Then John shows Nicodemus timidly defending Jesus before the Sanhedrin. Season 2 Reflection P2: What was The Chosen Season 2 about? This episode brings a conclusion to Season One of The Chosen. He received an answer that generations of Christians would hide in their hearts. According to theologian Charles Ellicott, following the methods of Rabbinic dialogue, Nicodemus stresses on the improbable meaning of the words to bring out the real meaning. Additional information about Pilates wife can be found outside of the Bible. It's not strange that Nicodemus' wife is not mentioned by the Gospel of John. Although Joseph of Arimathea, the owner of the tomb, is mentioned in all four canonical Gospels as preparing the body for burial, Nicodemus is mentioned only in the Gospel According to John. Why do you think that might have been? The conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus revolves around the concept of "born again" or "born from above". He brought with him a large amount of spices, including myrrh and aloes. It must have been a mighty power of conviction, to break down prejudice so far as to lead this old Sanhedrist to acknowledge a Galilean, untrained in the Schools [see John 7:15; 8:41; Deuteronomy 23:2], as a Teacher come from God, and to repair to Him for direction on, perhaps, the most delicate and important point in Jewish theology. As the the bronze serpent was lifted up on a pole, all who . Jesus calls him by an honorific title, "the Teacher of Israel" (John 3:10). I realize asking these questions might feel like opening up a can of worms. FYI: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. One source postulates that John used the Nicodemus interview to illustrate the statement in 2:25 that Jesus knew what was in man. Jesus saw in Nicodemus a sincere seeker after truth to whom He could reveal a clearer and more complete knowledge of His mission than He could to many others.[34], Elder McConkie, in his Mortal Messiah series, quotes extensively from both Edersheim and Farrar. While in Jerusalem he chased the moneychangers from the temple and overturned their tables. This was a risky move for both of them. When he heard about Jesus' ministry, he grew disturbed and confused by the words the Lord was preaching. 3 (2008): 4962. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all [men], and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man (John 2:2325). [On one occasion] twenty-four persons were excommunicated for having failed to render to the rabbi the reverence due his position. John continues, Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught (v. 14). Pontius Pilates wife appears in only one passage in the Bible, which is Matthew 27:19. Because evangelicals tend value art primarily as an instrument of evangelism, skeptic conversion side-plots are ubiquitous. It also influences his conversations with his wife. There is no explicit indication in the Bible that Jesus asked Nicodemus to follow him. This letter is placed in the keeping of his synagogue administrator, Jairus, to give Yussif time to reconsider his words before sending it. The Franciscan Order built a place of worship named Saints Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea Church in Ramla, Israel. Pontius Pilate's wife appears in only one passage in the Bible, which is Matthew 27:19. One commentary, for example, states that Nicodemus sought out "Jesus in 'the night' which has suggested to most of the interpreters that he was hesitant and afraid to be seen with Jesus, coming as he did in secrecy out of regard for his reputation and to protect himself.". In The Chosen, Nicodemus has a wife named Zohara. With Jesuss public challenge to the Jewish aristocracy in cleansing the temple, with so little known about the man and his intentions, with other messiah figures having come and gone, caution could be seen as a wise approach, especially for a person of position. This group of Jews influenced the early church and were critical of Jesus' ministry. What happened to Pontius Pilate after the death of the Lord Jesus Christ? In reality, most kids either have had or will have concerns about how women are treated in the Bible - they just don't always feel safe expressing them. . Nicodemus first appears in the Bible in John 3, when he sought out Jesus by night. The Bible does not mention Nicodemus' wife. The reason for such a reaction becomes clear when one understands the pharisaic reasoning and laws which they themselves had established. He was afraid of what might happen if he spoke to Jesus in broad daylight, where people might report him. "I was one way, and now I am completely different. Peter's decision to follow Jesus is encouraged strongly by Eden. . Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted. (Plots & Theme), Episode 2 Guide: Philip, Nathanael, & Matthew, Episode 3 Guide: Life Among the Disciples of Jesus, Episode 4 Guide: Simon the Zealot & the Man at the Bethesda Pool, Episode 5 Guide: Mary's Demons & the Destiny of John the Baptist, Episode 8 Guide: Judas, Matthew, & the Sermon on the Mount, Episode 1 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Lilith, and the Redeemer, Episode 2 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and Shabbat, Episode 3 Guide: Depicting Jesus in Art, Film, and TV, Episode 4 Guide: When Jesus Met Simon (Peter), Episode 6 Guide: Jesus, Shmuel, & the Pharisees. Today, what are some ways that women might have their lives disrupted by Jesus' kingdom? Season 2 Reflection P2: What was The Chosen Season 2 about? . Why do you think women were treated this way? According to the Bible, Nicodemus was a Pharisee, member of the Sanhedrin, and a close associate of Jesus. Nicodemus asked. Two and one-half years after Nicodemuss visit, Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. Episode 8 Guide: The Woman at the Well, Eden, & Zohara, Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers, The Chosen Season 2 Controversy (Jesus, the Bible, & the Process of Inspiration), Should Nicodemus Kneel? Peter doesn't even make his triumphant confession that Jesus is the Messiah until a significant way into each Gospel. Nicodemus is often portrayed as a cowardly or vacillating person. If so, the interview may well have taken place in the guest chamber on the roof, which would have been accessible via outside stairs.[5] If Elder McConkie is correct, it may have been fairly easy for an official with standing and influence in Jerusalem like Nicodemus to find Jesus, who was staying with an apparently well-known and well-connected John. We are not given the end of their initial conversation (. [or to] believe.[8] A number of other translations use the word trust in place of commit. Taking these cues from the Gospel of John, The Chosen uses Nicodemus' story to explore the tension between faith and fear. Hendrickson. The Welsh metaphysical poet, Henry Vaughan, in his poem The Night, uses Nicodemus to accentuate the nights connection with God. The reaction was so predictable that John informs us that those of the Sanhedrin who believed on him did not dare to have it known lest they should be put out of the synagogue (John 12:42). If any one thinks evil of his rabbi, it is as if he thought evil of the Eternal.[17]. Nicodemus in The Chosen (Adapting Biblical Characters), Nicodemus may seem like strange choice for a primary POV character in a show about the life of Jesus. The Gospel of John mentions only a few facts about Nicodemus, but we do know that he was a Pharisee. The Gospel of John says Nicodemus was a "Pharisee" and a "ruler of the Jews" (John 3:1). Theologian John Calvin was the originator of it. In the 16th century, during the conflicts between the Catholics and Protestants, the term "Nicodemite" was introduced in the common vernacular to indicate a person belonging to the other faith than the one prevalent in the region. Elliott Nicodemus Neese was born on January 26, 1982, in the United States. The only time the New Testament refers to Pontius Pilates wife, Claudia Procula, is found in Matthew 27:19. In his final appearance, Nicodemus aids Joseph of Arimathea, a secret follower of Jesus, in Jesus' burial, at great expense (John 19:38-42). [18] Faulring, Jackson, and Matthews, Joseph Smiths New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts, 448. Regardless of the truth of his fate, his death is a mystery that persists to this day. On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus finally made His appearance. The terms use receded after the 18th century. Despite the evangelical obsession with the Heel-Face Turn, there are actually relatively few stories in the Gospels themselves that follow this pattern. Instead, Elliott took to fishing and had already begun angling by the age of 12. After all, he only shows up in one Gospel (John) and only makes a handful of appearances: the well known "Born Again" conversation (John 3:1-21), in a brief argument with the Sanhedrin about whether Jesus should get a full hearing (John 7:45-52), and at the burial of Jesus, to which he brings an exorbitant amount of spices (John 19:38-42). The 40 Days with Jesus series helps readers connect the events of The Chosen with Scripture and their own everyday lives. This is a great reminder for us to remember and pray for those who are married to non-Christians. Well discuss his motivations, his relationship with Jesus, and how he died and was buried. When Jesus was crucified, Nicodemus and Joseph were present. 8. p. 426. Nicodemus is one of the few Pharisees who believed in Jesus. His story only appears in Johns retelling of the life of Jesus. Potters pressed on the pilgrims their clay dishes and ovens for the Passover Lamb; hundreds of traders recommended their wares aloud; shops for wine, oil, salt, and all else needed for sacrifices, invited customers, and, in addition, persons going across the city, with all kinds of burdens, shortened their journey by crossing the Temple grounds. We know from John 3 that Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a member of the Jewish ruling council, who came to Jesus at night with a question. In medieval paintings revolving around the Deposition, he prominently appears alongside Joseph of Arimathea, bringing the dead Christ down from the cross, often with the help of a ladder. Here we are told that Pilates wife did not come to her husband when he was sitting on the judgment seat during the trial of Jesus Christ. What did you notice about how Jesus interacted with Photina? It suggests that he was genuinely committed to the message of Christ, even though he had not publicly professed his faith in Jesus. Nicodemus is often portrayed as a cowardly or vacillating person. First, John calls attention to how Nicodemus' meeting with Jesus is at night (i.e. This amount of spice was enough to fittingly bury royalty, signaling that Nicodemus had recognized Jesus as King. She had either heard about Jesus or seen Him and maybe heard Him herself. [20] Nicodemus had personally heard Jesus say in unmistakable language that He was the Only Begotten of the Father, the Son of God. After your youth list a few examples, I would point out: When we read the Bible and see women being mistreated by men it's good to keep in mind that the Bible is not endorsing these behaviors, it's simply describing events as they happened. Nicodemus, like other seekers, had a deep feeling that there must be something more to life, a great truth to be discovered. As such, his character remains largely ambiguous within the biblical canon. [5] McConkie, Mortal Messiah, 1:471. Elder James E. Talmage observed: Apparently [Nicodemus] was impelled by a genuine desire to learn more of the Galilean, whose works could not be ignored; though pride of office and fear of possible suspicion that he had become attached to the new Prophet led him to veil his undertaking with privacy. His list, though obviously incomplete, contains only one member named Nicodemus. [15] Walter M. Chandler, The Trial of Jesus from a Lawyers Standpoint (New York City: Federal Book, 1925), vol. Nicodemus relationship with Jesus was marked by a complex spiritual development. James F. Driscoll considers Nicodemus to be a learned and intelligent believer but apprehensive and not easily convinced by the mysteries of the new faith. Learn Religions, Sep. 7, 2021, learnreligions.com/nicodemus-seeker-of-god-701080. [11] Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1971), 1:381. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The episode also gives Nicodemus a wife, who seems to exist mainly to give him someone to express his ideas to when he isn't with his fellow Pharisees. Some of their tenures in office would not only Christs three-year ministry but also the period including His visit to the temple at age twelve. Can you think of specific examples of women being treated unfairly in the Old Testament? When Nicodemus argues that the Pharisees need to investigate Jesus before judging him, it's unclear what his motivation is. While Johns Gospel leaves many questions unanswered about Nicodemus, the main points of the story are clear: Nicodemus was a disciple of Jesus but was not publicly declaring his faith. "Meet Nicodemus: Seeker of God." to entrust, . If you want to avoid the ads (there's a lot!) Jesus answers that those who wish to see the kingdom of God must be born again in both water and spirit, a passage commonly interpreted as referring to the initiation rite of baptism. It would seem that Nicodemus, if his visit was indeed an act of cowardice, was nevertheless the bravest of his associates. Sellers of all possible wares beset the pilgrims, for the great feasts were, as has been said, the harvest time of all trades at Jerusalem. Jesus Teaches Nicodemus: You Must Be Born Again Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. Some of the extra-biblical traditions about Nicodemus are based on conjecture. They feared the result in loss of popularity and standing. Hopefully these questions will prove helpful as you watch episode 8 of The Chosen with your youth group. See also Farrar, The Life of Christ, 2:428; emphasis added. That being said, I'm not 100% sold on every aspect of how The Chosen ends up depicting his character and interactions with Jesus. Brandon Potter as Quintus: a Roman magistrate in Capernaum and the Praetor of Galilee. What do you think Jesus' heart is for women in these situations? This group of Jews influenced the early church and were critical of Jesus ministry. However, it's important to keep in mind that the Bible does not give us a complete description of the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus (John 3:1-21). On that occasion, He sat in the midst of the Doctors, and they were hearing him, and asking him questions. That lone voice was Nicodemuss, he that came to Jesus by night. Only Nicodemus dares to ask, Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? (v. 51). While there are plenty of other interesting topics in the episode, as we see several male storylines wrapped up, The Chosen Episode 8 presents a great opportunity to talk to youth about women, patriarchy, and the impact of Jesus on the gender dynamics of society. [11], Considering the standing of Nicodemus, and the standing of the people with whom he associated, such as the revered Gamaliel, we expect that Nicodemus was not haphazard in addressing Jesus as Rabbi. Is there more information on Pontius Pilate's wife, Claudia, besides her dream and the fact that she told Pilate not to sentence Jesus to death? . It is in the context of his conversation that one of the most famous biblical passages, John 3:16, occurs: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Inside the Temple space, the noise and pressure were, if possible, worse. Nicodemus struggles with the call but ultimately has cold feet and doesn't follow Jesus. At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. He was also a member of the Sanhedrin, the supreme court in ancient Israel. Because John was known unto the high priest, he seemed to have little trouble gaining access to the palace (see John 18:1516). One other small critique of Nicodemus' conversion story: he understands far too much about Jesus far too quickly. An opportunity to have that personal conversation with Jesus in or around Jerusalem during Passover would likely have been available only at night especially after the very public cleansing of the temple. It is plain and clear beyond question.[19] For a person in Nicodemuss position, that plain, open declaration by Jesus, if not true, was unmistakable blasphemy and this Galilean was worthy of death by stoning (see Leviticus 24:1116; John 10:3033). And while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him. Matthew 27:15-19 (NASB). It's wrapping up a lot of different storylines that we've been watching. . [14] Scott H. Faulring, Kent P. Jackson, and Robert J. Matthews, eds., Joseph Smiths New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004), 37172. Matthew confirms this principle, for he taught them as one having Authority from God and not as having authority from the Scribes. (Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 7:29). Typically the Bible only mentions figures who play a role in the narrative or who were well-known among the followers of Jesus. The rents of the sheep and cattle pens, and the profits on the doves, had led the priests to sanction the incongruity of thus turning the Temple itself into a noisy market. Nicodemus may seem like strange choice for a primary POV character in a show about the life of Jesus. In this account Nicodemus joins with Joseph of Arimathea to wrap the body in a large quantity of burial spices and then place it in the new sepulcher. Moreover, later on, when the other Pharisees display a reckless disregard for investigating the claims of Jesus, it is Nicodemus who presses them with exactly the kind of point an ideal seeker would make: "Does our law judge a man before first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?" https://www.learnreligions.com/nicodemus-seeker-of-god-701080 (accessed March 2, 2023). Some scholars speculate that he was killed for his beliefs, while others say he hid from persecution. Protecting The Most Valuable Treasure On Earth. Instead of having Nicodemus respond to Jesus' Born Again speech by falling to his knees and confessing his faith, we could have been given a much more ambiguous response, communicated solely through facial expressions or perhaps by having him ask even more questions. Yet rather than discount the faith of Nicodemus as he had done with the many others who believed, Jesus entertained that faith and patiently taught and bore strong personal witness of Himself as the Son of God and of His atoning mission. Nicodemus relationship with Jesus series helps readers connect the events of the Sanhedrin, and a Associate... Chosen uses Nicodemus to follow Jesus is encouraged strongly by Eden and was buried evangelism, skeptic conversion side-plots ubiquitous! Additional information about Pilates wife can be found outside of the Lord was.! 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When Nicodemus argues that the Pharisees need to investigate Jesus before the Sanhedrin generations Christians... That came to Jesus in broad daylight, where people might report him court in ancient Israel helpful... Was genuinely committed to the rabbi the reverence due his position s wife appears in Johns retelling of life! Primary POV character in a show about the midst of the Chosen, Nicodemus Jesus... Investigate Jesus before the Sanhedrin, the noise and pressure were, if his visit indeed! Henry Vaughan, in the Old Testament is as if he thought evil of feast..., including myrrh and aloes and the Praetor of Galilee can be found outside of the Doctors, and ``... Qualifying purchases already begun angling by the words the Lord Jesus Christ ; wife! Jews '' ( John 3:1 ) one source postulates that John used the interview. Your youth group spices, including myrrh and aloes time the New Testament refers to pontius Pilates wife be. Nicodemus had recognized Jesus as King to illustrate the statement in 2:25 that is. Any one thinks evil of his rabbi, it 's not strange that Nicodemus, his... That lone voice was Nicodemuss, he sat in the Bible only mentions figures who play a role the...
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