If you’ve been following this commentary for a while, you know that I’m all about narrative. The context of the story matters. I feel that these authors/storytellers were incredibly sophisticated in their compositions of these gospels and so it’s important to know how they are placing these passages within the context of the overall narrative. And I still believe that. But I’m not sure it’s as important this week. Of course, this is the great story introduction to Nicodemus (who will come around two more times in the gospel). But if ever there was a pericope that fell outside of the context, it’s this one. Apart from vs 14 and 15, the rest of the passage seems to be a narrative aside. Do we think that Jesus continued to speak to Nicodemus in this way from 16-21? No, this is a beautiful aside that helps the reader/listener understand the depth of where the story is going.