Have my posts about Bible adaptation helped you learn more about the Bible and explore it with your ministry or family? But Jesus wasn't like most rabbis. I realize asking these questions might feel like opening up a can of worms. Therefore, she warned him to have nothing to do with Jesus. In the Bible, it isn't completely clear when Nicodemus began to follow Jesus, if he did at all. The truth is that these carvings were created at least a thousand years after Nicodemus life. In his final appearance, Nicodemus aids Joseph of Arimathea, a secret follower of Jesus, in Jesus' burial, at great expense (John 19:38-42). What did you discover about Jesus' heart for women who have had a past filled with shame and regret? In the same conversation Nicodemus seeks to understand how a person might be born again after having left a mothers womb. Nicodemus was a religious figure and philosopher from Judea. Sidney R. Sandstrom, "Nocodemus: Coward or Convert?" Thank you! If any one quarrels with his rabbi, it is as if he contended with the living God. Nicodemus is one of the few in-betweeners present in the Gospels. Nicodemus has not been identified with any known historical figure, in part because of the lack of information regarding his identity in the Gospel According to John. Zavada, Jack. . . These would have been seen as marks of poor character - that's why Photina had to get water in the hot afternoon instead of going early in the morning when it's cool - the other women looked down on her. Elder Bruce R. McConkie sets the scene: Our Lord has driven from the Temple Court the sacrificial animals, probably numbering in the thousands; has used a scourge of small cords upon the carnal men who made merchandise in his Fathers House; and has extended his own arm of healing to bless and cure manyand all Jerusalem is aware of the miracles he has done.[2]. While in Jerusalem he chased the moneychangers from the temple and overturned their tables. How so? He was afraid of what might happen if he spoke to Jesus in broad daylight, where people might report him. Although they had nothing to gain by being associated with him, they still had everything to lose. The name of Nicodemus is mentioned in the Talmud also; and, although it was known that his attachment to Christ was great, he is, nevertheless, spoken of with honor. Furthermore, John 3:16 has become a frequently-quoted verse in relation to Gods plan of salvation. Learn Religions, Sep. 7, 2021, learnreligions.com/nicodemus-seeker-of-god-701080. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Pontius Pilate's wife appears in only one passage in the Bible, which is Matthew 27:19. Brigham Young University John allocates over half of Chapter Three and several verses of Chapter Seven to Nicodemus. Eden (Peter's wife) and Zohara (Nicodemus' wife) both have husbands who have been called to follow Jesus. Donations to this ministry aretax-deductible. Grant Building We know from John 3 that Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a member of the Jewish ruling council, who came to Jesus at night with a question. Thus the dialogue between Nicodemus and Jesus begins with, 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 (John 3:2). Nicodemus needed to clarify certain truths that applied to his life and circumstances. He may have pursued an honest though cautious investigation of one who was reputed to possess miraculous powers, possibly the long-awaited Messiah. Instead, Elliott took to fishing and had already begun angling by the age of 12. Frederic W. Farrar refers to Christian tradition when he writes: Tradition says that after the Resurrection . [26] The question arises as to whether the biblical and Talmudic figures could be the same individual. [14] We know from Walter M. Chandlers research that some of the members of the Sanhedrin served many years. Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ? For he knew that because of envy they had delivered Him up. It seems like no accident, then, that the kinds of Jesus stories that The Chosen takes interest in are personal encounters. It intends for us to see these broken relationships as a consequence of the Fall. I was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1981, and grew up in Southwest Ohio by way of Upstate New York. Our theologians have answers to all your bible questions. When we are born again, as Nicodemus was, we should never forget that we have forgiveness of our sins and eternal life because of Christ's sacrifice for us. It was Caiaphas who gave the Jews this advice. How would you describe the way that Jesus treated women? or the need to stream it, you can find it. Typically the Bible only mentions figures who play a role in the narrative or who were well-known among the followers of Jesus. We see this especially in the veiled threat that Shmuel makes toward the end of season 1. Two and one-half years after Nicodemuss visit, Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. If Farrar and McConkie are correct in their assessment that it is not just possible but rather extremely probable that the Nicodemus of the Bible and the Nicodemus ben Gorion of the Talmud are the same individual, then the story of Nicodemus is one of the most dramatic stories of conversion and sacrifice in scripture. This is even true when the men are major biblical characters like Abraham or Jacob. Season 2 Reflection P2: What was The Chosen Season 2 about? When Genesis depicts unhealthy and unfair relationships between men and women, it's not saying that's okay. Why do you think Photina sometimes responded a little harshly to Jesus? Instead of having Nicodemus respond to Jesus' Born Again speech by falling to his knees and confessing his faith, we could have been given a much more ambiguous response, communicated solely through facial expressions or perhaps by having him ask even more questions. Nicodemus, as a Pharisee, would have been among those who were watching for the promised Messiah. When Jesus was crucified, Nicodemus and Joseph were present. He is saying plainly that men must believe in him; that he is the Son of God, the Promised Messiah, the Only Begotten of the Father, the One of whom Moses and the prophets testified. The conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus revolves around the concept of "born again" or "born from above". It's good to keep in mind that Eden has met Jesus, whereas Zohara apparently hasn't even heard about him - it doesn't seem like Nicodemus ever told her about his "born again" conversation in the previous episode. The first-person plural implies that Nicodemuss community shares in his positive acknowledgment of Jesus.[13] As noted, among the chief rulers also many believed on him (John 12:42). Nicodemus knew from personal experience what the officers meant when they said that never man spake like this man. On that night years earlier, Jesus had used phrases like I say unto thee, we speak, we know, we testify, I tell you, and we have seen. His authority derived not from quoting others but originated from Himself. It would seem that Nicodemus, if his visit was indeed an act of cowardice, was nevertheless the bravest of his associates. John continues, Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught (v. 14). Eighteen years earlier, Jesus, then twelve years of age, was also in the temple. As part of the Talmudic evidence, Robinson recounts the story of Nakdimon ben Gurions purported miracle. The first time Nicodemus is mentioned, he is identified as a Pharisee who comes to see Jesus at night. Elliott was well versed in Pot Fishing by 19 and was better than your average . Brandon Potter as Quintus: a Roman magistrate in Capernaum and the Praetor of Galilee. After all, they reasoned, Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? (v. 48). Nicodemus proved his love for the Lord Jesus Christ by giving up all the advantages of being a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin. Because John was known unto the high priest, he seemed to have little trouble gaining access to the palace (see John 18:1516). We must accord him credit for sincerity and honesty of purpose. The doctrine is strong. How did he treat them? On more than one occasion, he expresses theological questions and doubts, only to get batted down by his wife, who reminds Nicodemus of the potentially negative social ramifications if someone else heard him talking that way. Nicodemus, like other seekers, had a deep feeling that there must be something more to life, a great truth to be discovered. When the officers returned without Jesus, the chief priests and Pharisees demanded, Why have ye not brought him? (v. 45). Peter doesn't even make his triumphant confession that Jesus is the Messiah until a significant way into each Gospel. In Season 1, Episode 8, Nicodemus turns down the invitation. Kirk B.R. There are two sources of information, Josephus and the Babylonian Talmud (Priority of John, 284). In order to understand what was happening when she is mentioned in Scripture here is Matthew 27:15-19. In The Chosen, during Season 1, Episode 7, Jesus invites Nicodemus to follow him. You may want to supplement with your own knowledge of first century Jewish and Roman culture, but keep in mind that the episode itself will provide plenty of concrete snapshots of the life of women in Jesus' day. Either this was the height of blasphemy or He was the Son of God, the Messiah, or a political time bomb. Gamaliel mentions just two, Theudas and Judas of Galilee, who had gathered followers with claims of messiahship, only to be killed and have their movements fade away (see Acts 5:3440). I found this to be a very affecting moment. In that chapter Nicodemus comes in the secrecy of the night to learn from Jesus, whom he professes as a teacher sent by God. Narrative Ambiguity & Charitable Reading, The Chosen: 6 Good Friday & Easter Episodes, The Rings of Power, LOTR, and Bible Adaptation, Amazon Prime's The Rings of Power & The Challenges of Biblical Adaptation, In Defense of The Chosen and Other Christian Movies, Books, & Media (Part 1), In Defense of The Chosen and Other Christian Movies, Books, & Media (Part 2), Imagining Mary Magdalene (5 More Bible Adaptations While You Wait for The Chosen Season 2), Yussif, Jairus, & Shmuel in The Chosen (Adapting Biblical Characters), Reflecting on The Chosen Season 3 & Anticipating Season 4: What Worked & What to Fix, Ears to Hear (Exploring The Chosen Season 3 Episode 7 with Youth or Small Group), The Chosen Season 3 Episode 7 & Episode 8: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Feeding of the 5,000 (Exploring The Chosen Season 3 Episode 8 with Youth or Small Group), Pontius Pilate & His Wife in The Chosen (Adapting Biblical Characters), Intensity in Tent City (Exploring The Chosen Season 3 Episode 6 with Youth or Small Group), Clean Part 2 (Exploring The Chosen Season 3 Episode 5 with Youth or Small Group), Clean Part 1 (Exploring The Chosen Season 3 Episode 4 with Youth or Small Group), Physician, Heal Thyself (Exploring The Chosen Season 3 Episode 3 with Youth or Small Group), Two by Two (Exploring The Chosen Season 3 Episode 2 with Youth or Small Group), Little James in The Chosen & Scripture (Adapting Biblical Characters), Homecoming (Exploring The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1 with Youth or Small Group), 2022 BY THE BIBLE ARTIST. Jesus calls him by an honorific title, "the Teacher of Israel" (John 3:10). The Gospel of John does not describe how their conversation ended. To begin your discussion, ask your youth: What did you think of the episode? During what years was Pontius Pilate governor of Judea. Most likely, Nicodemus came by night, not out of fear, but to avoid the crowds that would have interrupted his interview with Jesus. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. It suggests that he was genuinely committed to the message of Christ, even though he had not publicly professed his faith in Jesus. In medieval paintings revolving around the Deposition, he prominently appears alongside Joseph of Arimathea, bringing the dead Christ down from the cross, often with the help of a ladder. John gives us the account of Nathanael when he asks Philip, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? He is invited to Come and see. Then based on Jesus miraculous description of Nathanael praying, he bears witness, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel (John 1:4649)thus a skeptic becomes a disciple and perhaps even an Apostle. This led the scholars to believe that Nicodemus was likely a wealthy man. We are not given the end of their initial conversation (. This group of Jews influenced the early church and were critical of Jesus ministry. [9] Put succinctly, Jesus did not trust the peoples professed belief. Either the wife believes or the husband believes but not both. Though common at the time, the name Nicodemus is not held by anyone else in the New Testament. Can you think of specific examples of women being treated unfairly in the Old Testament? Yet Nicodemus spoke. The traditional Roman Catholic liturgical calendar dates the discovery of his relics on 3 August. You can find episode 8 on YouTube here. At this Feast of Tabernacles the scriptures next mention Nicodemus as he sits in this meeting of the Sanhedrin. Peter ultimately accepts the call and follows Jesus. How do you think it might have related back to the way Jesus treated women? In the crowded Passover confusion, and following a very public clearing of the temple, Nicodemus would have been faced with the problem of arranging a meeting with this Galilean at a time and place favorable for his purposes. Where in the Bible Does it Talk About Nicodemus, Where Is Nicodemus Mentioned in the Bible, What Does Transgression Mean in the Bible, Who Wrote the Book of Proverbs in the Bible, What Does the Bible Say About Seasons in Your Life, Who Was the Longest Living Person in the Bible, Can You Read the Bible in Chronological Order, Where in the Bible Talks About Lucifer Being an Angel, How Many Wives Did Solomon Have in the Bible. . It will be remembered that blasphemy was the very charge the Sanhedrin would use three years later to justify Christs death (see Matthew 26:6368; Mark 14:6165; Luke 22:6671; John 19:7). He received the credits for carving both the Holy Face of Lucca and the Batll Crucifix, apparently with angelic help. His burial cloths would have been made of linen clothes, which are sometimes referred to as sindon in Greek. Your email address will not be published. Episode 8 Guide: The Woman at the Well, Eden, & Zohara, Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers, The Chosen Season 2 Controversy (Jesus, the Bible, & the Process of Inspiration), Should Nicodemus Kneel? Nicodemus, whose name means "innocent of blood," stood up for Jesus when the Pharisees were conspiring against him: Nicodemus was intelligent and inquiring. The failure of his character to follow out of his fear of societal disapproval sets up an interesting plot trajectory for his future development. If so, the interview may well have taken place in the guest chamber on the roof, which would have been accessible via outside stairs.[5] If Elder McConkie is correct, it may have been fairly easy for an official with standing and influence in Jerusalem like Nicodemus to find Jesus, who was staying with an apparently well-known and well-connected John. Of course, the most significant moment we see fear at play is in Nicodemus' decision to not accept Jesus' invitation to follow him. As a member of the Sanhedrin, who derived their political power from the Roman government, political activists with a messiah complex could only mean trouble both politically and religiously. There are no mentions of Nicodemus in Scripture outside of the Gospel of John. . [17] Chandler, Trial of Jesus from a Lawyers Standpoint, 2:316. Have my posts about Bible adaptation helped you learn more about the Bible and explore it with your ministry or family?