Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 3:10

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou the teacher of Israel, and understandest not these things?" — John 3:10 (ASV)

The Greek text uses the definite article with “teacher”: “Are you the teacher of Israel?” (lit. tr.). Nicodemus’s exact position in the theological circles of Israel is not defined, but the language suggests that he was an important person. Jesus implies that he should have been familiar with the teaching of the new birth. Evidently Jesus felt that since the OT contained this teaching in principle, those who read the Scriptures were responsible for knowing and believing the truth.