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JOHN 3:1 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
John 3John 3:2
“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:”
Now there was a Pharisee, a member of the Jewish ruling council, named Nicodemus — Nicodemus' introduction establishes his status: Pharisee (interpreter of Torah), council member (probable Sanhedrin), named individual (unusual in John). His official position makes his subsequent seeking of Jesus theologically significant, suggesting that institutional authority does not exhaust spiritual understanding.

Church Fathers on John 3:1

He had said above that, when He was at Jerusalem many believed in His Name, when they saw the miracles which He did. Of this number was Nicodemus, of whom we are told; There was a man of the Pharisees, Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

Augustine · 4th century

His rank is given, A ruler of the Jews; and then what he did, This man came to Jesus by night: hoping, that is, by so secret an interview, to learn more of the mysteries of the faith; the late public miracles having given him an elementary knowledge of them.

Bede · 8th century

and therefore he came in the night, being afraid to come in the day. Of such the Evangelist speaks elsewhere, Nevertheless, among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue.

Chrysostom · 4th century · As yet however he was withheld by Jewish infirmity
Read all 9 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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