The need of the Pharisee

... is everyone’s need. John 3.1-11

Nicodemus was a Pharisee who came to Jesus because of the signs (John 2.23) which were evidence that God was with him.  If Jesus was a fake, surely God would not work such signs through him (though the false prophet may be an exception, Rev 13).

Nic said “we know,” …but he may have only come on his own initiative.  Typically, the Pharisees did not accept Jesus.  They mostly rejected the ministry of John, as in Luke 7.28-30.  I believe this is because they thought they were righteous and despised others as in the parable of Luke 18.9-14.  The name “Pharisee” means “separatist,” and they were or made such a show.  Their sect developed from the Scribes during the period after the return from Babylon, and were devoted to the careful observance of the Law.


Nic had a degree of integrity, and so the signs of Jesus had to be reckoned with. He came at night possibly to avoid attention or for a private conversation.  Nic would appear later as one who speaks up in the council with respect to Jesus and assists in Jesus' burial, John 7.50; 19.39.  There is also the Pharisee Simon who invites Jesus into his house, Luke 7.36, 39-40 and calls him teacher.

One might think that the Pharisees were offended by this man of God who was hanging with the common folks which they considered sinners and took no interest in them. 

Nic acknowledges Jesus as “Rabbi” and a teacher, being respectful, but not as the Christ.  Yet Jesus says nothing pertaining to this but brings up the issue of the need for the new birth to see and enter the Kingdom of God.

Why does he do this?  His identity will be later connected with how this birth is acquired.  The need of the Pharisee--which is everyone's need is what needs attention first.

No matter how righteous the Pharisees were or appeared, they were not righteous enough.  Matt 5.20 "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."   If anybody was righteous, it was the Pharisee, but contrary to popular perception, it was not enough.  If the Pharisee was not good enough, no one was.

This new birth is necessary because of that short-coming.  I don't think Jesus is simply addressing the problem of hypocrisy among the Pharisees.  I believe it goes deeper to the problem of the inability to be righteous by the Law.

Justification changes our status, but the new birth does that and more, as the new birth by what it imparts creates a new identity.  Justification is a legal conferral of acquittal, while the new birth imparts a spirit of righteousness that creates a new  self.

Nicodemus can only think in physical terms, but it could be this is what is said about a gentile who converts (as “newborn Children”), yet Nic is a Jew who seeks the righteousness of the law, so what is this birth again about?

Jesus goes on to say this is a spiritual birth.  There are metaphors in his answers which makes it difficult.  The answer requires inquiry. 

This birth is by the Spirit as it creates a spirit.  The Birth is  out of water and spirit.  I believe the water is a metaphor for the cleansing of new birth, and spirit  actual for the giving of life, and so 2 aspects with water as metaphor and the second as that which is actually imparted.  The first is negative and the second  positive, as in Titus 3.5; Ez 36.4-27. The water signifies the washing of regeneration, and the spirit is the renewing.  The dual metaphor view says both are positive acts, as water for the thirsty Isa 44.3 and wind breathing life to the dead Ez 37.9.  

Nic still struggles with it.  Jesus seems to chide him.  Maybe simply because he is a teacher.  This suggests that such is taught in the Old Testament.  What Jesus further states suggests that this new birth is the receiving of eternal life. 

There was a failure to make the connections or what the true need was.  Jesus is being cryptic and making connections such as his coming crucifixion with belief in him and receiving eternal life.  The crucifixion is analogous to the serpent on the pole.

Its possible that in James when it talks about observing oneself in a mirror 1.23-24, its speaks of seeing your new self in the word, but going away and forgetting how you ought to behave. This is compared to faith without works.  I know from Scripture I'm a new person, but I can fail to behave as such in my reactions, words spoken.  I can have faith to move mountains and yet fail to have love, 1 Cor 13.