Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 3:1-2

"Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came unto him by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that thou doest, except God be with him." — John 3:1-2 (ASV)

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, 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.

When inquirers come to see any of you who are Christians, do not begin talking to them, but let them begin by telling you what they have to say, for it will probably guide you as to what you should say to them in return. Our Lord Jesus could read all hearts, and he needed no one to tell him what was there, yet, for our sakes, he sets the example of letting Nicodemus speak first.

This man was a Pharisee, and consequently was inclined to attach too much importance to the outward part of religion, so observe how the Savior deals with him by dwelling on the inner part of it—upon the necessity of the new birth. He has less to say to him about believing, and more about experimental godliness, and the work of the Holy Spirit in his heart. Our main business, in dealing with people's souls, is not to teach them what they want to know but what they really need to know, always bringing forward that truth which, if it is not the most palatable, will be the most profitable to them.

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night,

He could not have come at a better time; the business of the day was over, and all was quiet.

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night,

Perhaps he was very busy during the day. It is better to come to Jesus at night than not to come to him at all. All hours are convenient to Christ; you may come to him when you are at home tonight. When everybody else is asleep, Jesus is still awake.

In all probability, however, Nicodemus did not wish to commit himself by coming to Christ by day. He had not yet tried and tested him, so he would not be thought to be Christ's follower until he had first had a quiet private talk with him. As a ruler of the Jews, he was wise in acting so discreetly.

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, 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.

Nicodemus was very candid; he went as far as he could go. If he had not yet learned to believe in Christ as his Saviour, he did at least admit that Christ, upon the evidence of his miracles, was "a teacher come from God." There is always hope of a man who is willing to see all that he can, and who acknowledges what he can see. He will see "greater things than these" if he is willing to use his eyes.

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night,

We do not know the names of many other Pharisees, but we do know the name of this one because God had loved him with an everlasting love, and therefore with lovingkindness did he draw him to the Savior's feet. The same came to Jesus by night. Possibly, he was too busy to come during the day. Anyhow, it was better to come to Jesus late at night than not to come to him at all.

From the fact that, after our Lord's death, it is said that he was the man who at the first came to Jesus by night, I gather that he did come then partly out of timidity and partly also out of candor. He wanted to know more about Christ before he committed himself, so he came privately, to see and hear for himself. It does not matter if any of you also come to Christ by night if you like. Our Savior has a night-bell to his door, and he is quite willing to be the Physician of your soul, even if you ring him up at midnight.

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night,–

That was better than not coming at all. "Better late than never."

Better come to Christ in the dark than not come to him at all.