In the Gospel of Matthew, Pilate's wife warns her husband not to harm Jesus and for this she achieved sainthood among Orthodox Christians. Updates? or the need to stream it, you can find it on Amazon. Corrections? They would be placed inside a new tomb that was reserved for the body of the risen Christ. When the officers returned without Jesus, the chief priests and Pharisees demanded, Why have ye not brought him? (v. 45). The Chosen Season 3: What to Expect & How to Watch, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1 & Episode 2: Reaction and Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 3: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 4: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 5: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 6: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episodes 7 & 8: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episodes 1 & 2: Questions to Discuss Before the Premiere, Preparing for The Chosen Season 3: 7 Episodes to Watch, I am the Law of Moses (The Chosen Season 3 Controversy), Little James in The Chosen & Scripture ***Season 3***, Pontius Pilate & his Wife in The Chosen ***Season 3***, Judas in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Matthew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Simon and Andrew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Lilith, Demons, & Evil Spirits in The Chosen, Simon the Zealot & Nathanael in The Chosen, Quintus, Gaius, and the Romans in The Chosen, Episode 8 Guide: The Feeding of the 5,000. In the Catholic Churchs current Roman Martyrology, Nicodemus is honoured on 31 August, on the same day as Saint Joseph of Arimathea. This would be a major sacrifice for them. In 1937, Ernst Pepping wrote an Evangelienmotette (motet on gospel text), titled Jesus und Nikodemus. . Sellers of all possible wares beset the pilgrims, for the great feasts were, as has been said, the harvest time of all trades at Jerusalem. Even if there were more than one member of the Sanhedrin with the name Nicodemus who were both Pharisees and wealthy, how many of them were also believers in Christ? Nicodemus.. . 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. Hopefully these questions will prove helpful as you watch episode 8 of The Chosen with your youth group. A lone voice spoke in Jesuss defense in that hotbed of hatred. . The failure of his character to follow out of his fear of societal disapproval sets up an interesting plot trajectory for his future development. There are two sources of information, Josephus and the Babylonian Talmud (Priority of John, 284). 1. How can we know the Messiah would be God incarnate? If you want to avoid the ads (there's a lot!) Yet rather than discount the faith of Nicodemus as he had done with the many others who believed, Jesus entertained that faith and patiently taught and bore strong personal witness of Himself as the Son of God and of His atoning mission. Jack Zavada is a writer who covers the Bible, theology, and other Christianity topics. Come, follow me." Can you think of some stories about Jesus' interactions with women? He knew he was not alone among members of the Sanhedrin in his belief in Christ. God met the Israelites where they were at and urged them toward a slightly better society.But as God pushed his people forward with the coming of Jesus, we see even greater equity between the sexes. Jesus could then respond, "I know you have many more questions and doubts. The Gospel According to John identifies him as a Pharisee, a leader of the Jews, and a teacher of Israel and portrays him in discussion with the chief priests on Jesus fate. Nicodemus.. It was Caiaphas who gave the Jews this advice. In Season 1, Episode 8, Nicodemus turns down the invitation. With Jesuss public challenge to the Jewish aristocracy in cleansing the temple, with so little known about the man and his intentions, with other messiah figures having come and gone, caution could be seen as a wise approach, especially for a person of position. He never hid his faith in Jesus again. Turning to Photina (the Samaritan Woman at the Well), remind your students: In biblical times, getting remarried multiple times and living with someone you weren't married to were not common practices like they are today. Nicodemus first appears in the Bible in John 3, when he sought out Jesus by night. Despite the evangelical obsession with the Heel-Face Turn, there are actually relatively few stories in the Gospels themselves that follow this pattern. In the first instance, he meets Jesus to converse about the latter's teachings. What do you think Jesus desires for women in these situations? Jesus tells us that some civil laws God gave to his people in the Old Testament were accommodations to their hard and sinful hearts (Matthew 19:1-9). He was also a member of the Sanhedrin, the supreme court in ancient Israel. In his final appearance, Nicodemus aids Joseph of Arimathea, a secret follower of Jesus, in Jesus' burial, at great expense (John 19:38-42). Copyright Like The Master Ministries. Yet Nicodemus spoke. Episode 7 Guide: Did Nicodemus Follow Jesus? In fact, it goes out of its way to highlight their moral failures. [9] Put succinctly, Jesus did not trust the peoples professed belief. The reaction was so predictable that John informs us that those of the Sanhedrin who believed on him did not dare to have it known lest they should be put out of the synagogue (John 12:42). In John 3:1, he is described as a Pharisee. 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. Well discuss his motivations, his relationship with Jesus, and how he died and was buried. {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https://www.missionalmanifesto.net/#person","name":"Akinyemi","sameAs":["https://twitter.com/akinyemiconsult@gmail.com"]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://www.missionalmanifesto.net/#website","url":"https://www.missionalmanifesto.net","name":"Akinyemi","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.missionalmanifesto.net/#person"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.missionalmanifesto.net/what-happened-to-nicodemus-in-the-bible/#webpage","url":"https://www.missionalmanifesto.net/what-happened-to-nicodemus-in-the-bible/","name":"What Happened to Nicodemus in the Bible? This ambiguity is never fully resolved throughout the remainder of the Gospel. In response, both he and Jesus are subjected to mockery. . Adam Zeidan is an Associate Editor, having joined. I was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1981, and grew up in Southwest Ohio by way of Upstate New York. What did you discover about Jesus' heart for women who have their lives disrupted by the coming of his kingdom? The Franciscan Order built a place of worship named Saints Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea Church in Ramla, Israel. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Your email address will not be published. Nicodemus.. At the expense of a little diversion it is worth trying to set out and sort out the evidence. Season 2 Reflection P2: What was The Chosen Season 2 about? . Elliott Nicodemus Neese was born on January 26, 1982, in the United States. . Nicodemus makes three appearances in Scripture, all in the Gospel of John: in the Born Again conversation with Jesus (John 3:1-21), in a debate among the Jewish leaders (John 7:45-52), and at the burial of Jesus (John 19:38-42). They were regarded as enemies by the Sanhedrin. It's a perfect embodiment the evangelical vision of what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus. He received the credits for carving both the Holy Face of Lucca and the Batll Crucifix, apparently with angelic help. You can find episode 8 on YouTube, . He may have pursued an honest though cautious investigation of one who was reputed to possess miraculous powers, possibly the long-awaited Messiah. Nicodemus, a man of great wealth, donated 75 pounds of expensive myrrh and aloes to anoint the Lord's body after his death. Peter's decision to follow Jesus is encouraged strongly by Eden. 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. A character like John the Baptist may have had a more significant role from a historical perspective, but Nicodemus is better known for having the kind of personal encounter with Jesus that The Chosen is interested in. He is also featured prominently in Chapter 19. In the Bible, Nicodemus was an important figure who visited Jesus during the evening, and accompanied him to the cross. Nicodemus was a disciple of Jesus, and believed in his Messiahship. Ancient Roman Men, See the events in life of Nicodemus in Chronological Order, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crijn_Hendricksz.jpeg, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pietro_Perugino_cat39.jpg, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fritz_von_Uhde_-_Christus_und_Nikodemus_(ca.1886).jpg. 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Some laws in the Old Testament might sound unfair to women - and they might not be as fair as some standards we have today. There is no indication in the Bible that Nicodemus met John the Baptist, talked to him, or visited him in jail. What does it look like to sit on the sidelines - of the opposing side - while you watch the Jesus movement take off, knowing that you could have been a part of it? . Nicodemus was a Pharisee who believed in the miracles that Jesus performed. Because evangelicals tend value art primarily as an instrument of evangelism, skeptic conversion side-plots are ubiquitous. He had a wife who had become accustomed to the stable, secure, and beautiful life his position afforded. However, it's important to keep in mind that the Bible does not give us a complete description of the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus (, In the Bible, it isn't completely clear when Nicodemus began to follow Jesus, if he did at all. Learn Religions, Sep. 7, 2021, learnreligions.com/nicodemus-seeker-of-god-701080. Nicodemus may seem like strange choice for a primary POV character in a show about the life of Jesus. [25] David Noel Freedman, ed., The Anchor Bible Dictionary (New York: Doubleday, 1992), s.v. What did you notice about how Jesus interacted with Photina? His reputation was at stake, so he took a step outside his comfort zone by challenging fellow Pharisees. According to the Bible, Jesus was strongly opposed by the Pharisees, a group of Jewish scribes who followed the letter of the law. Meanwhile, Zohara discourages Nicodemus from his spiritual struggle and questioning. He seems to show genuine respect for Jesus' miracles and he has real interest in what Jesus has to say. But what we're going to focus on today is the way Jesus has an impact on women in a variety of different circumstances - in particular, Peter's wife (Eden), Nicodemus' wife (Zohara), and a Samaritan woman that he meets at a well. His noble position is more clearly marked in the Greek version.[23]. [3] Cunningham Geikie, The Life and Words of Christ (New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1891), 1:49596. Several eastern Churches as well the Roman Catholic Church honour Nicodemus as a saint. (John 7:51). When he first sought out Jesus, Nicodemus went at night, so no one would see him. The first time Nicodemus is mentioned, he is identified as a Pharisee who comes to see Jesus at night. [15] It is possible that some of those earlier doctors were among the current chief rulers who these many years later are said to have also believed on himpart of the we to which Nicodemus referred. In The Chosen, Jesus asks Nicodemus to follow him . Any contribution is greatly appreciated! It suggests that he was genuinely committed to the message of Christ, even though he had not publicly professed his faith in Jesus. Then John shows Nicodemus timidly defending Jesus before the Sanhedrin. Nicodemus is mentioned only three times in the Gospel According to John (and nowhere in the Synoptic Gospels). Fear is a powerful influence on Nicodemus character. Either this was the height of blasphemy or He was the Son of God, the Messiah, or a political time bomb. Donations to this ministry aretax-deductible. Eden (Peter's wife) and Zohara (Nicodemus' wife) both have husbands who have been called to follow Jesus. How so? After the Crucifixion, he acted as one of the Holy Myrrhbearers. When Nicodemus found Jesus, the Lord recognized his pressing need. After Jesus crucifixion, Nicodemus assists Joseph of Arimathea in laying Jesus body in a nearby tomb (John 19:3942). 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]. With eighteen months of plotting against Jesus, the conspiracy was an open secret in the streets of Jerusalem. Nicodemus was a religious figure and philosopher from Judea. For more information about how to have eternal life visit Searching For God. Nicodemus, in the Gospel According to John, a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews at the time of Jesus preaching and crucifixion. Nicodemus conversation with Jesus has given way to several common expressions of contemporary American Christianity, including the phrase born again, which is used as an alternative term to baptism by several evangelical denominations. Season 2 Reflection P2: What was The Chosen Season 2 about? Besides cowardice, there are other possible explanations why Nicodemus would seek an audience with Jesus at night. One would expect that the cleansing of the temple was most certainly a topic of discussion among members of the Sanhedrin headquartered in the heart of the temple complex in the Chamber of Hewn Stone.[7]. The next time we encounter Nicodemus, he is trying to convince the Sanhedrin to give Jesus a fair hearing and is accused of sympathizing with him (John 7:45-52). James F. Driscoll considers Nicodemus to be a learned and intelligent believer but apprehensive and not easily convinced by the mysteries of the new faith. . The amount that we know about Nicodemus based on these three episodes is pretty limited, although that actually may serve the purpose of adaptation well, since it leaves plenty of white space for The Chosen to fill in. There was no dearth of self-proclaimed messiahs. Brigham Young University There isn't one.". Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. Much later, after Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter and John followed the arresting party to the palace of the high priest. It is the fear of Rome that causes Nicodemus to abuse his role as an esteemed teacher and serve Roman interests. I have Bible studies/discussion guides for each episode of The Chosen Seasons 1-3, blogs exploring how The Chosen adapts key biblical figures, and articles exploring the controversial nature of adaptation. The Gospel of John mentions only a few facts about Nicodemus, but we do know that he was a Pharisee. To add an RSC website shortcut to your home screen, open the website in the Safari browser. However, based on what we know of Jewish culture, it's almost certain that Nicodemus was married. Part 1, Chapter 4 (second Greek form). One would have thought that under the circumstances, Nicodemus, with his position, learning, and wealth, if his coming were motivated by idle curiosity or timid discipleship, would have ended the conversation at this point. Either the wife believes or the husband believes but not both. In some depictions, such as Filippino Lippis Piet, he is the lone figure bearing the body, flanked by two angels. They denied the evidence of Jesus' deity. Nicodemus helped Joseph of Arimathea take Jesus' body down from the cross and lay it in a tomb, at great risk to his safety and reputation. By having Nicodemus demonstrate that he clearly has faith in Jesus during their secret meeting, it emphasizes how his refusal to follow Jesus in public is due to his fear of man (more on that plot arc below). Nicodemus had a family. This letter is placed in the keeping of his synagogue administrator, Jairus, to give Yussif time to reconsider his words before sending it. 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