Some gleams of the truth were penetrating the ruler’s mind. Christ’s words filled him with awe, and led to the inquiry, “How can these things be?” With deep earnestness Jesus answered, “Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?” His words convey to Nicodemus the lesson that, instead of feeling irritated over the plain words of truth, and indulging irony, he should have a far more humble opinion of himself, because of his spiritual ignorance. Yet the words of Christ were spoken with such solemn dignity, and both look and tone expressed such earnest love to him, that he was not offended as he realized his humiliating position. {TM 368.3}

Nogle glimt af sandheden var trængt ind i herskernes sind. Kristi ord fyldte ham med ærefrygt, og ledte ham til spørgsmålet, »Hvordan kan dette ske?« Med dyb alvor svarede Jesus, »Er du lærer i Israel og forstår ikke dette?« Hans ord tilkendegav (369) overfor Nikodemus den lektie at, i stedet for at føle sig irriteret over sandhedens tydelige ord, og give sig af ironi, skulle han, på grund af hans åndelige uvidenhed, have en langt mere ydmyg opfattelse af sig selv. Alligevel blev Kristi ord talt med sådan højtidelig værdighed, og både viste og betonede en så alvorlig kærlighed til ham, at han ikke blev foragtet når han indså sit eget ydmyge ståsted.