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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
What then? Shall one blame God for this? Away with the thought. This blame is theirs. And what other proof can a man bring of your not knowing the Law than your not obeying it? For when they had said, "Hath any of the rulers believed on him?" and, "These who know not the Law," Nicodemus in fair consequence upbraids them, saying, "Doth our law judge any man before it hear him?" He showeth that they neither know the Law, nor do the Law; for if that Law commandeth to kill no man without first hearing him, and they before hearing were …
Cyril of Alexandria
For being still sick of an harmful shame, and not yet mingling boldness with his zeal, he permits the faith that is in him to be not seen uncovered, but casting about it dissimulation like a darksome cloak, he as yet conceals that he is on Christ's side; yet is he sick with a grievous sickness. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Why does the evangelist note about Nicodemus that he came to Jesus by night and that he was one of them? In order to expose their lie. They said that none of the rulers believed in Him, but he shows that they lie in this case as well. For behold, Nicodemus is both a ruler and one of them, yet he believed in Christ.
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
"Nicodemus," however, "one of the Pharisees, who had come to the Lord by night,"-not indeed as being himself unbelieving, but timid; for therefore he came by night to the light, because he wished to be enlightened and feared to be known;-Nicodemus, I say, answered the Jews, "Doth our law judge a man before it hear him, and know what he doeth?" For they perversely wished to condemn before they examined. …
Thomas Aquinas
Next, we see the dissension among the rulers. First, the advice of Nicodemus is given; secondly, the opposition of the rulers; and thirdly, the outcome of the whole affair. The Evangelist does two things about the first: first, he tells us something about Nicodemus; secondly, he gives his advice. He tells us three things about Nicodemus: the first two show us the attitude of Nicodemus himself; and the second reveals the malice of the rulers. …
Bonaventure
"Nicodemus said," namely that disciple who came to Jesus by night, "who was one of them," namely of the Pharisees; above in chapter 3: "There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus," etc. Here the refutation of the Pharisees is made by the authority of the Law, through which it is shown that they ought not to have seized him, because he had not yet been condemned to death by the Law.
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