Nicodemus in The Chosen: A Complete Biblical Guide to the Character
In the TV series ‘The Chosen’, Nicodemus is a respected Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin who is intrigued by Jesus’s miracles and teachings. Portrayed by actor Erick Avari, his character arc is based on the biblical accounts in the Gospel of John, highlighting his secret night-time meeting with Jesus and his internal struggle between his religious traditions and his growing faith in Jesus as the Messiah.
The popular series The Chosen brings the stories of the New Testament to life. One of its most interesting characters is Nicodemus, a respected Pharisee and Jewish leader who was very curious about spiritual matters. He first met Jesus in secret at night, a meeting that started a deep spiritual journey for him. This moment shows a man struggling to understand the divine truth he saw in the Son of God.
In this guide, we will explore the character of Nicodemus. We will look at his story in the Bible, mainly from the Gospel of John, to understand his background and key conversations with Jesus. Then, we will examine how nicodemus the chosen is portrayed in the series, looking at how the show highlights his internal struggles and his journey toward faith. His story teaches important lessons about being born again, a truth Jesus shared when He said, “Unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
Join us as we explore the life of Nicodemus, from his first hesitant questions to his later acts of faith. His journey offers powerful lessons for every believer. It shows that faith can grow despite fear and social pressure, and that it is never too late to answer Jesus’s call. Let’s dive into who Nicodemus is, both in the Bible and in the series The Chosen.
Who is Nicodemus in The Chosen?
A Man of Position and Power
In The Chosen, Nicodemus is shown as a man of high standing. He has a respected place in Jewish society as a member of the Sanhedrin. This was the highest religious court in Israel, which governed Jewish life and law [1]. Because of this, he had a lot of power and influence.
He is also a devout Pharisee. Pharisees were known for their strict obedience to Jewish law and tradition. The Bible also calls him “a teacher of Israel” (John 3:10). This points to his deep knowledge of scripture and his job as a spiritual teacher. The Chosen shows these important parts of his character well.
His colleagues often ask for his advice on faith and law. He is seen debating religious ideas with confidence and wisdom. This shows his respected position among the Jewish leaders. His high status makes his later meetings with Jesus even more powerful. It highlights the risks he faced by connecting with Christ.
The Portrayal of a Searching Heart
Despite his high position, Nicodemus feels a deep spiritual need. The Chosen does a great job of showing this internal struggle. He often seems thoughtful and troubled, even with all his success. He is looking for deeper truths beyond the established rules and traditions.
His first meeting with Jesus happens because he is curious and wants to understand. He sees Jesus’ amazing miracles for himself. These powerful acts make him realize that Jesus has a connection to God. He tells Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him” (John 3:2). This key statement from the Bible explains why he is so interested in Jesus.
The series shows him struggling with the new claims about Jesus. He chooses to meet Jesus at night (John 3:2). This secret meeting shows he was nervous and careful. He risked his reputation, his position, and even his safety to seek out Jesus. Still, he truly wanted to understand the Kingdom of God and what it means to be born again (John 3:3-5). In the end, Nicodemus is an example of a sincere seeker of truth, no matter the cost.
What happened to Nicodemus in the Bible?
The Secret Meeting with Jesus (John 3:1-21)
We first meet Nicodemus in a key and interesting story. He was a leading Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, the top Jewish council. This meant he had great power and religious authority.
He came to see Jesus at night. This suggests he was curious but also careful, perhaps afraid of what other leaders would think. Nicodemus showed Jesus respect, calling Him “a teacher who has come from God.” He knew that only someone with God’s help could do the miracles Jesus did (John 3:2).
But Jesus got right to the point. He told Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Nicodemus did not understand this idea. He asked how a grown man could be born a second time. Jesus then explained that He was talking about a spiritual birth:
- Being “born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5)
- Understanding spiritual things requires the Spirit’s work (John 3:6-8)
Then Jesus shared one of the most famous verses in the Bible. He spoke of God’s great love for the world. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). This powerful truth offers salvation to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Jesus also explained His mission. He came to save the world, not to condemn it (John 3:17-18).
A Cautious Defense of Christ (John 7:50-51)
We see Nicodemus again later in the Gospel of John, and he has started to change. During a heated argument, the other leaders wanted to arrest Jesus. They questioned His authority and tried to make Him look bad.
But Nicodemus spoke up. He reminded the other leaders of their own law. He asked, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” (John 7:51). This was a quiet but brave way to defend Jesus. In a room full of anger, Nicodemus asked for a fair process. This small step shows his belief was growing. Jesus’ words had a big impact on him, and he was moving from a secret seeker to a careful supporter.
A Final Act of Devotion (John 19:39-42)
Nicodemus shows his faith most clearly after Jesus’ crucifixion. This moment truly shows how much he had changed. At a time when Jesus’ followers had scattered in fear, Nicodemus boldly stepped forward.
He joined Joseph of Arimathea, another secret follower, to prepare Jesus’ body for burial. This was very dangerous. Being seen with a crucified man could lead to serious trouble. He risked his reputation, his job, and maybe even his life. Still, Nicodemus brought a very large amount of burial spices. These included a mix of myrrh and aloes that weighed about seventy-five pounds [2].
This huge amount of spices was a powerful statement. Such a generous gift was usually only for kings or very important people. It showed Nicodemus’ deep love and respect for Jesus. With this act, he went from a secret inquirer to a brave, public believer. He openly honored Jesus, even in death. This final act completes his story, showing how true faith can overcome fear and risk.
Why did Nicodemus not join Jesus?
Understanding the Fear and Risk for a Pharisee
Nicodemus was a respected Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high council. At first, he did not join Jesus publicly because of his great fear and the huge personal risk involved. He held a powerful position in his community, and being seen with Jesus could have ruined his life.
- Loss of Status: As a top religious scholar, Nicodemus was highly respected. Following Jesus, a new and controversial teacher, could have cost him that respect.
- Excommunication: The Sanhedrin, the Jewish supreme court, was against Jesus. If Nicodemus followed Jesus openly, he risked being thrown out of the synagogue and shunned by his community.
- Social Isolation: Many Pharisees made fun of anyone interested in Jesus. John 7:48 shows this: “Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him?”
- Political Danger: Jesus challenged the religious and political leaders of his day. Supporting him looked like a threat to both the Romans and the Jewish leaders. This could lead to prison or even death.
So, Nicodemus didn’t hesitate because he wasn’t interested. He was carefully weighing the high cost. His caution shows the real dangers of having faith when you are surrounded by opposition.
From Secret Seeker to Public Believer
Nicodemus’s journey of faith happened one step at a time. He went from seeking Jesus in secret to believing in Him publicly. His story shows that God works on His own schedule, growing faith in quiet and surprising ways.
- The Secret Meeting (John 3:1-21): Nicodemus first went to Jesus at night, in secret. He had real questions about the Kingdom of God. Jesus shared a deep truth with him about being “born again” (John 3:3). This private meeting planted an important seed of faith in his heart.
- A Cautious Defense (John 7:50-51): Later, other Pharisees wanted to arrest Jesus, but Nicodemus spoke up for him. He reminded them of the law, saying, “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?” This was a quiet but brave defense. It showed that his faith was growing, even though he was still afraid.
- A Final Act of Devotion (John 19:39-42): The greatest proof of Nicodemus’s faith came after Jesus was crucified. By then, most of Jesus’s disciples had run away. But Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea came forward to claim Jesus’s body. Nicodemus brought a large amount of expensive spices for the burial. This was a costly and dangerous act of love. He was publicly showing that he followed Jesus, no matter the cost. His faith was now stronger than his fear.
Nicodemus’s story shows that people come to faith in different ways. Some follow Jesus boldly from the start. Others, like Nicodemus, take a slower path as their courage grows through quiet moments with God.
The Chosen’s Interpretation of His Journey
The popular series “The Chosen” tells a powerful story about Nicodemus’s inner struggle and spiritual journey. The show creatively explores the human side of his biblical story.
- Internal Conflict: “The Chosen” clearly shows Nicodemus’s deep inner conflict. He is torn between his high-ranking position and the truth he sees in Jesus’s teachings. The series highlights his struggle to bring these two worlds together.
- The Cost of Discipleship: The show highlights the huge personal cost Nicodemus faced. It shows his fear of losing everything he had worked for by following Jesus. This makes his hesitation understandable and his final acts of faith even more meaningful.
- Missed Opportunity: The Bible shows Nicodemus’s faith growing over time, but “The Chosen” adds a touching story detail. It suggests a moment when Nicodemus almost leaves everything to follow Jesus right away. But he hesitates and might have missed the chance to be one of the twelve disciples. This creative choice shows how important our decisions are when Jesus calls us.
- Implied Faith: The show doesn’t detail his entire journey after his first meetings with Jesus, but it follows the biblical story. It suggests that Nicodemus does come to believe in Jesus as the Messiah, which leads to his brave actions after the crucifixion. The series does a great job of showing a man struggling with God’s call on his life.
In the end, both the Bible and “The Chosen” show Nicodemus as an example of Jesus’s power to change lives. His early fear turned into strong belief. His journey reminds us that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, patiently reaches out to everyone, no matter how powerful or afraid they are, to lead them to faith.
What happened to the actor who played Nicodemus in The Chosen?
Introducing Erick Avari
Erick Avari is the respected actor who played Nicodemus in the first season of The Chosen. A veteran performer, Mr. Avari has an impressive career with many different roles in film and television over the years [3]. His performance as Nicodemus was very moving. He captured the struggle of a man with deep spiritual questions, which connected with viewers who wanted to better understand the character.
Erick Avari’s experience was clear in his performance. He showed Nicodemus as a smart but conflicted Pharisee. This choice made a key biblical figure more human, helping audiences connect with his search for truth within his religious traditions.
The Character’s Departure in the Series
Nicodemus is a key character in the first season of The Chosen, but his role becomes smaller in later seasons. This change led to many questions from fans. The actor, Erick Avari, did not return after the first season because of a creative decision by the show’s creators. This choice shifted the direction of Nicodemus’s story.
As the show introduced more disciples and other biblical people, it needed to change its focus. As a result, some characters’ stories were shortened or ended to make room for new ones. The departure of Nicodemus, and Erick Avari, was part of this change in storytelling.
Creative Direction vs. Biblical Narrative
It’s important to see the difference between the show’s creative choices and the Bible’s account. The Chosen takes creative freedom, adding backstories and conversations not found in scripture. This can make the story feel richer. However, it also means a character’s journey might differ from what someone expects based only on the Bible.
The Bible tells specific stories about Nicodemus, like his secret meeting with Jesus (John 3:1-21) and his later acts of faith (John 19:39-42). The show’s creators chose to focus on other key figures instead. While this decision affected Erick Avari’s role, it doesn’t change the importance of Nicodemus in the Bible. His story remains a powerful example of growing faith, from secrecy to open belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We always return to God’s inspired Word for the ultimate truth (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The Enduring Lesson of Nicodemus’s Faith
It’s Never Too Late to Come to Jesus
The story of Nicodemus gives us great hope. He was a respected Pharisee and a Jewish leader. At first, he came to Jesus at night, maybe because he was afraid of what others would think (John 3:1-2). This shows he was nervous at the start.
But Nicodemus didn’t stay in the shadows. His faith grew slowly, but it became strong. Later, he spoke up for Jesus in front of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court (John 7:50-51). He asked why they were judging Jesus so quickly. Then, after Jesus was crucified, Nicodemus bravely helped Joseph of Arimathea prepare Jesus’ body for burial (John 19:39-42).
This final act was a brave, public way to show his faith. It proves that real faith can grow over time. It’s never too late to turn to Jesus. God’s grace is for everyone, no matter who they are or what they’ve done. The Lord welcomes anyone who comes to Him with an open heart (Matthew 11:28). This truth is a key part of Christian faith [4].
Here’s how Nicodemus changed over time:
- He was hesitant at first: He came to Jesus in secret because he worried about his reputation.
- His belief grew stronger: He defended Jesus when others were against Him, showing his loyalty was changing.
- He showed his faith publicly: He helped bury Jesus, which was a very risky thing for a Pharisee to do.
Nicodemus’s story reminds us that faith is often a journey. It takes time to understand and commit. Jesus is patient and meets us right where we are.
Faith Can Grow in Unexpected Places
Nicodemus’s story is special because of who he was. He was a Pharisee, a group that often disagreed with Jesus. He was also part of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court. This was a powerful and important job. But this is where his faith began to grow.
At first, he was just curious about Jesus. It was a surprising move for a man in his position. He struggled with what he had always been taught versus Jesus’ new message. Even though the leaders around him were doubtful, a seed of faith started to grow in his heart.
God often works in surprising ways. He uses people and situations you wouldn’t expect to do His work. Nicodemus’s story is a great example of this. His faith grew in a place that was unfriendly to Jesus. This shows God has the power to change any heart.
Here’s what we can learn from Nicodemus:
- God meets us where we are: Jesus took the time to talk with Nicodemus, even in secret.
- He looked past prejudice: Nicodemus didn’t let common opinions about Jesus stop him.
- God can change any heart: The Lord can grow faith in anyone, no matter their status or what they used to believe (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).
In the end, Nicodemus showed that God can use anyone. His faith started in secret but became a public testimony for Christ. His story teaches a lasting lesson: Jesus is the Son of God, and His saving grace is for everyone who believes, even people from the most unlikely backgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nicodemus
What happened to Nicodemus in The Chosen series?
In The Chosen, Nicodemus is a respected and powerful Pharisee. He is a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court. Early in the series, he investigates the teachings and miracles of Jesus of Nazareth. This leads to his famous secret meeting with Jesus at night (John 3:1-21).
During their meeting, Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be “born again.” Nicodemus struggles to understand this deep idea. He questions what it means for him and his high-ranking position. The show depicts his search for spiritual truth. It also shows his conflict between his social standing and the powerful truth of what Jesus says. In the end, Nicodemus decides to stay in Jerusalem. He does not become one of Jesus’s traveling disciples. His story in The Chosen ends with this decision, suggesting his journey of faith continued in private.
Who is the actor that plays Nicodemus in The Chosen?
The actor who plays Nicodemus in The Chosen is Erick Avari. Avari is an experienced character actor with a long career. He has been in many movies and TV shows [5].
His performance brought great depth and seriousness to the character. Avari skillfully showed Nicodemus’s curiosity, spiritual confusion, and inner conflict as he searched for truth. His work was widely praised for showing the many sides of this important biblical figure.
Is Nicodemus in season 2, 4 or 5 of The Chosen?
Nicodemus is a major character in Season 1 of The Chosen. However, he does not appear in later seasons, including Season 2, 3, 4, or the planned Season 5. His story was completed in the first season.
The show’s creators decided to focus on other characters and develop different stories. This was a storytelling choice for the show, and it doesn’t conflict with the Bible. The Bible mostly mentions three main times Nicodemus interacted with Jesus.
What is the most important lesson from the story of Nicodemus?
The most important lesson from Nicodemus’s story is about the need for spiritual rebirth. Jesus told him plainly, “You must be born again” (John 3:7). This shows that social status, knowledge, or following religious rules are not enough for salvation. True salvation only comes from a spiritual change brought about by the Holy Spirit, which is received through faith in Jesus Christ.
Nicodemus’s journey also teaches us about brave faith. At first, he came to Jesus in secret because he was afraid. But his faith grew. He later defended Jesus before the Sanhedrin (John 7:50-51). Most importantly, he and Joseph of Arimathea bravely buried Jesus’s body after the crucifixion (John 19:39-42). This was a public act of faith that was very dangerous. His story shows that faith can grow from a quiet start to a brave commitment. It confirms that Jesus is the Son of God, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him (John 3:16). He is the only way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).