Nicodemus

True to his name, Nicodemus defended Christ before his peers (John 7:51 ) who were unaware that one of their number might have believed in Him (John 7:48 ). Their response is a twofold rebuke which may be paraphrased “Are you a Galilean peasant?” and “Are you ignorant of the Scriptures?” (John 7:52 ).

The reference to Nicodemus' initial coming at night highlights his later public participation in Jesus' burial (John 19:39-41 ). Nicodemus' contribution was enough aloes and spices to prepare a king for burial, and so he did. On one level, the burial was a simple act of Pharisaic piety (compare Tobit 1:17 ). On a deeper level, it recognized that in His suffering and death, Christ fulfilled His role as King of the Jews.