John 3:2

πρὸς αὐτόν for πρ. τὸν Ἰησοῦν (a correction for clearness at the beginning of a lection: comp. John 4:16; John 4:46; John 6:14; John 8:21; John 11:45).

2. οὗτος. S. John’s use, to recall a previous subject; comp. John 1:2; John 1:7; John 1:42; John 4:47; John 6:71; John 21:24.

νυκτός. This proved his timidity and illustrated his spiritual condition; he was coming out of the night to the Light of men, as Judas went out from Him into the night (see on John 13:30; John 10:22; John 18:1; John 21:19 and Introduction, chap. v. § 3). Jesus welcomes him; He does not quench the smoking flax.

οἴδαμεν. Others also are inclined to believe, and he claims a share in their enlightenment; but there is a touch of Pharisaic complacency in the word: ‘some of us are quite disposed to think well of you.’ The report of the deputation sent to the Baptist (John 1:19-28) and Christ’s signs have to this extent influenced even members of the Sanhedrin. On Ῥαββί see John 1:39; John 4:31.

ἀπὸ θεοῦ. First for emphasis; it was from God that His commission to be a Rabbi came, not from having gone through the ordinary training (John 7:15-16). Does ‘art come from God’ indicate the Messiah, ὁ ἐρχόμενος? If so, Nicodemus again shews his weakness; he begins with admitting Messiahship and ends with the vague word διδάσκαλος: the Messiah was never thought of as a mere teacher. But ἀπὸ θεοῦ may indicate only a Prophet (John 1:6), or even less.

ἐὰν μὴ κ.τ.λ. Again a weak conclusion; one expects ‘unless he be a Prophet,’ or, ‘the Messiah.’