Jesus Discourse with Nicodemus

Nicodemus Comes to Jesus (John 3:1-2)

Nicodemus: (Have someone read John 3:1)

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

1.      Who was Nicodemus? 

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews, a member of the Sanhedrin, in the highest Jewish council.

Nicodemus comes to Jesus: (Have someone read John 3:2)

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.”

2.      Why did Nicodemus come to Jesus at night?

The passages do not explicitly say why, but it is inferred he came alone at night privately reflecting his fear of public opinion, or a desire for a private spiritual conversation.

3.      What did Nicodemus call Jesus when he first spoke to him?

He called Jesus “Rabbi,” showing respect as a teacher.

4.      Why did Nicodemus believe Jesus came from God?

Because Jesus performed miraculous signs.  John consistently used the word “signs” in place of the word “miracles.”

You Must Be Born Again (John 3:3-7)

How to see the kingdom of God: (Have someone read John 3:3)

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

5.      Why did Jesus say a person must do to see the kingdom of God?

A person must be born again.

6.     What does it mean to be “born again?”

Jesus states no one can see the kingdom of God unless thy are born again.  This is a complete renewal of the heart, mind, and soul brought out by the Holy Spirit.  The new birth marks the beginning of a true spiritual life.  The kingdom of God, Jesus is referring to, is heaven, which is so pure and holy that no one can be part of it without undergoing a spiritual transformation to be born again.    Jesus strongly affirms and stresses that this change is essential and non-optional.

Nicodemus misunderstanding: (Have someone read John 3:4)

Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

7.      How did Nicodemus misunderstand Jesus’ statement about being born again?

Nicodemus thought Jesus meant a physical second birth.

Born of water and the Spirit: (Have someone read John 3:5)

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

8.     What did Jesus mean by being “born of water and the Spirit?”

Together with “water and Spirit,” it demonstrates both the outward sign of baptism and the inner reality of spiritual transformation. Acts 2:38[1] connects repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Spirit.

Contrast between flesh and Spirit: (Have someone read John 3:6-7)

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

9.     What contrast did Jesus bake between flesh and Spirit?

Flesh gives birth to flesh, but Spirit gives birth to spirit.  Being born of the flesh is insufficient; divine work from the Holy Spirit is required to awaken the spiritual aspect of human life.

Nicodemus’ Confusion (John 3:8-13)

Jesus Illustrates the Holy Spirit: (Have someone read John 3:8-9)

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”

10. How does Jesus illustrate the work of the Spirit?

Jesus compared the Spirit to the wind, which is heard but not fully understood or controlled.  Spirit’s work cannot be seen nor fully understood, but you can clearly observe the effects of someone who has been transformed through a new birth.

Nicodemus is still struggling: (Have someone read John 3:10)

Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?

11. Why is Nicodemus held accountable as “the teacher of Israel?”

Because Jesus is surprised Nicodemus is does not understand these things.

Heavily things: (Have someone read: John 3:11-13)

Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.

12. What did Jesus say about speaking of heavily things?

Jesus, the Son of man, was then bodily on earth conversing with Nicodemus; yet he declares that he is "at the same time" in heaven. This can be understood only as referring to the fact that he had two natures: his "divine nature" was in heaven, and his "human nature" was on earth. Our Savior is frequently spoken of in this manner.  Since Jesus was "in" heaven - as his proper abode was there - he was fitted to speak of heavenly things, and to declare the will of God to man.

The Bronze Serpent and Jesus (John 3:14-15)

The Bronze Serpent (Have someone read John 3:14-15)

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

13. To what Old testament event did Jesus compare His coming crucifixion?

Moses lifting up the bronze serpent in the wilderness for healing. (Numbers 21:8-9)

14. Why would the Son of Man be “lifted up?”

So that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.

God’s Love for the World (John 3:16-18)

God’s Love: (Have someone read John 3:16-18)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

15. What does John 3:16 reveal about God’s love?

God love the world so much that He gave His only Son for humanity’s salvation.

16. Who can receive eternal life according to John 3:16

Whoever believes in Him.

17. Did Jesus come into the world to condemn the world?

No.  He came so the world might be saved through him.

18.What happens to those who do not believe in Jesus?

They stand condemned already because they have not believed in God’s Son.

Light Versus Darkness (John 3:19-21)

People that love darkness: (Have someone read John 3:19)

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

19. Why do people love the darkness instead of light?

Because their deeds are evil.

People that avoid the light: (Have someone read John 3:20)

For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

20. Why do some people avoid coming into the light?

They fear the evil deeds will be exposed

People that come to the light: (Have someone read John 3:21)

But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

21. What characterizes those who come into the light?

They live by the truth and show that their actions are done through God.  People must respond to the light by their faith.

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[1] Radmacher, Earl D., et al. NKJV Study Bible. Thomas Nelson, 2018, p. 1623.

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