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Lenten Season · Second Sunday in Lent · Year A

John 3:1-17 or Matthew 17:1-9

Nicodemus and the New Birth

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
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelJohn 3:1-17Jn 3:1-17 orMatt. 17:1-9Mt 17:1-9
EpistleRom. 4:1-5, 13-17Rom 4:1-5, 13-17
Old TestamentGen. 12:1-4aGn 12:1-4a
PsalterPs. 121Ps 121

Overview & Insights

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

Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night with a question about signs, and Jesus answers with a claim about being born from above that Nicodemus cannot follow. Jesus then widens the conversation from one puzzled teacher to the whole world that God so loves.

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Take it further: John 3:1-17 or Matthew 17:1-9

Commentary

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

Working Preacher's Year A commentary reads Nicodemus's night visit as the start of an unfinished journey toward the light.

John 3:1-17 CommentaryJn 3:1-17 Commentary CEP (cepreaching.org)

The Center for Excellence in Preaching draws out the contrast between what Nicodemus knows and what he cannot yet see.

John 3 Bible CommentaryJn 3 Bible Commentary Enduring Word

David Guzik's chapter commentary moves verse by verse from new birth to the lifted-up serpent to John 3:16.

John 3 ResourcesJn 3 Resources Precept Austin

Precept Austin's John 3 resources gather verse-level notes on new birth and belief.

John 3 - Barnes' NotesJn 3 - Barnes' Notes StudyLight

Barnes' Notes explains the Jewish background of being born anothen, from above or again.

John 3:16 CommentariesJn 3:16 Commentaries BibleHub

BibleHub aggregates classic commentaries verse by verse on the Nicodemus dialogue.

Born From Above, Lent 2 (A) Sermons That Work (Episcopal Church)

This Episcopal preaching resource for Lent 2A works directly from the new-birth image Jesus gives Nicodemus.

Lent 2, Year A, RCL The Lectionary Page

The Lectionary Page lays out the full Year A propers for the day so the gospel is read alongside its companion texts.

Lectionary essay for March 1, Lent 2A, John 3:1-17Lectionary essay for March 1, Lent 2A, Jn 3:1-17 The Christian Century

The Christian Century's lectionary column reads Nicodemus's approach by night as itself part of the story's meaning.

Background & Word Study

John 3:16 InterlinearJn 3:16 Interlinear BibleHub

The Greek interlinear shows how pneuma carries both wind and Spirit in Jesus's answer to Nicodemus.

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

BibleProject's overview of John 1-12 places the Nicodemus scene inside the Gospel's pattern of signs and misunderstood conversations.

Church Fathers

John 3 CatenaJn 3 Catena Catena

Catena gathers patristic comment on being born of water and the Spirit verse by verse.

Sunday-wide

John 3:1-17 Study HubJn 3:1-17 Study Hub Textweek

Textweek's study hub collects sermons, commentary and worship resources across traditions for this Sunday's full set of readings.

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 or Matthew 17:1-9.

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