Pentecost Season · Trinity Sunday · Year B
John 3:1-17
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
May 23, 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
Working Preacher, Trinity Sunday Year B, John 3:1-17 Working Preacher
Lutheran lectionary commentary written for this exact Gospel on Trinity Sunday in Year B.
John 3:1-17 (Center for Excellence in Preaching) Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary that works through the Nicodemus dialogue for the preacher.
Enduring Word: John Chapter 3 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical commentary covering the whole born-again exchange.
Precept Austin: John 3 Commentary Precept Austin
Deep verse-by-verse study gathering many conservative commentators on John 3.
BibleHub Commentaries: John 3:1 BibleHub
Aggregates classic commentaries (Ellicott, Barnes, Pulpit, and more) verse by verse.
Understanding the Trinity, Trinity Sunday (B) Sermons That Work · Episcopal Church
Episcopal Sermons That Work model sermon for this Gospel on Trinity Sunday.
Background & Word Study
BibleHub Interlinear: John 3 BibleHub
Greek interlinear for the chapter, useful for the wordplay on anothen (born again or from above).
Enter the Bible: John Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary book introduction giving structure and themes of the Fourth Gospel.
BibleProject: Gospel of John Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of John's literary design and theology to frame the passage.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
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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