King James Bible
"There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:"
John introduces a member of the Pharisees, a Jewish religious party known for strict adherence to the Law and oral traditions. This detail immediately signals that Jesus' upcoming conversation will engage with established religious authority and interpretation. The specific naming of Nicodemus (Greek for 'victory of the people') personalizes this encounter, distinguishing him from anonymous Pharisees who often opposed Jesus. John's Gospel uniquely features Nicodemus three times, suggesting his particular importance to the narrative. This phrase indicates Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish council with religious and civil authority. His high status emphasizes the significance of his seeking out Jesus and foreshadows the tension between earthly and spiritual authority in their dialogue.