Pentecost Season · Holy Cross · Year B
John 3:13-17
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
September 14, 2027
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
John 3:13-17 (Gospel) Working Preacher
Weekly exegesis of this reading by a named seminary scholar.
John 3 Commentary: The New Birth Enduring Word
David Guzik's chapter commentary covering the Son of Man being lifted up, quoted in this reading.
John 3 Commentary Precept Austin
A verse by verse evangelical commentary on Nicodemus and the lifted-up Son of Man.
John 3:14-21 Commentary (2024) Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary on the Lent 4 reading that shares this text's verses 14-17.
John 3:14-21 Commentary (2021) Center for Excellence in Preaching
A second Reformed commentary on the same overlapping verses, discussing the Numbers 21 typology this Holy Cross reading is paired with.
Commentary on John 3:14-21 (Lent 4B) Working Preacher
Luther Seminary's commentary on the Lent 4 gospel, a different page from the Holy Cross commentary already listed, covering the same 'lifted up' verses.
John 3:14-21 Commentary (2018) Center for Excellence in Preaching
A third Reformed commentary on the overlapping Lent 4 text, adding further perspective on verses 14-17.
Background & Word Study
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Why is this read on Holy Cross Day?
Jesus tells Nicodemus that “as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up” (John 3:14). The bronze serpent of Numbers 21 becomes a sign of the cross: all who look in faith to the crucified and risen Christ are healed and given eternal life. The reading holds John 3:16, the gospel in miniature.
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