John 3:1,2 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

There was a man of the Pharisees Belonging to the sect so called. What is here related, doubtless, occurred while our Lord was attending at Jerusalem to keep the passover, as is mentioned in the latter part of the preceding chapter: a ruler of the Jews A member of the great council, termed the sanhedrim, John 7:50. The same came to Jesus With desire of receiving instruction from him in divine things, but came privately, and by night Through shame, and fear of his brethren of the council, who from the very beginning of Christ's ministry were his enemies. And said unto him, Rabbi Giving him the title of respect with which it was usual to address the Jewish doctors; we know that thou art a teacher come from God Namely, with an extraordinary commission. It is probable that the expression, we know, signifies no more here than it is known, for, as Dr. Whitby justly observes, Nicodemus could not say with truth, that his brethren, the Pharisees and rulers, knew Christ to be a teacher come from God; for it appears from chap. John 7:48, that none of them believed on him. For no man can do these miracles that thou doest Miracles so beneficial and divine; except God be with him In an extraordinary manner, investing him with power from on high. Here, 1st, We are assured of the truth of Christ's miracles, and that they were not counterfeit and fictitious. For Nicodemus, a judicious, sensible, inquisitive man, one that had all the reason and opportunity imaginable to examine them, was so fully satisfied they were miracles, that he was induced by them to go contrary to his interest, and the stream of those of his own rank, who were prejudiced against Christ. 2d, We are directed what inference to draw from Christ's miracles; we are, therefore, to receive him as a teacher come from God. His miracles were his credentials. The course of nature could not have been altered, but by the power of the God of nature, who, we are sure, is the God of truth and goodness, and would never set his seal to a lie or a cheat. Nicodemus's acknowledgment, that Jesus was a teacher come from God, and his applying to him under that character, implied that he came with a desire to receive from Christ's own mouth a particular account, both of the doctrine which he taught, and of the kingdom which he declared God was about to erect. Our Lord's answer intimates, that he either expressly made, or secretly intended, such an inquiry; and it is impossible to enter into the beauty of the following discourse without considering the matter in this light.