NICODEMUS (nĭk'ō-dē'mŭs, Gr. Nikodēmos, victor over the people). A leading Pharisee, “a ruler of the Jews,” and a member of the Sanhedrin. Perhaps from curiosity, and possibly under conviction, but certainly led of God, he came to Jesus by night (John.3.1-John.3.14). He must have thought of himself as quite condescending to address Jesus, the young man from Galilee, as “Rabbi,” but Jesus, instead of being puffed up by the recognition, quickly made Nicodemus aware of his need by announcing the necessity of a new birth in order “to see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus did not then understand but was deeply touched, though he had not yet the courage to stand out for the Lord. Later, when at the [[Feast of Tabernacles]] (John.7.25-John.7.44) the Jewish leaders were planning to kill Jesus, Nicodemus spoke up, though timidly, in the Sanhedrin, suggesting their injustice in condemning a man without a fair trial. After the death of Jesus, however, Nicodemus came boldly with [[Joseph of Arimathea