• Born
• Condemn
• Condemnation
• Darkness
• Decrease
• Increase
• Love
• Nicodemus
• Testify
• Truth

Commentaries on John 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings