Final answer:
The ruler of the Jews who approached Jesus at night was Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, not John, Matthew, or Peter.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ruler of the Jews who came to Jesus by night is described in the New Testament of the Bible. The man in question, who sought out Jesus under the cover of darkness, was not John, Matthew, or Peter, but rather Nicodemus. He was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the Jewish ruling council. Nicodemus is mentioned specifically in the Gospel of John, where he visits Jesus to discuss his teachings and later assists with Jesus' burial. Unlike Peter, who was one of Jesus' closest apostles, or Matthew, who was also an apostle as well as the traditional author of the first Gospel, Nicodemus approaches Jesus with a mix of curiosity and respect for his teachings while still being a part of the Jewish establishment. The encounter between Nicodemus and Jesus is often cited for Jesus' explanation of the necessity of being 'born again' to experience the kingdom of God.