Jesus of Nazareth's strong and forceful personality appealed not only to spiritually minded women, but also to educated and intellectual Nicodemus, a wealthy elderly member of the Sanhedrin, and a hardy Roman soldier who declared, “Truly, this was a Son of God.”. [1]
Jesus’ visit with Nicodemus revealed the necessity of being born of the spirit to enter the kingdom of God, challenging Nicodemus to submit his will to the divine Father like a child. [2] Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, feared to be seen openly with Jesus, so he arranged to see him privately at night in Flavius's home. [3] Nicodemus came to see Jesus in Gethsemane but turned back in fear with Joseph of Arimathea. [4]
Nicodemus' home became a secret meeting place for Jesus' followers, including prominent Jewish leaders, who made a pact to openly acknowledge their allegiance to the Master, even in the face of his arrest. [5]
Nicodemus boldly asked Pilate for Jesus’ body, showing his faith and courage amidst the fear and uncertainty of his fellow disciples. [6]
Nicodemus and Joseph reverently embalmed Jesus' body with myrrh and aloes, wrapping it in bandages saturated with the solution before placing it on a shelf in the tomb. [7]
Nicodemus, alongside Joseph, John, and a Roman centurion, helped bear the body of Jesus to the tomb at half past four o'clock from Golgotha to Joseph's tomb. [8] Jesus appeared for the 16th time in the courtyard of Nicodemus, instructing the gathered believers on the evening of May 5. [9]
Joseph and Nicodemus, formerly secret believers in Jesus and the most outspoken disciples in Jerusalem, decided to bury him in Joseph's new family tomb, despite the strict law against burying crucified persons in Jewish cemeteries. [10] Nicodemus and the other men doubted the report of Jesus' resurrection, speculating that the Jews had removed his body. [11]
See also: UB 188:3.3.