Before we can delve into what Nicodemus is supposed to think when he hears Jesus say “This is the way God loved the world…” (John 3:16a), we first have to examine other parts of the conversation, as this is a building process. We have already heard Nicodemus speak to Jesus about the signs that He is doing, with an indication of an assent on his own part that Jesus “has come from God” (3:2b). Again, it cannot be said enough that this was a time of great expectation. Israel is expecting God to act on their behalf. They are expecting a messiah. A wide-held understanding about the messiah was that he would be the physical embodiment of Israel’s God. When he speaks of Jesus as coming from God, Nicodemus speaks from within this expectation. Nicodemus seems to be make a rather subtle inquiry as to whether or not Jesus was (or at least thought He was) the messiah. His own words about God being with Jesus indicate that he believes that this is a strong possibility.
How does Jesus respond? He does so by making reference to the Jewish, messianic hope that God was going to fulfill His promise and establish His kingdom. Keeping things simple, this would entail firstly, the removal of Roman oppression, and secondly, the subjugation of Rome to Israel, as Israel was to be elevated above all nations, with its messiah as king. Jesus is fully aware of the Jewish hope. Indeed, by His own words that are to come, we see that He believes that He is fulfilling the Jewish hope of kingdom. In demonstration of this awareness, Jesus says to Nicodemus, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (3:3). After a response from Nicodemus which shows us just how truly puzzling this statement was, with its inclusion of being “born from above,” Jesus continues and says, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (3:5). Clearly, Nicodemus is confused by Jesus’ speech here, but we would have to imagine that he would not be alone in his confusion. Even Jesus’ own disciples, though they are with Him all the time and had the chance to hear Him speak on a regular basis, as He likely made such intriguing statement on that same regular basis, were routinely perplexed by what He had to say, and were in need of private explanations. Granted, as a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council, Nicodemus was no doubt part of the elite and educated citizens of Israel, but we also find that Jesus routinely stumped even the most elite with His statements and His questions. One can only imagine the confused expression that rested upon Nicodemus’ face, prompting Jesus to say “Do not be amazed” (3:7a) at these things that I have said to you.
Now, putting aside the statements about being born from above and born of water and spirit, what would have been more significant for Nicodemus was Jesus’ multiple use of the term “kingdom of God.” This would have been Nicodemus’ concern. This is what he was after. Was Jesus the Messiah? Was He the One through Whom God was going to work to usher in His kingdom? As we think about the thoughts and emotions that this would have been stirring in Nicodemus, his response about a man entering into his mother’s womb and being born a second time (3:4b) almost seems like an effort to focus on something besides Jesus’ talk about the great Jewish hope, so as to obfuscate his own tremendous excitement at what this might very well mean. The same could possibly be said about Nicodemus’ words of “How can these things be?” (3:9a) Remember, Nicodemus was not there for a theological and philosophical dissertation. He came for information. He wanted to know what Jesus thought about Himself. His concern was the kingdom of God, and whether their God was now fulfilling His promise through this man that had been so demonstrative at the Temple, and who had done many signs while at the feast of Passover.
This too is significant. We should not lose sight of the fact that the signs to which Nicodemus is referring were being performed by Jesus in association with Passover. Passover, of course, was the yearly celebration of God intervening on behalf of His oppressed people, conquering their enemies, and leading them out of Egypt (in confirmation of His promise to Abraham) under the leadership of their great deliverer, Moses. The juxtaposition of signs at Passover, along with His actions in the Temple, would not have been lost on anybody, especially a Pharisee who was also a member of the ruling council. A person doing such things in conjunction with the feast conducted in celebration of the time when God gave His people liberation from their oppressors who were keeping them outside of the promised blessings of their God, was effectively declaring that he was, at the least, a messianic figure. This would serve to inspire great hope and arouse great passions among the people. This sparking of hope and passion could go two ways. One way would be the establishment of God’s kingdom, through a glorious display of His saving power. The other way would be a rebellion that resulted in being crushed by Rome, along with executed messiah. Nicodemus needed to know more about this Jesus. That is why he was there.
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