NICODEMUS IS INTRODUCED

THE REASON FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THE STORY OF NICODEMUS AT THIS POINT

 Three reasons have been given, and in each there is doubtless some truth.

It is almost certain that the full truth lies in a combination of all three.

These reasons are not mutually exclusive.

             lb. This story or incident is merely chronological in tine, In the unfolding of the gospel narrative this incident occurred at this time. This is undoubtedly true. But surely this is not the only reason. So far as events were concerned, the ministry of Christ was crowded with them. It was therefore necessary for John to make a selection of events of which he would write. That he followed this pattern is affirmed by John in chapter 20:30-31.

                     2b. This incident was the most important event at this stage of ministry. That this event was perhaps one of the more important events at this stage is doubtless true. But why is the story introduced just at this point other than chronology and importance? Does the story have some relation_ to the logical unfolding of the ministry of Christ?

                     3b. This incident was more appropriate to the movement of thought John is attempting to convey about the ministry of Christ.

This seems to be the best answer. This does not ignore chronology, nor importance. Utilizing both chronology and importance, it also fits in with the logical unfolding of the ministry of Christ.

            This is suggested by the way the story .is introduced into the text.
            KJV     reads “There was a man of the Pharisees".
            ASV    reads "Now there was a man of the Pharisees"             Greek reads "But there was a man of the Pharisees"

The conjunction "de" marks a continuation of the story, but a contrast in the meaning. This is not the strongest of adversatives, but it marks a contrast.

This conjunction sends us back to chapter two verses 23-25. The crowds at the Passover were interested in Christ because of the glamor of the miracles. They were living on the human and natural level and especially interested in the sensational and spectacular. And even though Nicodemus was also living on the same level, he was essentially different. It was not the mere external and glamorous in which he was interested. He was concerned with deeper things, their meaning and importance. To appreciate this we must make an evaluation of this man next.