Coming by night
Does the time of the encounter indicate that the leaders, even now, are critical of Christ? The night time visit suggests this.
John 3:2The Holman Christian Standard Bible
This man came to Him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher, for no one could perform these signs You do unless God were with him.”
- The first two things are clear to me. But aren´t you revising your own first statement through your last sentence? Or maybe I am just not able to understand what your point is? :/
- Chiiepsaa I think what he is saying is that Nicodemus could have spoken with Christ during the day but instead chose to go at night, when there would be less chance of being seen by other Pharisees, who would normally be more active during the day. That is commonly believed.
- A private question in that culture shows respect for the Rabbi; a public one shows a challenge and a lack of respect.