Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on John 3:2
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
The same came to Jesus by night, etc.] Through fear of the Jews, of being reproached or turned out of his place by them; or through shame, that such a doctor as he was, should be known to go to Jesus of Nazareth, to be instructed by him; or lest he should offend any of his brethren of the sanhedrim: though some things may be said in favour of this conduct of Nicodemus; for since Christ would not trust himself with those that believed in him upon seeing his miracles, (<430223>John 2:23,24), among whom Nicodemus seems to be; or would not admit them into his company, and enter into a free conversation with him; it was necessary, that if he would have any discourse with him, that he should take this method; and if it was the same night, in which he had seen his miracles in the day, as is probable, he took the first opportunity he could, and which shows great readiness and respect; add to which, that it was very common with the Jewish doctors, to meet and converse together, and study the law in the night. “R. Aba rose, aylyl twglpb, “in the middle of the night”, and the rest of the companions, to study in the law f`123.” And it is often f124 said of R. Simeon ben Joehal, and Eleazar his son, that they sat in the night and laboured in the law; and it was reckoned very commendable so to do, and highly pleasing to God: it is said f125, “whoever studies in the law in the night, the holy blessed God draws a thread of mercy upon him in the day:” and likewise f126, that “every one that studies in the law in the night, the Shekinah is over against him.” But it seems, the Babylonian Jews did not study in the law in the night f127: it might seem a needless question to ask, whether Nicodemus came alone, or not, were it not that according to the Jewish canon f128 a scholar might not go out in the night alone, because of suspicion: and said unto him, Rabbi; a title which now greatly obtained among the Jewish doctors, and of which they were very fond; (see Gill on “<402307>Matthew 23:7”). It comes from a word, which signifies great and large; and was used by them, to suggest the large compass, and great plenty of knowledge they would be thought to have had; and best becomes and suits with our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are: salutations among the Jews, were forbidden in the night f129; “says R. Jochanan, it is forbidden a man to salute his neighbour in the night, lest it should be a demon:” but here was no such danger; nor was this salutation made in the street, and in the dark, which the canon seems to respect: we know that thou art a teacher come from God; the Jews expected the Messiah as a teacher, which they might learn from many prophecies, as from (<230202>Isaiah 2:2,3 48:17 61:1). Upon the first of which, and on that passage in it, “he will teach us of his ways”, a noted commentator f130 of theirs has this remark; “hrwmh, “the teacher”, he is the King Messiah.” And the Targum on (<290223>Joel 2:23) paraphrases the words thus: “O ye children of Zion, rejoice and be glad in the word of the Lord your God, for he will return ˆwkplm ty, “your teacher” to you.” And Nicodemus acknowledges Jesus as such; and as one that did not come, or was sent by men, as their doctors were; nor did he come of himself, as false teachers did; but he came from God, and had his mission and commission from him: and this was a known case, a clear point, not only to himself, but to many of the Jews; and even to some of his brethren, t…
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