John Calvin Commentary John 3:1

"Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:" — John 3:1 (ASV)

Now there was a man of the Pharisees. In the person of Nicodemus, the Evangelist now shows us how vain and fleeting was the faith of those who, having been stirred by miracles, suddenly professed to be disciples of Christ. For since this man was of the order of the Pharisees and held the rank of a ruler in his nation, he must have been far more excellent than others.

The common people, for the most part, are fickle and unsteady; but who would not have thought that he who had learning and experience was also a wise and prudent man? Yet from Christ’s reply, it is evident that nothing was further from Nicodemus's purpose in coming than a desire to learn the first principles of religion.

If he who was a ruler among men is less than a child, what should we think of the multitude at large? Now although the Evangelist’s purpose was to show, as in a mirror, how few there were in Jerusalem who were properly disposed to receive the Gospel, yet, for other reasons, this narrative is highly useful to us. This is especially true because it instructs us about the depraved nature of mankind, what the proper entrance into the school of Christ is, and what the beginning of our training must be to make progress in heavenly doctrine.

For the sum of Christ’s discourse is that, in order for us to be His true disciples, we must become new men. But, before proceeding further, we must ascertain from the circumstances detailed here by the Evangelist what obstacles prevented Nicodemus from giving himself unreservedly to Christ.

Of the Pharisees. This designation was, no doubt, regarded by his countrymen as honorable to Nicodemus; but it is not for the sake of honor that it is given to him by the Evangelist, who, on the contrary, draws our attention to it as having prevented him from coming freely and cheerfully to Christ.

Hence we are reminded that those who occupy a lofty station in the world are, for the most part, entangled by very dangerous snares. Indeed, we see many of them held so firmly bound that not even the slightest wish or prayer arises from them towards heaven throughout their entire lives. We have elsewhere explained why they were called Pharisees; for they boasted of being the only expounders of the Law, as if they were in possession of the marrow and hidden meaning of Scripture, and for that reason they called themselves פרושים (Perushim).

Though the Essenes led a more austere life, which gained them a high reputation for holiness, yet because, like hermits, they abandoned the ordinary life and customs of men, the sect of the Pharisees was on that account held in higher estimation. Besides, the Evangelist mentions not only that Nicodemus was of the order of the Pharisees, but that he was one of the rulers of his nation.