Nicodemus, when he saw Jesus lifted up on the cross, remembered His words spoken by night in the Mount of Olives: "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:14, 15. On that Sabbath, when Christ lay in the grave, Nicodemus had opportunity for reflection. A clearer light now illuminated his mind, and the words which Jesus had spoken to him were no longer mysterious. He felt that he had lost much by not connecting himself with the Saviour during His life. Now he recalled the events of Calvary. The prayer of Christ for His murderers and His answer to the petition of the dying thief spoke to the heart of the learned councilor. Again he looked upon the Saviour in His agony; again he heard that last cry, "It is finished," spoken like the words of a conqueror. Again he beheld the reeling earth, the darkened heavens, the rent veil, the shivered rocks, and his faith was forever established. The very event that destroyed 776 the hopes of the disciples convinced Joseph and Nicodemus of the divinity of Jesus. Their fears were overcome by the courage of a firm and unwavering faith.

Hverken Josef eller Nikodemus havde åbenlyst sluttet sig til Frelseren, medens han levede. De vidste, at et sådant skridt ville udelukke dem fra Sanhedrin, og de håbede at kunne beskytte ham ved deres indflydelse under dets møder. En tid så det ud til, at det skulle lykkes for dem; men de snedige præster, som så, at de handlede til fordel for Kristus, havde modarbejdet deres planer. Under deres fraværelse var Jesus blevet dømt og udleveret til at blive korsfæstet. Nu, hvor han var død, skjulte de ikke længere deres hengivenhed for ham. Medens disciplene var bange for åbenlyst at vise sig som hans tilhængere, kom Josef og Nikodemus dem dristigt til hjælp. På dette tidspunkt var disse rige og ansete mænds medvirken i højeste grad tiltrængt. De kunne udrette noget for deres døde Mester, som det var umuligt for de fattige disciple at gøre, og deres rigdom og anseelse beskyttede dem i vid udstrækning mod præsternes og rådsherrernes ondskab.