John 3:2 Nicodemus calls Jesus, “Rabbi”

John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

 

Use of Rabbi in the Bible

abbi is used five times in John's gospel, and twice in Matthew’s. That’s it.

 

What is a Rabbi?

We’ll look at finding the meaning of the word, Rabbi, two different ways. Context and an online dictionary.

Context

Without using a dictionary, we can discover the meaning in John's gospel. The meaning is explicitly given from chapter one.

John 1:38

Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

Rabbi means master. What they are a master of is again, obvious from reading all the gospels. They were masters of Jewish law. 

If that's not good enough, then you can also get the meaning by the context of this verse, located in Matthew’s gospel:

Matthew 23:8

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

In context, Jesus uses two terms in the same sentence, using one to suggest the meaning of the other. I'm sure my college English professor would have some technical name for that discovery of meaning by context.

A Little Side-trip, but related to our topic, Rabbi..

Matthew 23:7

One little side-point to make from the Biblical point of view: the scribes & Pharisees highly desired being called, Rabbi or Master. As you read through the gospels, they revelled in that station of life. They also enjoyed being a Pharisee, too. xref, Luke 18:10-13.

Dictionary Definition

The Free Dictionary

n. pl. rab·bis 1. Abbr. R. A person trained in Jewish law, ritual, and tradition and ordained for leadership of a Jewish congregation, especially one serving as chief religious official of a synagogue. 2. A scholar qualified to interpret Jewish law.

[Middle Englishrabi, from Old French, from Late Latinrabb , master, from Greekrhabbi, O my master, from Hebrew and Aramaicrabbî, my master :rab, master (fromrab, to become great; seerbb in Semitic roots) +-î, my.]

The dictionary definition agrees with the Bible. Matthew 23:1-33 shows the great job the Pharisees did in performing their outward duties, while neglecting the inner man and their fellow-man.

In all this, they were being called, Rabbi, Rabbi. I liken this to the pop/music/movie stars of today, who love to hear their name called out from the crowds.

For Next Time, will go a little deeper into on John 3:2.

Nicodemus: Visitor by Night

John 3:2
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

     o, Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night.

Why at night? There are a few possible reasons. Emphasis on possible since none are specifically given in the Word of God for Nicodemus’ nocturnal visit. Since this is pure speculation, I would not consider any of these ideas to be the perfect truth. Nevertheless, thinking along these lines do provide an opportunity to mentally explore the potential reasons for the nocturnal visit. Then, perhaps, for a moment, put ourselves in Nicodemus’ shoes.

►Fear◄

Plain and simple. Fear has caused many to stand idly by, doing nothing. When the opportunity to step in and help someone who is being wronged, fear has kept many feet rooted and grounded, and mouths taped shut.  Fear has also caused many to do things under the cover of darkness, they would never do in the everyone-can-see-you-daylight.

Perhaps, in Nicodemus’ case, the fright stems from the fact that he sees in Jesus one who is truly beyond any man who’d come before. Nicodemus pretty much says so, in verse two: for one, he calls him, Rabbi, and secondly, he exclaims “…thou art a teacher come from God…” Thirdly, Nicodemus just says it aloud: “…no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.” This fountain of thought would put Nicodemus in direct opposition to most of his Pharisee colleagues. In his thinking towards Jesus, Nicodemus would realize the necessity of coming to Him without the distractions of other Pharisees trying to railroad Jesus’ ministry into oblivion.

►Busy Life◄

Another conjecture for the nighttime visit could be for convenience. As both Pharisee and Ruler, Nicodemus would have a very busy day. Nighttime may have been the only time Nicodemus could meet with the Lord. Secondly, it may have been the only time he could give Jesus his entire, undivided attention. [Kevin’s Komment: whether this is a true reason for his nocturnal visit or not, it does apply to us: meet with the Lord when we can give Him all of our attention. If no time is suitable, then schedule it in! {Secondary-Kevin’s Komment: yeah, I need to swallow my own medicine on that note }]

►Expedience◄

Perhaps,knowing that Jesus’ days were filled to the brim, along with all that Nicodemus had seen Him do and heard Him say, he decided to get to the Lord as soon as feasible. Why? Jesus travelled…much. Therefore, it may have crossed Nicodemus’ mind, or perhaps was prompted by the Lord’s invisible Presence, burning and speaking within his heart, that if he was going to talk to Jesus, it had better be tonight.

John 3.1 NICODEMUS: THE PHARISEE, THE RULER

Nicodemus (Nic) mentioned in the Word of God
     He is only mentioned by name in the gospel of John. Three of the five mentions are in chapter 3: verses 1, 4, and 9. Then, in chapter 7.50, and in chapter 19 verse 39.
Meaning
      Scofield Bible: does not really give a meaning to his name, but only lists the references of where his name is found, and also, that he was a Pharisee and a ruler. That much we know from verse one.
     Hitchcock's Bible Names: the definition given is victory of the people. I'm still working on understanding how Nic's name and its meaning relates to the passage, or any in which he is mentioned. Perhaps it does not. I have learned that what does not make sense to me now, may later become illuminated with further study. We shall see.
Occupation
      Verse 1 is rather obscure on this point (not!): Nic was a Pharisee and a ruler. 
      A pharisee, according to Hitchcock's, is set apart.
      From the FreeDictionary, we get the following definition:
     a member of an ancient Jewish group that carefully observed the written law but also accepted the oral, or traditional, law, advocated democratization of religious practices, etc
    Of course, the best way to get the meaning of Pharisee, is to read thru the gospels and Acts of the Apostles, and understand it from the context.
     He was also a ruler. A leader and one in authority, but over who, and how much authority? Sticking to John's gospel, we know that he had enough  authority to sway the decision of other Pharisees (John 7.50). He has enough authority to walk the street at night and visit Jesus. In fact, he may have been sent as a delegate. Note v2, and his use of the word, 'we.'
      In these two positions, the common people would have looked up to him, and possibly admired him.  He would have been well versed in Old Testament scripture, and it was expected of him to guide others, either correctly or incorrectly. Note the many exchanges between Jesus & the Pharisees in this and all the other gospels.
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Until next time,
K.

Pre-John 3 Notes

I’m reading through the book of John. I’m also reading through a commentary on John’s gospel by Sam Gipp,

Here’s the link: "Practical and Theological Study of the Gospel"

My goal for the next day and possibly again over the next weekend, is to make some notes that are based on his commentary, along with some other items of interest regarding the exchange between Jesus and Nicodemus. The first 18 verses of chapter 3 will be the focus of my study.

This study has gone much further than I anticipated, even though I’ve read this passage many times throughout life. I am:

• learning more about Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, and how the Lord mastered the conversation
• making connections to other scriptures that I had not noticed, either.
• I’m making connections of words and phrases within this passage I had not noticed before.

Even in such familiar passages as this, there is often more to be gleaned, each and every time I return to God’s Word. Even though I should not be surprised, I am, anyway. I consider this a good thing.  

This is not going to be a book review. I’m not looking to qualify Mr. Gipp’s writing. I’m not critiquing his work. I’m enjoying this book, and simply using this blog to make notes. No plagiarism will be occurring. I do suggest,  that if you’d like to study from it, order yourself a copy.

Again, this study is going to be my notes based on what Mr. Gipp has written, and more importantly, what God has written. My premise regarding the Bible is that God is right, period. His Word supersedes my own notes, is far superior to commentaries from others (including Mr. Gipp’s). Put another way: In Genesis 3, the serpent (Satan) asked Eve, “Yea, hath God said…?” I say, “YEA!!  God most assuredly hath said!!” So, if something I say is not in line with the Word of God, God always' wins. I plead no contest. His Word is forever settled in Heaven. (now, where have I heard that before?)

Until next time, whether its tomorrow, or next weekend…