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Nicodemus

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Biblical Character

The Resume

    Resided in Jerusalem
    Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin (Jewish Supreme Court)
    Appears in the Gospel of John
    Mentioned in John 3: 1–21, 7: 50-51, 19: 39-42
    Present at the Crucifixion and Burial of Jesus Christ (33 A.D.)
    Alleged author of the apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus, including the Acts of Pilate
    Venerated as a Saint by the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church
    Feast Days are August 2-3 and The Sunday of the Myrrhbearers (the second Sunday after Easter)

Why he might be annoying:

    He shares a name with the ancient rat leader in Secret of NIMH.
    He visited Jesus in secret because he did not want to be associated with the Disciples.
    Jesus was surprised and unable to understand how he could be a great 'teacher of Israel' and unable to understand being 'born again.'
    He never converted to Christianity but he is a figurehead for Born-Again Christians.
    He may have inadvertently given Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin the idea to try Jesus by night to avoid a riot.
    It remains unclear as to whether or not he is the same person as Nicodemus ben Gorion, a Jewish figure in the same period said to possess mystical powers.
    Some dramatic depictions of the Passion depict him trying to warn Jesus that he is about to be arrested, but there is no record of his ever doing such a thing.
    He does not appear in any of the Synoptic Gospel accounts, which are told from the perspective of observers, leading some theologians to question his existence.
    The authenticity of his Gospel has also been called into question. Many theologians believe that the document was written by Medieval clergymen as a form of pious entertainment.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was very curious and open-minded.
    The Sanhedrin mocked him when he defended Jesus for suggesting that a Galilean might really be a Prophet.
    His conversation with Jesus, in John 3, might be the most eloquent and poignant explanation for spiritual rebirth and entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven in the Bible.
    He was apparently well-off enough to fund Jesus' burial service with 100 pounds worth of myrrh and aloes.
    He had an enduring popularity among freed slaves in post-Civil War America.
    He figured into the imagery of Dr. Martin Luther King's speeches.
    He is the namesake for the legendary black comic Nick Stewart's stage name - Nick O'Demus.
    The Franciscan Order erected a church under his patronage, along with Joseph of Arimathea, in Ramla.
    He is one of the only positive Pharisee depictions in Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ (he storms out during the trial).
    He has figured into centuries of beautiful artwork depicting him helping Joseph of Arimathea to carry Jesus' body off from the cross.
    He is part of the Medieval lore and legend surrounding the Holy Grail, Holy Face of Lucca, and the Batlló Crucifix.

Credit: BoyWiththeGreenHair


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 178 Votes: 47.19% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 16 Votes: 31.25% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 52 Votes: 44.23% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 96 Votes: 53.12% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 86 Votes: 48.84% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 137 Votes: 58.39% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 74 Votes: 72.97% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 22 Votes: 40.91% Annoying