Christ's discourse with Nicodemus

[2] For fear of the Jewish authorities a ruler in Israel, Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees, comes by night to see Jesus.

Any meetings with Jesus would have jeopardized a Pharisee's position and reputation, and so this may have the reason for him coming by night.

[3] This new birth that Jesus speaks of is thought to allude to Hosea 2:1, “Ye shall be called the sons of the living God.”[citation needed] The wind is compared to the Holy Spirit in verse 8 of the discourse.

Roger Baxter, in his Meditations, reflects on moral quality of Nicodemus' timidity: Nicodemus being a man of high character, among his fellow citizens, and afraid of the censures of the world, came during the night, for instructions to Christ.

He came in this private manner, "for fear of the Jews", for his mind probably revolted at the idea of appearing among the unlettered and poor disciples of the Man-God.

(Luke 9:26)[5] German theologian Justus Knecht highlights two doctrinal points that come from this narrative: 1.