The Serpent and the Shadow
A Portrait of Nicodemus

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Author’s note

Nicodemus is one of the most shadowy figures in the New Testament. He appears only three times, all of them in the Gospel of John (3:1-21; 7:45-52; 19:38-42) and there are no reliable extra biblical sources about him. Even so, what we do know is remarkable: he is a Pharisee, a rabbi, truly seeking the Messiah and the Kingdom of Heaven. He stands up for Jesus before the Sanhedrin and finally helps bury the true King of the Jews. But amidst this flow of information the man Nicodemus is just a shimmering shade. Who was he? What were his relations, job, tribe? And most important, did he believe? This portrait has tried to capture a picture of this man. Because of the lack of information most of what is written here is fictitious, but the real goal is to draw a picture of Jesus, called the Christ, using the medium of Nicodemus.

I. Rumors

“Shema Israel Adonai Alohenu Adonai ehod.“[1] The quiet rumbling came from deep within the chest of the worshipper as he recited his morning prayers on the roof of his house just before dawn. He wore the robes of a rich man. The phylacteries, the prayer boxes attached to long leather bands, were carefully wrapped around his right arm and forehead. He wore a long prayer shawl on his head, the edges adorned with tassels. He finished his prayers and carefully removed the prayer boxes, putting them back in the pouch he kept them in. After that he left the roof and descended into the rear courtyard, heading for the morning meal.
     “Good morning, rabbi!“ He waved his hand in half-recognition, pondering on the things in the weeks passed. He pulled on his long, graying beard as he entered the low doorway into the room where the meal was laid out by his servants. He quickly went through the ritual washing before reclining at the table.
     “Good morning, Abba[2]!“
     “Eh, what’s that?“ He looked up to see his eldest son, Malachi, standing in front of him. “Good morning, good morning.“ The father pulled on his beard again. That — that Baptizer, that was what bothered him. The rumors of the Kingdom of Heaven being near.
     “Prepare the way!“ the rabbi muttered into his beard and got up without having touched any of the food. Best send someone to check it out.
     “Abba, will you be here when the wares arrive?“ Malachi cut into his thoughts.
     “Huh? No — no, I need to get to the synagogue. So many questions...“ The rest of it was lost in his beard as he walked out of the room.

     “Good morning, rabbi!“ the students called as they saw him enter the building. He just waved a hand, pulled on his beard and went towards his customary place.
     “Nicodemus!“ He looked up and a smile crossed his face.
     “Joseph! It has been some time.“ He embraced his friend in the customary way and the two of them sat down a bit away from the students, whose constant buzz from reciting made conversation difficult.
     “What brings you here?“ Nicodemus asked.
     “I got a message from some friends concerning the Baptizer.“
     “And?“
     “Well, we’ve decided to send a delegation down to see them. I wanted to know if you might go along.“
     “You’re going?“ the rabbi asked his friend.
     “Yes, I wouldn’t miss seeing this — this prophet for anything.“ Nicodemus pulled on his beard thoughtfully.
     “So you think he is a prophet.“
     “Yes, and you?“
     “I’m not sure ... not sure. There are so many things happening that I don’t know what to do or say. I heard that the Baptizer is proclaiming the Messiah.“ Joseph’s dark eyes sparkled as he ran a hand over his short beard.
     “He is! Some say that he is the Messiah.“
     “Hm. I wouldn’t be so sure of that,“ the teacher mused. Then he scanned his students.
     “Reuel!“ One young man with clean, clear features looked up. He couldn’t be much older than nineteen or twenty. He quickly left the circle of students who were gathered around the other rabbi’s feet and stood in front of the two older men.
     “Reuel, I want you to go with Joseph and see about the Baptizer. If I know my colleagues,“ here he smiled secretively, “they will have already prepared a delegation. You should both join them, but, Reuel, I want you to report back to me personally, understood?“
     “Yes, Rabbi Nicodemus,“ the young man answered, his features fairly glowing with delight. The rabbi dismissed him and turned back to his friend.
     “I would like to know your impression also, friend Joseph,“ he said in an even tone. “If the Messiah is near, then the days of the Goyim’s[3] power over us are numbered!“ Joseph smiled, rose, and bid his friend farewell.

     “Master Nicodemus.“ The rabbi looked up from his scroll, irritated. A servant girl was standing there.
     “Yes, child, what is it?“
     “Reuel would like to see you, sir.“
     “Ah, yes.“ Nicodemus rose and left the room, walking out into the balmy evening air. He paused and took a look at the house. Why did Abba have to build this house like the Goyim have theirs? he wondered again. He would have chosen a place somewhere in the country, away from the sweltering heat of Jerusalem, but as a member of the Sanhedrin and as the only son among nine sisters, he inherited the property and was forced to stay here. Oh well, there were some things in life that wouldn’t change, even if the Messiah came.
     Reuel was already waiting on the roof of the house for him. Excitement colored his face and he could hardly stand still. Nicodemus motioned him towards a bench of marble that his father had put up here. They both sat down.
     “Tell me, Reuel, what happened,“ the older man prompted. The young man smiled and began to recount the happenings of the last days.
     “We came down to the Bethany beyond Jordan, where the Baptizer was baptizing at the time. There were some priests and Levites along with us. I tell you that man is wild! It is said that he is a Nazarite and you can tell that by the length of his hair! He wore a rough cloak of camel hair and had a thick leather belt around his waist. He looked like someone really wild!“
     “Yes, yes,“ Nicodemus cut in, “but what about the questions?“ The student thought for a moment.
     “Ah, right, the priests and Levites asked him who he was. He said that he wasn’t the Messiah. When they questioned him if he was Elijah or the Prophet, he also said no to that. Then they said, ‘Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’[4]
     “‘I am the voice of one calling in the desert, “Make straight the way for the Lord,“[5] was his answer.“
     “Isaiah,“ Nicodemus muttered into his beard.
     “What?“
     “Nothing. Go on.“
     “After that Simon asked him why he was baptizing if he wasn’t any of those people. He gave a really strange answer.
     “‘I baptize with water,’ he said, ‘but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’[6] That wasn’t enough for most of us, so we stayed around until the next day. Suddenly the Baptizer pointed to the road, where a traveler was coming along, out of the wilderness. The Baptizer cried out, ‘Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant, when I said, “A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.“ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.’“[7]
     “So, the Baptizer is preparing the way...“ the rabbi mused into his beard.
     “But Rabbi, he wasn’t finished,“ Reuel continued excitedly. “He then said, ‘I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.“ I have seen and I testify that this is the son of God.’[8] That was what he said.“ The young man suddenly looked very perplexed. “Rabbi, what did he mean by ‘Son of God?’“
     “Hm, someone of close kin to God, for all I can tell,“ Nicodemus answered a bit impatiently. “Thank you, Reuel, you may go. I will think about what you have said.“ The young man bid his teacher farewell and was escorted out of the large house by a servant. Nicodemus sat until the wee hours of the night, pondering what he had heard from his student. Could it be that the Messiah had come?

II. Visit by Night

Nicodemus grumbled to himself as he left the Sanhedrin, constantly pulling on his beard. He only greeted his close friends, before heading towards home. It was that Jesus of Nazareth. The high priests were indignant about what had happened at the temple that morning. Nicodemus had been there. He’d seen the young Man enter, followed by several others and look around the temple. He could see the color rise in the face as an angry frown replaced the smile that had been on the Nazarene’s face only a minute before. Jesus angrily strode into the temple courts and stopped, staring around at the churning, bargaining masses in the Court of the Gentiles. Then the old teacher watched him bend and pick up a piece of rope dropped by one of the merchants. With deft movements the carpenter split open one end of the rope and turned it into a whip. Then he strode up to the table of a money changer, who was just counting out coins for one of the worshippers. Astonishment washed over his face as suddenly the table vanished from in front of him and flew across the way into another one. In an instant the whole court was in confusion as Jesus of Nazareth overturned tables, tore open the pens of sacrificial animals and broke the cages of doves. The whip in his hand whistled over the heads of the animals and they stampeded towards the gates. The Nazarene’s voice thundered through the temple.
     “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!“[9] Nicodemus then joined some of the other Pharisees and priests that shouldered their way through the crowds. They halted in front of the angry young Man.
     “What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?“[10] a priest demanded. Jesus looked at him critically, yet lovingly.
     “Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days.“[11] Nicodemus couldn’t suppress a smile as he heard another priest’s answer.
     “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple and you are going to raise it again in three days?!“[12] The crowd dispersed, chuckling at the insanity of this young man, but as Nicodemus walked home from the Sanhedrin, he couldn’t help but admire Jesus. Here was one man who was willing to stand up against the corrupt government of the Sadducees. That was a blow in their face and should put Jesus up several notches in any Pharisee’s rating. The rabbi thought of the rumors of miracles worked by this man. He smiled to himself as he thought of the water turned to wine at Nathanael’s wedding, that Malachi had told him about. There was so much that puzzled him about this man. The Sadducees were after him now, because of what happened at the temple. His teaching alarmed the Pharisees, because he had an authority that came from his very person, not from the ancient rabbis. I must speak to him, Nicodemus thought to himself.
     “Shalom[13], rabbi,“ he heard someone call. Ah, yes there was Nathan, one of his students.
     “Nathan,“ he called, motioning the young man over towards himself.
     “Yes, sir?“
     “I want you to do something for me. Will you find out where this Jesus of Nazareth is staying?“ Nathan’s eyes grew wide.
     “Jesus of Nazareth?“
     “You heard me, Nathan, now please go.“ The young man gaped at his teacher for another moment, before scuttling off into the crowd. That’s likely to stir up some questions in him, Nicodemus thought with a smile.

     Evening found the rabbi sitting on his roof, looking out over the city. Out there, somewhere Jesus of Nazareth was, with answers to the questions that Nicodemus had. Could he be the Messiah? Nicodemus suddenly found himself wondering. Could it really be that the Kingdom of Heaven is near? How can I enter the Kingdom? There was only one way to find out. To go out into the shadows and visit Jesus, hoping that no one would notice. If they found out it would cause a stir among his friends, but even if they knew, no one would be able to call him a coward for going when it was dark, him the ultimate night-owl, who had often sat and discussed with Gamaliel until the sun came up. I’ll go, he finally decided, but first he changed his rich robes for some simpler ones he kept for traveling. At least this way I won’t be noticed so easily. With that he let himself out of a side door and disappeared into the night.

     Nicodemus was more than surprised by the young rabbi, Jesus, son of Joseph. There was no way to feel disdain for this man who stood before him, with a calm, welcoming gaze. He was dressed in the customary style of Galilee and his callused hands clearly showed that he was used to work. His hair and beard were trimmed short, but still made Nicodemus involuntarily think of the wild Baptizer. It seemed that this man’s mouth was quick to smile and his eyes sparkled in a way that the older man had never seen before. Wisdom was there, also love and knowledge. There was something about him that made Nicodemus instantly wonder, Could he be the Messiah? But then he changed his mind. Even if he is, I’d better be careful. No need in starting any crazy rumors.
     “Rabbi,“ he began slowly, “we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.“[14] Jesus looked into his eyes gently and smiled. It came easily and strangely warmed the older man’s heart.
     “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.“[15] Nicodemus suddenly was shocked. Can he read my mind? What does he mean by born again?
     “How can a person be born when he is old?“ Nicodemus wondered, pulling on his beard. “He can’t enter again into his mother’s womb to be born, can he?!“[16] Preposterous!
     “I tell you the truth,“ Jesus continued gently, “No one can enter the kingdom of God  unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. Don’t be surprised that I said, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases and you can hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.[17] That is how it is with everyone who has been born of the Spirit.[18]“ The older teacher shook his head and pulled on his beard. I don’t get this, he told himself. How come I can’t get into the Kingdom by the works prescribed by the law? What is all this about being born of the Spirit?
     “How is all this possible?“[19] exploded from him in frustration. Jesus sighed and looked at him a bit sadly and maybe even a bit frustrated.
     “You’re the teacher of Israel, and yet you don’t understand this?“ There was a tone of resignation in the young Rabbi’s voice. “I tell you the truth, we speak of things we know and testify about what we have seen — yet you people still don not accept what we say! I’ve told you about earthly things and you don’t believe. How then will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?[20]“ Jesus sighed and continued in a gentler tone, as one used in speaking to a frightened child.
     “No one has risen into heaven except the one who came down from heaven — the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, in the same way the Son of Man must be lifted up. And whoever believes in him will receive eternal life. For God loved the world so much, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life...“[21]

III. Defendant’s Counselor

The merchant’s home was quiet and Joseph was almost worried that his friend had died. Still he worked up enough courage to knock on the gate. The door was opened by one of the servants who instantly recognized the rich man from Arimathea.
     “Shalom, Master Joseph, come in,“ the servant said with a bow and the man entered.
     “Is your master at home?“
     “Yes, sir, he is on the roof of the inner court. Shall I announce you?“
     “No, no, I know the way. I need to talk to him privately anyway.“ The servant bowed and disappeared into the shadows of the house. Joseph slowly walked through the atrium, as always marveling at the beautiful architecture of the house that Nicodemus’ father had constructed. It was built according to Roman style, but there was nothing unclean to be found here. The hovels that had stood here before were cleared away and the people who lived there had been generously given a plot of land to farm in the hills of Judea that once belonged to Nicodemus’ family. Joseph shook his head. The old man had almost been too generous with his money, so that much of the fortune was gone by the time his friend had inherited it. Oh well, it was still more than enough to exist comfortably.
     He climbed the stairs and walked along roof to where he saw a figure leaning on the balustrade, looking down into the courtyard. The man heard Joseph’s quiet footfall and turned suddenly.
     “Joseph!“ A smile slid across Nicodemus’ face. Joseph’s portrayed shock.
     “Nicodemus, what happened to you?“ The once almost black beard was now fully gray, his hair had also turned quite gray and was nearing white.
     “Oh, its those things that Jesus said to me, Joseph. I can’t get them out of my head and the more I ponder them, the less I sleep and the older I get.“ The rabbi smiled again. “It is an intriguing story about what happened. I already told you about the long talk I had with Jesus. Since then I sent Stephen to check out his background and I have been studying the Scriptures. There are many interesting things there, that I hadn’t noticed before about the Messiah. Could it be that the rabbis were wrong...?“
     “Wrong about what?“
     “About Isaiah. The Son of Joseph, the rejected Messiah.“ Nicodemus shook his head. “If only I knew. But listen to what I found out: Stephen reported to me that Jesus wasn’t even born in Nazareth, but in Bethlehem, and according to his mother Joseph Bar-Jacob wasn’t even his physical father. She claims that an angel appeared to her announcing Jesus’ birth and that she would be pregnant as a virgin.“ The rabbi pulled on his beard and shook his head again. “I can’t understand it. I wonder if Isaiah was pointing towards something like that when he said that the virgin would be with child. Still, my friend, I shouldn’t worry you with these things. How have you been?“ Joseph then told about the last years since he’d seen his friend. Much of what he told was of Jesus.
     “So you have been following him,“ Nicodemus surmised.
     “Yes and no. I am impressed with his teaching.“
     “So am I, so am I. It is strange. I have tried keeping some of what he spoke of and it has transformed so many things about my life. I almost feel that I have found peace.“
     “One of the most interesting things about him is his attitude towards women.“ Nicodemus looked up curiously. “It — he — he treats them like they were equals. They have worth to him, even the prostitutes.“ The rabbi began stroking his beard as his friend continued, “I have tried acting that way toward my wife — and it has changed everything between us. At first we just talked, now we speak to each other. I am amazed, but after all these years I’ve realized that I don’t know her. She has so much understanding even in things of the law. God was right when he called her a helper.“ Nicodemus shook his head incredulously.
     “That can’t be. You can’t give the law into the hands of a woman. She was tempted first. It — it can’t be. And after all, this Jesus, he doesn’t keep the law and the traditions, does he?“
     “He keeps the law all right, but not the traditions. I see you have been away too long, Nicodemus. You should have heard what he said about the traditions the other day! He said that we annul the law through our traditions.“
     “What?!?“
     “Yes, for him the traditions don’t have the same position as the law. You know I remember him once saying the he would fulfill the law.“ The redness had drained from Nicodemus face again and he suddenly looked very thoughtful.
     “I think perhaps you and I should go to the Sanhedrin,“ he finally said. “I want to speak with Gamaliel. He often has good insights into things like this.“ Joseph nodded and the two men left for the Council chambers.

     The whole place was in an uproar as the two men entered, the members of the High Council loudly discussing among themselves. Joseph and Nicodemus took their places without being noticed and Nicodemus bent towards Gamaliel, the only one who was silent.
     “What is going on here?“ he wanted to know.
     “It’s that Jesus of Nazareth again,“ his friend answered. “He has been claiming to be the Almighty himself.“ He shook his head. “Preposterous! The things he’s said. Of course you wouldn’t know, you weren’t at the temple yesterday. Caiaphas sent some soldiers to arrest him and bring him here for questioning — and here they come.“ Sixteen soldiers marched into the room. Caiaphas leaned forward.
     “Well, where is he? Why didn’t you bring him with you?“
     “Nobody ever spoke like this man does![22]“ the commander answered, staring the high priest into the face.
     “What?!“ the shriek came from Caiaphas’ father-in-law Hannas. “Have you, too, been deceived? Have any of the authorities believed in him?[23]“
     “Have any of the Pharisees?“ demanded one of them called Elikam[24]. “This mob that doesn’t know the law at all is cursed![25]“ The color began to rise in Nicodemus’ face. What is going on here? Are they all possessed? What about the law? He suddenly stood up.
     “Does our law judge a man before first giving him a hearing and learning what he is doing?[26]“ he thundered into the crowd. He paused for a moment to take a breath. Elikam spun around and leveled a withering gaze at the rabbi.
     “You aren’t from Galilee, too, are you?[27]“ he demanded with biting sarcasm in his voice. “Look into it — no prophet has ever come from Galilee.[27]” That made all of the members of the council begin yell at Nicodemus. He stood there, like a sore thumb, face red with anger and eyes flashing. He wanted to tell them that Jesus was right about them, but no — now wasn’t the time.
     “Council is adjourned!“ Caiaphas thundered over the din. Nicodemus spun around and strode towards the exit. As he passed through the hall to the court, someone pulled on his sleeve. He turned to see Gamaliel. A look of worry was on the face of his friend.
     “Are you sure that was so wise, Nicodemus?“ he asked.
     “Yes.“ He was still seething. “Jesus is right. We are all hypocrites. We don’t know the Scriptures. Look at what Elikam said to me,“ he mocked the nasal voice of his party compatriot, “‘Look into it — no prophet has come from Galilee.’ And what about Jonah and Nahum? ‘Look into it’ indeed.“ He shook his head disdainfully.
     “Don’t judge them too hard, my friend,“ Gamaliel warned. “They were angry.“
     “What do you think I am? I wanted to tell them to their faces what I just told you. I’m just too ashamed of being one myself, Gamaliel. I am a hypocrite. I keep the minute details of the law and I don’t care about the people. That is going to change right now, and if it costs me my place in the Sanhedrin. Jesus is right!“ With that he shook the other rabbi’s hand off his sleeve and stormed out of the courtyard.