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Lent · Second Sunday in Lent · Year A

John 3:1-17

Jesus Teaches Nicodemus

March 1, 2026

Nicodemus Visiting Jesus, Henry Ossawa Tanner
Nicodemus Visiting Jesus, Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1899Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia
Tanner, the first African American painter to win international standing, paints the meeting on a Palestinian rooftop at night, lit in blues and golds, with Nicodemus leaning forward out of the dark.He came to Jesus by night: the reading makes a point of the hour, and Tanner painted the hour.Henry Ossawa TannerAn American painter (1859-1937), son of a minister of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, who settled in France and became the first African-American artist to win international standing.Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, PhiladelphiaThe oldest art museum and school in the United States, founded in 1805, where Tanner studied under Thomas Eakins.Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelJohn 3:1-17Jn 3:1-17
EpistleRom. 4:1-8, 13-17Rom 4:1-8, 13-17
Old TestamentGen. 12:1-9Gn 12:1-9
PsalterPs. 121Ps 121

Overview & Insights

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Nicodemus is introduced as a particular example of the “believers” mentioned in 2:23–25. As a “ member of the Jewish ruling council ” and “ Israel’s teacher ” (vv. 1, 10), he is perhaps not wholly typical of the group, though later indications are that leaders of the people were indeed conspicuous among these so-called believers (12:42). It is probably out of fear that Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night. Speaking perhaps for the larger group, he makes a confession that puts the narrator’s summary (2:23) into his own words: Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him (v. 2).

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Commentary

Commentary on John 3:1-17Commentary on Jn 3:1-17 Working Preacher

The Lutheran lectionary voice on the Trinity Sunday Gospel.

John 3 CommentaryJn 3 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse by verse study of the new birth and God's love for the world.

John 3:1 CommentariesJn 3:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators gathered on Jesus and Nicodemus.

John 3 CommentaryJn 3 Commentary Precept Austin

Detailed study notes and cross references on the chapter.

Barnes' Notes: John 3Barnes' Notes: Jn 3 StudyLight

A historic verse by verse commentary on the passage.

Background & Word Study

Gospel of John Overview (Part 1)Gospel of Jn Overview (Part 1) BibleProject

Animated overview of the first half of John's Gospel.

John 3:1 InterlinearJn 3:1 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word of the night visit of Nicodemus.

The Church Fathers

John 3 - CatenaJn 3 - Catena Catena

A chain of patristic comment on John 3 from the Church Fathers.

Podcast

#1071: Second Sunday in Lent - March 1, 2026 Working Preacher (Sermon Brainwave)

Luther Seminary’s homiletics roundtable on this Sunday’s appointed texts, including John 3:1-17.

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