{Nicodemus} (Nikod(886d)os). Not heard from since chapter 3
when he timidly came to Jesus by night. Now he boldly protests
against the injustice of condemning Jesus unheard. He appears
once more (and only in John) in 19:39 with Joseph of Arimathea
as a secret disciple of Jesus. He is a Pharisee and a member of
the Sanhedrin and his present act is courageous. {Saith}
(legei). Dramatic present active indicative as in 2:3 .
{Before} (proteron). This is genuine, a reference to the visit
in chapter 3, but
uktos (by night) is not genuine here. {Being
one of them} (heis (936e) ex aut(936e)). As a member of the Sanhedrin
he takes up the challenge in verse 48 . He is both ruler and
Pharisee.
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