This episode is part 1 of a two-part discussion of John 3. In this episode, we give the background to Jesus's conversation with Nicodemus by explaining what it means that Nicodemus was a "Pharisee", what it meant that he was a "ruler of the Jews", and why he and Jesus immediately start talking about the "kingdom of God". 

References from the podcast:

•  “Who Were the Scribes and Pharisees” video by Chad Bird, a scholar-in-residence with the 1517 project.
• Link to the Britannica entry on the ruling council of the Jews, the Sanhedrin. 
•  “The Difference Between ‘Son of God’ and ‘Son of Man’” a helpful 5 minute video from R.C. Sproul, explaining the significance of these two titles. 
• A six-minute video from the Bible Project on the title "The Son of Man".