John 3:1

ἦν δὲ ἄνθ. Now there was a man. The δέ marks the connexion with what precedes: Nicodemus was one of the ‘many’ who believed on beholding His signs (John 2:23). Ἄνθρωπος probably refers to John 2:25, as in John 1:6 to John 1:4; Nicodemus was a sample of that humanity whose inmost being Jesus could read. Else we should expect τις.

Νικόδημος. He is mentioned only by S. John. It is impossible to say whether he is the Nicodemus (Nakedimon), or Bunai, of the Talmud, who survived the destruction of Jerusalem. Love of truth and fear of man, candour and hesitation, seem to be combined in him. Comp. John 7:50. In John 19:39 his timidity is again noted and illustrated.

ἄρχων. A member of the Sanhedrin (John 7:50 : comp. John 12:42; Luke 23:13; Luke 24:20), which was opposed to Jesus; hence, to avoid compromising himself (John 12:42), he comes by night. We do not know whether S. John was present; probably he was. Nicodemus would not be afraid of disciples.