The Pharasee Nicodemus

Believe in the Gospel of John; Part 9:

The Pharisee Nicodemus, a Chief Ruler of Israel - Continued:

We’ve studied 7 instances where the Greek word “pisteu’o,” translated “believe” is used in the 1st and 2nd chapters of John. In our last study we started in the third chapter and covered the first part of Jesus’ dialog with Nicodemus, John 3:1 - 101 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

. In review - after Jesus told Nicodemus he must be born from above in order to see the Kingdom of God, John 3:33 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

, Nicodemus asked how that could be, could he enter his mother’s womb to be born again? John 3:44 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

. Jesus responded that he had to be born of the Spirit in order to enter the Kingdom of God; that which is born (or begotten) of the flesh is flesh and that which is born (or begotten) of the Spirit is Spirit; stating that the Spirit blows where it wishes and can be heard but one can’t tell from whence it comes or where it goes; so is everyone born of the Spirit, John 3:5 - 85 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

. To this Nicodemus asked how these things could be? Jesus answered, “... Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?” John 3:9 & 109 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

. To show why Nicodemus should have known these things our last study quoted a number of Old Testament (OT) passages containing God’s promises that He would someday put a new Spirit and heart in Israel, replacing their stony hearts: Ezekiel 11:1919 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

; 18:31; 36:25 - 27; Jeremiah 31:33 & 32:39. Being a master of Israel, Nicodemus was learned in the OT so he should have been aware of these promises and thus the fact he, as an Israelite was a sinner in need of repentance on his part and a new Spirit on God’s part, in order to enter the Kingdom of God.

In today’s study we find Jesus telling Nicodemus that He (Jesus) testified about what He knows and what He has seen, John 3:1111 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

a. To understand Jesus’ point here, we must remember that Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, Hebrews 11:11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

, which is mankind’s side of faith, i.e., responsibility. In other words, it is mankind’s part to believe God’s Word concerning things hoped for and unseen. But Jesus, Who is the Word of God, John 1:11 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

& 21 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

, as well as the Author and Finisher of Faith, Hebrews 12:22 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

, testified about what He knew and what He had seen. Nicodemus was not born of God (from above) so he didn’t receive Jesus’ witness or evidence, John 3:11b, he didn’t have faith in God’s Word. To have faith is to believe and Jesus proceeds to use the word “believe” 7 times in John 3:1212 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

- 2112 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

, the number 7 being the number for Spiritual perfection in God’s Word.

“If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?” John 3:12. The earthly things Jesus told Nicodemus are the facts He just stated in John 3:3 - 83 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

, which we studied in the last Faith Study and recapped above. They are the things He previously revealed to Israel though the OT prophets, for example: “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Ezekiel 36:25 - 2725 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

. Nicodemus didn’t understand these earthly things, so how could he understand things from above, i.e., heavenly things?

Jesus then explains in John 3:1313 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

how He revealed things to Israel before He was born a man and the fact He existed in heaven as well as on earth. He was a man, being born of a woman, but the seed that begot Him was from heaven. Prior to His incarnation He was the Word of God since eternity past. The Word of God was begotten by the Spirit in Mary and became Man, John 1:1, 2 & 14. Thus He existed concurrently on earth as the Word of God, the Son of God as well as well as the Son of Man. I submit that this is the thought of the verse “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.” John 3:13.

Jesus then points to the reason He came to earth by referring to an Old Testament type; Himself being the antitype: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:” John 3:1414 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

. The incident to which Jesus refers is in Numbers 21:1 - 91 And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners.

2 And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.

3 And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.

4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.

5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

. It occurred after God freed Israel from Egypt and they were on their way to inhabit the Promised Land. Upon Israel’s request, God gave them a great victory over Canaanite enemies but as Israel subsequently traveled in the desert they became discouraged “And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the LORD sent fiery (fiery meaning burning or poisonous) serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.” Numbers 21:5 - 95 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

.

We saw in John 3:1 - 10 Jesus explaining the Holy Spirit’s action enabling Israel to enter His Kingdom, that is, they had to be born from above, or of the Spirit. In John 3:14 - 2114 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

He describes man’s part, using the word “believe” 5 times: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:14 - 21.

We observe in the Numbers passage that even though Israel prayed the serpents would be taken away, they were not; they remained and continued to bite people who would die from the bites. However, God provided a way for them to live. All they had to do was believe what Moses said about looking at the brass serpent, and then look at it. If they didn’t believe and look, they would die, just as simple as that. It’s important to note that the life giving, atoning death of Christ was unknown to anyone except the Godhead at the time Jesus spoke these words to Nicodemus, as we know from 1 Corinthians 2:7 & 87 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

. Therefore, the full meaning of the comparison He made between He, the Son of Man, to the serpent Moses raised up, must have been one of the things He subsequently revealed when He opened His Disciples’ understanding after His death, burial and resurrection, just before He ascended into Heaven, Luke 24:45 & 4645 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

. So we don’t know for sure what those following Jesus and listening to what He said to Nicodemus understood about this. We do know that any Israelite who believed Jesus was their Messiah, repented of their sin and was baptized would have been qualified to enter the Kingdom that God was preparing for them.

It was not until later when the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven revealed to the Apostle Paul for our understanding that the serpent’s fiery sting represents the poisonous sin that brings death to all mankind: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:2323 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

. - “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:2323 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

, and: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” . We are saved from eternal separation from God because we believe these things.