This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Nicodemus’s polite "Rabbi, we know..." is not just a humble greeting; it’s a strategic setup. He's acknowledging Jesus’s teaching authority and God’s backing based on the miracles, but carefully limiting the scope to "teacher" and "God is with him," rather than fully embracing Jesus's identity.
This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a Jewish ruler, approaches Jesus privately at night, acknowledging Jesus as a teacher sent by God based on the miracles He performs. This encounter occurs shortly after Jesus cleansed the Temple and demonstrated His authority, leading many to believe in Him based on His signs, though their faith was superficial. Nicodemus's nighttime visit suggests a mix of genuine curiosity and caution due to his prominent position within the Jewish leadership, which was becoming increasingly hostile to Jesus.
Nicodemus, a respected leader, comes to Jesus under the cover of darkness. What does this tell us about fear, conviction, and the courage it takes to seek truth?
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a ruler, held a position of respect and influence.
The Weight of Reputation
Fear or Prudence?
Nicodemus acknowledges Jesus' divine authority based on His 'signs.' What does this reveal about how people perceived Jesus, and the limitations of faith based solely on external evidence?
Ask a follow-up
Nicodemus's greeting is carefully chosen: "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God."
The Basis of Belief
The Gaps in Recognition
Understand the original words
rhabbi · Hebrew/Greek Noun
A title for a teacher or master of the Jewish Law, recognized for their expertise in interpreting Scripture and guiding the religious life of the people.
sēmeion · Greek Noun
Miraculous acts or symbolic deeds performed by Jesus that serve as evidence of His divine authority, character, and identity as the Messiah. They are intended to point beyond themselves to the nature of God's work.
Nicodemus's late-night visit highlights the tension between genuine conviction and the social/political pressures faced by religious leaders in Judea during Jesus' ministry, revealing a cautious faith grappling with the implications of Jesus' identity.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry in Judea
Jesus begins His public ministry in Judea, teaching and performing miracles, drawing attention from various groups, including religious leaders in Jerusalem.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Jesus drives out money changers and merchants from the Temple in Jerusalem, asserting His authority and causing a stir among the religious establishment.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Miracles in Jerusalem
Jesus performs signs and wonders in Jerusalem, convincing many people to believe in Him, though Jesus did not entrust Himself to them.
c. AD 27-30
Nicodemus Seeks Jesus Privately
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews, visits Jesus under the cover of night, acknowledging Jesus' divine authority based on His signs but hesitant to openly associate with Him.
Nathanael’s initial, though less certain, recognition of Jesus as the 'King of Israel' and 'Son of God' based on Jesus’ supernatural knowledge parallels Nicodemus’ conclusion that Jesus is a teacher from God because of his signs.
John 9:16The Pharisees’ debate about Jesus’ identity after he heals the man born blind mirrors Nicodemus’ struggle: they argue whether he can be from God because he heals on the Sabbath, highlighting how outward signs lead to internal questions.
John 12:42-43This passage explicitly mentions other rulers who believed in Jesus but hid it 'because of the Pharisees,' directly explaining Nicodemus’ caution in coming to Jesus by night and his fear of social reprisal.
Acts 2:22Peter’s sermon declares that Jesus 'was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him,' echoing Nicodemus’ reasoning that Jesus’ signs were proof of divine authentication.
ellicottJohn 3:2: "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."
(2) By night. —This has impressed itself upon the writer’s mind, so that it becomes part of the description of Nicodemus in John 19:39 , and in some MSS. in John 7:50 . We have to think of him as having heard the answer of the messengers sent to the Baptist ( John 1:20 et seq. ) , as present at the cleansi…
calvinJohn 3:1-6: "There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:"
- Now there was a man of the Pharisees, called Nicodemus, a ruler among the Jews. 2. He came to Jesus by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God, for no man can do these signs which thou doest, unless God be with him. 3. Jesus answered and said to him, Verily, verily, I say to thee, Unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4. Nicodemus saith to him, Ho…
Nicodemus’s polite "Rabbi, we know..." is not just a humble greeting; it’s a strategic setup. He's acknowledging Jesus’s teaching authority and God’s backing based on the miracles, but carefully limiting the scope to "teacher" and "God is with him," rather than fully embracing Jesus's identity.
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a Jewish ruler, approaches Jesus privately at night, acknowledging Jesus as a teacher sent by God based on the miracles He performs. This encounter occurs shortly after Jesus cleansed the Temple and demonstrated His authority, leading many to believe in Him based on His signs, though their faith was superficial. Nicodemus's nighttime visit suggests a mix of genuine curiosity and caution due to his prominent position within the Jewish leadership, which was becoming increasingly hostile to Jesus.
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a Jewish ruler, approaches Jesus privately at night, acknowledging Jesus as a teacher sent by God based on the miracles He performs. This encounter occurs shortly after Jesus cleansed the Temple and demonstrated His authority, leading many to believe in Him based on His signs, though their faith was superficial. Nicodemus's nighttime visit suggests a mix of genuine curiosity and caution due to his prominent position within the Jewish leadership, which was becoming increasingly hostile to Jesus.
"This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”" — Nicodemus’s polite "Rabbi, we know..." is not just a humble greeting; it’s a strategic setup. He's acknowledging Jesus’s teaching authority and God’s backing based on the miracles, but carefully limi…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026