La nuit de Nicodème (Jean 3, 2; 19, 39) ou l'ombre du langage

Auwers, Jean-Marie [UCL]

The close connection betwen the Nicodeme episode (Jn 3,1-21) and the Passover mentioned in 2,23-25 suggests that Nicodemus visited Jesus on the night of Passover. At the same time, the fact that the Pharisee's visit was by night means to show that this faith was not yet mature. By contrast, when Nicodemus came to Calvary before the end of the day in 19,39-40, his faith had reached adult stature: Josephus of Arimathaea and he "take the body of Jesus", an expression which should be understood in the sense of accepting the person of Jesus, thus implying a full-grown faith and perhaps it is even intended to evoke eucharist. Here the night of 3,2 is recalled to show that adherence to Jesus is a journey from darkness to light (cf. 3,19-21).