sister of the youth whom Jesus loved and his mother and Salome were there, and Jesus did not receive them”.71 Since Eleazar and the “rich young ruler” appear to be the same man, we must recommend that he, as a member of the aristocratic ruling class, was also a member of the Sanhedrin. The same designation (“ruler”) is used to describe Nicodemus and others who held that official capacity. The use of the term “Jews” in the Gospel of John has sometimes been said to refer to the ruling class, i.e.,