Bible Commentaries
John 3

Verses 1-36

Nicodemus would seem to have been one of the finest products of Judaism. He was thoroughly sincere. Moreover, he was determined to investigate for himself, and so came to Jesus by night, not because he was cowardly, but because he sought a lonely and personal interview. This was the man to whom our Lord revealed the necessity for the new birth. When the statement created difficulty in the mind of Nicodemus, our Lord revealed to him the fact and necessity for the Cross. Whether Nicodemus understood Him it is impossible to say. The ultimate in his story shows that he became a dis ciple.

The whole history of John the Baptist is characterized by a rugged splendor, but nowhere does his greatness stand out more conspicuously than in the scene recorded here. There was no touch of jealousy, no latent sorrow in his heart as he said, "This my joy therefore is fulfilled; He must increase, but I must decrease." John the evangelist comments on this attitude, showing how reasonable and right was this position. The speech from heaven must, of necessity, be above all other. That witnesses to certainties, not to speculations.