Why did John use the name Nicodemus, a Greek name, instead of his Hebrew name in John 3:1?

Why did Nicodemus have a Greek name in John 3:1?

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νικάω … 1. intr. be victor, prevail, conquer… 2. trans. conquer, overcome, vanquish

Arndt, W., Gingrich, F. W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. (1979). In A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature : a translation and adaption of the fourth revised and augmented edition of Walter Bauer’s Griechisch-deutsches Worterbuch zu den Schrift en des Neuen Testaments und der ubrigen urchristlichen Literatur (p. 539). University of Chicago Press.

δῆμος, ου, ὁ (…) people, populace, crowd gathered for any purpose
— Ibid., p. 179.

Pharisee and ruler of the Jews seems to indicate that he was a member of the Sanhedrin. Thus, you would think he would have a Hebrew name.

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus [Νικόδημος, ου, ὁ ], a ruler of the Jews.
(John 3:1, ESV)

Νικόδημος βουλευτής) Nicodemus (in rabb. ךַקְדֵּימוֹן), a member of the Sanhedrin who was favorable to Jesus and his cause, mentioned only in the Fourth Gospel. Little is known about him, and the connection w. the Talmudic Nicodemus, whose real name is said to have been Buni ben Gorion, and who was held to be a disciple of Jesus (Billerb. II 413f), is questionable. J 3:1, 4, 9; 7:50; 19:39.—BZimolong, D. Nikod. perikope (J 2:23-3:22) nach d. syrosinait. Text, Diss. Bresl. ’19; SMendner, JBL 77, ’58, 293-323. M-M.* —
Ibid., p. 539.

It was common for Jews to sometimes have a Hebrew name and Greek name. Does John’s use of his Greek name Νικόδημος suggest that he was better known by than name in the Christian community?

P.S. Another remote possibility is Νικόδημος is Hebrew grandchildren נכדים with the Greek inflection ος added. The vowels don’t exactly match, and the meaning is off. The Greek meaning is far more likely.

2 Comments

  • Reply February 25, 2024

    Troy Day

    Neil Steven Lawrence Nelson Banuchi Philip Williams @followers Kyle Williams Brett Dobbs Νικόδημος βουλευτής) Nicodemus (in rabb. ךַקְדֵּימוֹן), a member of the Sanhedrin who was favorable to Jesus and his cause, mentioned only in the Fourth Gospel. Little is known about him, and the connection w. the Talmudic Nicodemus, whose real name is said to have been Buni ben Gorion, and who was held to be a disciple of Jesus

  • Reply February 25, 2024

    Troy Day

    Isara Mo I personally believe that It is not the office of the prophet that gives honor to the prophet but rather the character of the prophet (and what goes in the office that gives honor to the office.)
    For example If the office of the prophet sells beer and the prophet is a full-time drunkard how then can the office of the prophet be honorable ?
    Simply because someone is called a prophet by the people or simply because someone is calling himself a prophet does it necessarily mean he bears the character of a prophet .?
    Samwel was a prophet Nathan was a prophet .Jesus too was a prophet and we all know what kind of character Jesus had .A true prophet should be just like Jesus was ie holy (just to mention one important characteristic of a prophet )
    In our days we have in our midst false prophets,fornicating prophets,swindlers that call themselves prophets, liers and deceivers who masquerade as prophets of God, self styled spiritual chiefs and kings with foundational issues who think that the office of the prophet is a platform for celebrity and fame , an outright breed of Satan’s offspring masquerading as “prophets of God’
    Jesus knowing all this was to come in our generation cautioned//
    Matthew 7:18-20 ESV‬‬
    [18] A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.//
    THUS you will recognize them(the prophets )by their fruit (character)
    If Satan can masquerade as an angel of light how much more his servants?

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