John 3: Did Nicodemus Become a Christian? (3 of 3)
As we have seen, Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews who came to Jesus by night because he thought he was “a teacher come from God,” i.e. “a prophet.” But did Nicodemus become a follower of Jesus, i.e., in our words, “a Christian?”
There are several hints in the Fourth Gospel, In chapter 19 we read that Nicodemus joins with Joseph of Arimathea to bury the body of the crucified one.
37 And again another scripture says, “They shall look on him whom they have pierced.” 38 After this Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him leave. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who had at first come to him by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds’ weight. 40 They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb where no one had ever been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
It is tempting to say that Nicodemus did indeed become a follower of Jesus. However, there is no record in the New Testament itself that he was a witness to the Risen Christ, nor is his name mentioned as a disciple.
There are several texts that mitigate against the idea that Nicodemus became a Christian, including the conversation of John 3.
Therein, Jesus tells Nicodemus that one cannot see the kingdom of God unless he be born “anothen,” from above. Though it is an anachronism, Jesus connects this new birth with “the water and the Spirit” of Christian Baptism. Then, the final word that Jesus addresses directly to Nicodcemus is found in verses 10-12:
“10 Are you a teacher of Isreal, and yet you do not understand this? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you of earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”
Obviously, Jesus’ instruction to Nicodemus can be thought of as a universal teaching, that applies with equal validity to all those who have heard Jesus’ teaching (and the preaching of the church) yet refuse to believe in him. However it also rings of the purely personal. Did Nicodemus overcome his initial failure to understand Jesus’ teaching about earthly things and learn of heavenly things? Or was he finally numbered among those about whom it could be said:
42 Nevertheless many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
The Fourth Gospel is purposefully silent on the point of Nicodemus’ discipleship. Did his discipleship destroy the secrecy, as evidenced by his name and story appearing in the gospel—which many would consider strong evidence indeed; or did the secrecy ultimately destroy his discipleship?
An article in Wikipedia says that:
Christian tradition asserts that Nicodemus was martyred sometime in the first century. Nicodemus is venerated as a Saint by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. Roman Catholics celebrate his memorial on August 3. The Franciscan Order erected a Church carrying his name and the name of St. Joseph of Arimathea in Ramla. The Orthodox Church celebrates him on the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers, a variable date falling always on the third Sunday of Pascha (Easter) and also on August 2, the date when sacred tradition states that his relics were found, along with those of the Apostle and Protomartyr Stephen and Gamaliel.
These facts are by no means undisputed. As to the gospel itself, suffice it say that the author of the Fourth Gospel did not intend to give us definitive proof of Nicodemus’ discipleship or rejection of same. Historically, he stands for those Pharisees and Rulers of Israel who found themselves with the choice of accepting Jesus as the Messiah or of continuing to wait for another. Today, he stands for anyone who is confronted with the gospel of Christ. Nicodemus is important, not just as an individual; but as a type.