John 3 2

John 3:2 kjv

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.

John 3:2 nkjv

This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."

John 3:2 niv

He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him."

John 3:2 esv

This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him."

John 3:2 nlt

After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. "Rabbi," he said, "we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you."

John 3 verses

John 3 2 Meaning

John 3:2 introduces Nicodemus, a prominent Jewish leader, approaching Jesus secretly at night. He acknowledges Jesus as a divinely sent teacher based on the miraculous signs Jesus performed. Nicodemus understands that such powerful acts can only occur if God's presence and power are actively with Jesus, confirming His unique status. This verse marks the beginning of a pivotal discourse on new birth.

John 3 2 Context

John chapter 3 opens immediately following Jesus' Passover ministry in Jerusalem, where "many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did" (Jn 2:23). This verse, John 3:2, specifically sets the scene for one of the most crucial dialogues in the Gospels: Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus.

Nicodemus, identified as "a man of the Pharisees" and "a ruler of the Jews" (Jn 3:1), meaning a member of the Sanhedrin, was a highly esteemed religious and political figure. His visit by "night" is significant. It might indicate a desire for private, undisturbed theological discourse, which was not uncommon in rabbinic circles. More significantly, given his prominent status among the religious elite who largely opposed Jesus, it likely conveyed caution or even fear of being associated publicly with Jesus. To openly visit Jesus might risk his reputation or position among the other Pharisees, many of whom were hostile towards Jesus' teachings and claims.

Nicodemus' initial assessment of Jesus, as expressed in this verse, is a recognition based on outward observation. He acknowledges Jesus as a "teacher come from God" based purely on the "miracles" or "signs" Jesus performs. He understands that the power for such deeds must originate from God's presence with Jesus. This establishes Nicodemus' intellectual acknowledgment but hints at a deeper, spiritual truth that Jesus immediately moves to address—the necessity of being "born again." The discourse thus moves from a physical, empirical understanding of Jesus' identity to the spiritual requirement for entering God's Kingdom.

John 3 2 Word Analysis

• The same (οὗτος, houtos): Refers directly to Nicodemus mentioned in the preceding verse (John 3:1). This emphasizes that Nicodemus, a man of standing and influence, personally took the initiative to approach Jesus.
• came (ἦλθεν, ēlthen): Implies a deliberate and purposeful action on Nicodemus' part, not a chance encounter. He sought Jesus out.
• to Jesus (πρὸς τὸν Ἰησοῦν, pros ton Iēsoun): Indicates direct, intentional approach to Jesus as the one he sought answers from.
• by night (νυκτός, nyktos): A multifaceted detail.
  • Secrecy: Most likely points to Nicodemus' desire for privacy or fear of condemnation from his fellow Pharisees (Jn 7:13, 9:22, 12:42-43).
  • Study: Rabbinic custom sometimes involved late-night theological discussions.
  • Symbolic: May also symbolize the spiritual darkness in which Nicodemus, despite his religious learning, resided before encountering the "Light of the World" (Jn 1:5, 3:19-21). He is coming out of darkness towards Light.
• and said unto him (καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, kai eipen autō): Marks the immediate commencement of their private dialogue.
• Rabbi (ῥαββί, rhabbi): A Hebrew title of deep respect, meaning "my great one" or "my master." Used for authoritative teachers. Nicodemus, a "teacher of Israel," grants Jesus this title, indicating recognition of His teaching authority.
• we know (οἴδαμεν, oidamen): This plural "we" is debated.
  • Representative Plural: Nicodemus speaking for himself and perhaps a quiet faction within the Sanhedrin or other Jewish leaders who also secretly acknowledged Jesus' divine accreditation.
  • Polite Plural: A common literary device where "we" means "I" but with a deferential tone, implying a general truth accepted by any thoughtful observer.
  • It indicates a shared observation or conviction, suggesting that Jesus' signs were compelling enough for more than one person to draw this conclusion.
• that thou art (σὺ εἶ, sy ei): A direct, declarative affirmation.
• a teacher (διδάσκαλος, didaskalos): Nicodemus sees Jesus as an authoritative instructor, one who imparts divine truth.
• come from God (ἀπὸ Θεοῦ ἐλήλυθας, apo Theou elēlythas): This is a profound theological acknowledgment. It means Jesus' authority and message originate from God, marking Him as more than an ordinary human teacher but divinely commissioned. It indicates His divine authorization, though Nicodemus has yet to grasp Jesus' divine personhood.
• for (γάρ, gar): Connects the reason with the statement. Introduces the evidence.
• no man can do (οὐδεὶς γὰρ δύναται ἄνθρωπος ποιῆσαι, oudeis gar dynatai anthrōpos poiēsai): Emphasizes human inability to perform such deeds purely by human power. It's an argument from extraordinary performance.
• these miracles (ταῦτα τὰ σημεῖα, tauta ta sēmeia): Literally "these signs." The Gospel of John consistently uses sēmeion (sign) rather than dynamis (miracle/power) to describe Jesus' supernatural acts. A "sign" points beyond itself to a greater truth or to the identity of the one performing it. Here, the signs point to God's active presence with Jesus (John 2:23).
• that thou doest (ἃ σὺ ποιεῖς, ha sy poieis): Directly observed and acknowledged actions by Jesus.
• except God be with him (ἐὰν μὴ ᾖ ὁ Θεὸς μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, ean mē ē ho Theos met' autou): This is the essential condition or premise Nicodemus' argument rests upon. He attributes Jesus' unique power directly to the divine presence and partnership with Him. It's an acknowledgement of divine enablement, essential for interpreting the signs.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The same came to Jesus by night": Highlights the discreet, possibly apprehensive, but determined approach of a high-ranking official to Jesus, symbolizing a movement from conventional understanding or fear, toward the light of truth.
• "Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God": This opening acknowledges Jesus' authority and divine origin. The use of "Rabbi" grants respect, while "teacher come from God" identifies Jesus as a divinely commissioned instructor, setting the stage for theological discussion rather than legalistic debate. The "we know" points to either a general consensus among thoughtful observers or a secret, growing conviction among certain influential people.
• "for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him": This explains why Nicodemus came to his conclusion. His reasoning is based on observable evidence (Jesus' signs), interpreted through the understanding that such power can only emanate from God's active presence. It frames Jesus' ministry in terms of divine backing, but at this stage, it doesn't necessarily acknowledge Jesus' inherent divinity, only His divine authentication.

John 3 2 Bonus section

Nicodemus' visit by night not only signifies discretion but can also be seen as an individual seeking the "Light of the World" (Jesus) from within a state of intellectual or conventional "darkness" (Pharisaic understanding, fear of human opinion). While many religious leaders rejected Jesus, Nicodemus' willingness to even acknowledge Him as a divinely authorized teacher shows a crack in the collective hardened heart of the Jewish leadership. His initial perception, though incomplete, serves as the first step on his spiritual journey. He reappears later, hesitantly defending Jesus before the Sanhedrin (Jn 7:50-52) and finally openly identifying with Jesus at His burial (Jn 19:39-42), demonstrating a remarkable progression from a secret inquirer to a bold disciple. This verse sets the stage for a private revelation of fundamental Christian truths, emphasizing that spiritual truths are often unfolded to those who earnestly seek them.

John 3 2 Commentary

John 3:2 provides the opening statement from Nicodemus, revealing his partial yet significant understanding of Jesus. As a Pharisee and a Sanhedrin member, Nicodemus represented the pinnacle of Jewish religious knowledge, yet he sought out Jesus under the cloak of night. His address, "Rabbi," signals genuine respect for Jesus' teaching authority, but his primary conviction stems from observing Jesus' "signs." Nicodemus rightly concludes that these supernatural deeds testify to God's presence and active involvement with Jesus, establishing Him as a "teacher come from God." This shows an intellectual acknowledgment of Jesus' divine commissioning, a perception common among many in Jerusalem (Jn 2:23).

However, Nicodemus' statement, while profound, remains in the realm of observation and logical deduction. He grasps Jesus' divine authorization but has not yet comprehended the spiritual new birth that Jesus immediately introduces. The sēmeia (signs) in John are never ends in themselves; they always point to a deeper truth about Jesus' identity or the nature of His mission. Nicodemus' understanding, while correct in what it asserts, is incomplete, forming the perfect springboard for Jesus to challenge him to move from an outward recognition of signs to an inward spiritual transformation. His visit by night aptly foreshadows his initial state of spiritual darkness or incomplete understanding, from which Jesus will illuminate the path to the Kingdom of God.