While Jesus wasn’t popular among Nicodemus first came to Jesus or even liked by most of the Jewish in secret at night to ask Him ruling class and religious leaders, questions. Nicodemus was eager He did have followers among to learn spiritual truths, and Jesus them. Two of these were the took time to answer his questions Pharisee Nicodemus and Joseph and teach him. (You can read of Arimathea, both members of about Nicodemus’ first encounter the Great Sanhedrin.1 with Jesus in John 3.)
Rabbi, because of the amazing Unless a things You do, we person is born know You have come from above, from God as a he would not teacher. be able see the kingdom of God.2
1 The Great Sanhedrin was the Supreme Court in Judea during the time of Jesus’ life on earth. 2 John 3:2–3, paraphrased Later, during a meeting of the chief priests and Pharisees Faith-filled Models from where they spoke against Jesus, the Old Testament: Nicodemus spoke up on Jesus’ behalf and asked the others if it Nicodemus was right to judge a man without and Joseph of having heard him themselves. (You can read the full story in Arimathea John 7:14–53.) The third time Nicodemus is We must mentioned in the Gospels, it is bury Him quickly My tomb is nearby. along with Joseph of Arimathea before the We can bury Him after Jesus was crucified. Sabbath. there. Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple of Jesus, asked Pilate for permission to take the body of Jesus and bury Him. Nicodemus joined Joseph, and together they prepared Jesus’ body for burial and laid it in Joseph’s own tomb.
Therefore the prophecy was fulfilled, “His grave was with the rich in His death” (Isaiah 53:9, paraphrased).
The Bible doesn’t tell us more about Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, but church history shows that they both continued on as faithful disciples of Jesus after His death and resurrection.
S&S link: Christian Life and Faith: Witnessing and Missionary Training: Great Men and Women of God-1a Authored by Evan Kallen. Illustrated by Y.M. Designed by Evan Kallen. Published by My Wonder Studio. Copyright © 2018 by The Family International