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Nicodemus Hyrcanus

 

Pronunciation:  nih-ko-DEE-muhs + hehr-KAN-uhs

Occurrences:  20

First Reference:  Yeshua 1:25

 

And there came from Jerusalem, Gamaliel, a ruler of the Sanhedrin; and there was with him certain others also, even Nicodemus of the house of Hyrcanus, and Joseph of Arimathea.

 

 

See:  John (son of Levi), Pharisees, Sanhedrin

 

Summary:  A Pharisee and leading member of the Sanhedrin, Nicodemus eventually became a defender and disciple of Yeshua.

 

Nicodemus is first mentioned being numbered among a group of the Sanhedrin sent from Jerusalem to gather information about the Essene, John the Baptizer. The delegation, which included Gamaliel and Joseph of Arimathea, inquired of John as to whether or not he was a Elijah, and why he and his disciples practiced baptism (Y:1:25-49).

 

At the onset of Yeshua’s ministry, Nicodemus is recorded advising Caiaphas and the chief elders to delay judgment of Yeshua prior to a lawful inquiry. Ananus rebuked Nicodemus, making the argument that never before had a prophet come out of Galilee (Y:5:16-22).

 

It wasn’t long after that incident that Nicodemus was the recipient of a letter written by the wealthy merchant, Joseph of Arimathea. Having been greatly moved by the words of Yeshua (Y:27:7-43), Joseph wrote to Nicodemus to convey his belief in Yeshua and express concern for the Sanhedrin, stating: “Take care among those which rule in Jerusalem concerning him. Lest by contending against [Yeshua], you fight against God also” (Y:27:44-51). After sharing Joseph’s words with certain members of the Sanhedrin, Nicodemus was commissioned to go visit Yeshua in secret to avoid punishment by the temple leaders (Y:27:52-53).

 

John, the son of Levi, accompanies Nicodemus to secretly visit with Yeshua in Bethany (Y:31:1). During the conversation, Nicodemus asks how one might be accepted of God. When Yeshua mentions the importance of being ‘born again’, Nicodemus seems puzzled and inquires further. Yeshua lightly chides Nicodemus, saying: “Are you not a master in Israel? How is it that you know not these things?” The meeting had a powerful impact upon Nicodemus, as according to scripture, he “gave forth all his heart unto the Lord from that day forth” (Y:31:2-38).

 

A year later, during what is commonly described as Yeshua’s ‘triumphal entry into Jerusalem’ (Y:42:1-8), Nicodemus was among the elders observing the event from the temple walls (Y:42:13). Midst the cheering of the crowds, Nicodemus quotes from Jewish scripture (Zechariah 9:9), saying: “Rejoice greatly O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: For, behold, your king is come unto you, riding upon an ass, and the foal of an ass” (Y:42:14-15).

 

Directly following Yeshua’s unlawful arrest at the Garden of Gethsemane, John (the son of Levi) went to notify Nicodemus of what had happened (Y:46:45). Accompanied by fifteen others of the Sanhedrin, Nicodemus arrived at the house of Caiaphas to “contend against the High Priest for Yeshua’s sake”. But Caiaphas, through “treachery and deceit”, had Yeshua delivered to Pilate, then proceeded to imprison Nicodemus and order many of the Sanhedrin to be killed (Y:47:15-16).

 

Scripture reports that days later, the resurrected Yeshua appeared to Nicodemus ‘in the visions of the night’ to comfort him while he remained in prison (Y:48:28). Yeshua also appeared to Caiaphas and Ananus, scolding them for persecuting the righteous (Y:48:29-34). Greatly troubled, Ananus set Nicodemus free from prison. Yet when Caiaphas discovered what his father-in-law had done, and fearing that he would confess to others about their unlawfulness, he had Ananus strangled to death (Y:48:35-36).

 

 

Notes/References:
 

Yeshua 27:44-52            Joseph’s letter to Nicodemus       

 

Yeshua 31:1-38              Nicodemus visits with Yeshua

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