Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text highlights Nicodemus, not just as someone who previously visited Jesus secretly, but as someone "one of them"—a member of the ruling council. This subtly reveals his internal struggle, caught between his respect for Jesus and the pressure of his peers, showing how even those on the inside can feel compelled to defend what's right, albeit cautiously.
Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The chief priests and Pharisees are frustrated because their officers haven't arrested Jesus, prompting them to dismiss His followers as ignorant rabble. Nicodemus, a Pharisee himself and someone who had previously approached Jesus cautiously, now speaks up in defense of due process, reminding them of their own law. This intervention causes the council to dismiss him with scorn, ultimately leading to the dissolution of their meeting.
You know those moments when everyone's yelling, and it feels easier to just stay silent? Nicodemus faced that, but chose a different path. Let's see how.
Nicodemus, who had previously approached Jesus secretly at night (John 3:1), steps forward here. He's part of the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin, and they're frustrated that Jesus hasn't been brought before them. The other leaders are dismissive of the officers' honest assessment of Jesus' words, calling them 'seduced' and insulting the crowd for believing in Him.
Despite his earlier timidity, Nicodemus speaks up. The text notes he was 'one of them,' emphasizing he's part of this group, not an outsider.
This shows a profound shift: God can empower even the hesitant to speak truth when the moment demands it. His intervention, though brief, challenges the council's hasty judgment.
The religious leaders were furious, ready to condemn Jesus without a trial. But one man pointed them back to their own sacred rules. What did he remind them of?
Nicodemus doesn't defend Jesus' character directly, but instead appeals to a fundamental principle of Jewish law: fairness in judgment. He asks, 'Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?'
This is a powerful challenge because the leaders were acting in direct opposition to their own statutes. They were condemning Jesus based on hearsay and prejudice, not evidence or a fair hearing.
Nicodemus's question highlights a crucial theological point: God's law isn't just a set of rules for His people, but it embodies His own character of justice and equity. Even in their zeal to oppose Jesus, the leaders were violating the very law they claimed to uphold.
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Understand the original words
Nikodēmos · Greek Proper Noun
A ruler of the Jews and member of the Sanhedrin who approached Jesus privately to inquire about his teaching.
tōrāh · Hebrew Noun
The revealed will and commandments of God, specifically the Pentateuch, which serves as the standard for righteousness, justice, and life for the covenant people of Israel. In a legal context, it refers to the judicial requirements for fair trial and testimony.
krinō · Greek Verb
To exercise judicial authority or render a verdict, often involving the assessment of an action or person against a standard of justice. It implies the responsibility to distinguish between right and wrong.
Nicodemus's intervention highlights the internal conflict within the Sanhedrin and the courage it takes to uphold justice, even partially, in the face of intense opposition and established power structures.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry and Growing Opposition
Jesus' public ministry begins, gaining followers but also attracting significant opposition from the religious establishment, particularly the Pharisees and chief priests.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Nicodemus's Secret Visit to Jesus
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, secretly visits Jesus at night, seeking to understand Jesus' teachings but fearful of revealing his interest openly.
c. AD 27-30
Pharisees' Attempt to Arrest Jesus
The religious authorities, frustrated by Jesus' growing influence and teachings, send temple officers to arrest Him, but they are stunned by Jesus' words and fail to bring Him in.
c. AD 27-30
The Sanhedrin Convenes
Following the officers' failure to arrest Jesus, the chief priests and Pharisees gather, discussing why Jesus has not been brought before them and expressing their disdain for His followers.
c. AD 27-30
Nicodemus Defends Jesus' Right to a Hearing
Nicodemus, a member of the council, speaks up, reminding them of their own law that a person must be heard before being judged, subtly defending Jesus amidst the hostility.
c. AD 27-30
Council's Hostile Reaction to Nicodemus
The other members of the council react with scorn and anger to Nicodemus's intervention, questioning his loyalty and reminding him that no prominent leaders or Pharisees believe in Jesus.
c. AD 27-30
Council Meeting Disperses
The meeting of the council concludes abruptly without further action against Jesus, partly due to Nicodemus's challenge and the council's internal divisions and inability to agree.
This passage introduces Nicodemus's initial, timid encounter with Jesus, highlighting the contrast with his bolder stance in John 7 and showing his growth in conviction.
John 19:39This later event shows Nicodemus boldly bringing expensive spices for Jesus' burial, demonstrating a significant transformation from his earlier hesitation, echoing his newfound courage in John 7.
Deuteronomy 1:16-17Nicodemus's appeal to 'our law' directly quotes and applies this Old Testament principle, emphasizing the need for fair hearing before judgment, which the council was violating.
Luke 10:25-28This passage presents the 'greatest commandment' to love God and neighbor, providing the foundational ethical principle that Nicodemus implicitly invokes when appealing for just treatment, even for Jesus.
Acts 5:33-40This account shows another member of the Sanhedrin, Gamaliel, advising caution and restraint regarding the apostles, mirroring Nicodemus's approach of urging the council to let things unfold before acting rashly.
barnesJohn 7:50: "Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)"
Nicodemus - See John 3:1 . One of them - That is, one of the great council or Sanhedrin. God often places one or more pious men in legislative assemblies to vindicate his honor and his law; and he often gives a man grace on such occasions boldly to defend his cause; to put men upon their proof, and to confound the proud and the domineering. We see in this case, also, that a man, at one time timid and fe…
vincentJohn 7:50: "Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)"
He that came to Him by night (ὁ ἐλθὼν νυκτὸς πρὸς αὐτὸν)The texts vary, either substituting πρότερον, before, for νυκτὸς, by night, or omitting the whole clause, and reading, Nicodemus saith unto them, being one of them.
The text highlights Nicodemus, not just as someone who previously visited Jesus secretly, but as someone "one of them"—a member of the ruling council. This subtly reveals his internal struggle, caught between his respect for Jesus and the pressure of his peers, showing how even those on the inside can feel compelled to defend what's right, albeit cautiously.
The chief priests and Pharisees are frustrated because their officers haven't arrested Jesus, prompting them to dismiss His followers as ignorant rabble. Nicodemus, a Pharisee himself and someone who had previously approached Jesus cautiously, now speaks up in defense of due process, reminding them of their own law. This intervention causes the council to dismiss him with scorn, ultimately leading to the dissolution of their meeting.
The chief priests and Pharisees are frustrated because their officers haven't arrested Jesus, prompting them to dismiss His followers as ignorant rabble. Nicodemus, a Pharisee himself and someone who had previously approached Jesus cautiously, now speaks up in defense of due process, reminding them of their own law. This intervention causes the council to dismiss him with scorn, ultimately leading to the dissolution of their meeting.
"Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?”" — The text highlights Nicodemus, not just as someone who previously visited Jesus secretly, but as someone "one of them"—a member of the ruling council. This subtly reveals his internal struggle, caugh…
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Last reviewed October 2026