John 12:42

John 12:42 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
• New International Version (NIV)Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;
• English Standard Version (ESV)Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue;
• New King James Version (NKJV)Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue;

Context of John 12:42

40“God blinded them and made them close-minded so that their eyes don’t see and their minds don’t understand. And they never turn to me for healing!” 41Isaiah said this because he had seen Jesus’ glory and had spoken about him. Many rulers believed in Jesus. However, they wouldn’t admit it publicly because the Pharisees would have thrown them out of the synagogue. 43They were more concerned about what people thought of them than about what God thought of them. 44Then Jesus said loudly, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me.

John 12:42 word by word

ὅμως μέντοι καὶ ἐκ τῶν ἀρχόντων πολλοὶ ἐπίστευσαν εἰς αὐτόν, ἀλλὰ διὰ τοὺς Φαρισαίους οὐχ ὡμολόγουν, ἵνα μὴ ἀποσυνάγωγοι γένωνται.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Neverthelessὅμωςhomōs · just asG3676
• amongἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• the chief rulersὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the chief rulersἄρχωνarchōn · rulerG758
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• manyπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• believedπιστεύωpisteuō · to trust (in)G4100
• onεἰςeis · towardG1519
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• becauseδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• of the PhariseesΦαρισαῖοςPharisaios · PhariseeG5330
• they didὁμολογέωhomologeō · to confess/professG3670
• notοὐou · noG3756
• lestἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• they should beγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• put out of the synagogueἀποσυνάγωγοςaposunagōgos · excommunicatedG656
• ·μέντοιmentoi · yetG3305
• ·μήmē · notG3361

Cross-references for John 12:42

• John 3:2He came to Jesus one night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that God has sent you as a teacher. No one can perform the miracles you perform unless God is with him.”
• John 7:48Has any ruler or any Pharisee believed in him?
• John 11:45Many Jews who had visited Mary and had seen what Jesus had done believed in him.
• John 19:38Later Joseph from the city of Arimathea asked Pilate to let him remove Jesus’ body. (Joseph was a disciple of Jesus but secretly because he was afraid of the Jews). Pilate gave him permission to remove Jesus’ body. So Joseph removed it.
• Matthew 10:32“So I will acknowledge in front of my Father in heaven that person who acknowledges me in front of others.
• Luke 12:8I can guarantee that the Son of Man will acknowledge in front of God’s angels every person who acknowledges him in front of others.
• Romans 10:10By believing you receive God’s approval, and by declaring your faith you are saved.
• 1 John 4:2This is how you can recognize God’s Spirit: Every person who declares that Jesus Christ has come as a human has the Spirit that is from God.
• John 7:13Yet, no one would talk openly about him because they were afraid of the Jews.
• John 9:22(His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews. The Jews had already agreed to put anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ out of the synagogue.
• John 16:2You will be thrown out of synagogues. Certainly, the time is coming when people who murder you will think that they are serving God.
• Proverbs 29:25A person’s fear sets a trap ⌞for him⌟, but one who trusts the Lord is safe.
• Isaiah 51:7Listen to me, you people who know righteousness, you people who have my teachings in your hearts. Don’t be afraid of being insulted by people. Don’t be discouraged by their ridicule.
• Isaiah 57:11Whom did you dread and fear so much that you lied to me? You haven’t remembered me or cared about me. I’ve been silent for a long time. Is that why you don’t fear me?
• Isaiah 66:5Listen to the Lord’s word, all who tremble at his word. Your relatives, who hate you and exclude you for my name’s sake, say, “Let the Lord show his glory; then we will see your joy.” But they will be put to shame.
• Matthew 26:69Peter was sitting in the courtyard. A female servant came to him and said, “You, too, were with Jesus the Galilean.”

Commentaries on John 12:42

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 42Among the chief rulers - many believed on him - We only know the names of two of them, Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea. But - they did not confess him - Or it: they were as yet weak in the faith, and could not bear the reproach of the cross of Christ. Besides, the principal rulers had determined to excommunicate every person who acknowledged Christ for the Messiah; see John 9:22.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 42The chief rulers - Members of the Sanhedrin - Nicodemus, Joseph, and others like them. Because of the Pharisees - The Pharisees were a majority of the council. Did not confess him - Did not openly avow their belief that he was the Messiah. Two of them, however, did afterward evince their attachment to him. These were Joseph and Nicodemus, John 19:38-39. That Joseph was one of them appears from Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50-51. Put out of the synagogue…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 37-43Verses 37-43 Observe the method of conversion implied here. Sinners are brought to see the reality of Divine things, and to have some knowledge of them. To be converted, and truly turned from sin to Christ, as their Happiness and Portion. God will heal them, will justify and sanctify them; will pardon their sins, which are as bleeding wounds, and mortify their corruptions, which are as lurking diseases. See the power of the world in smothering…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 42-43Many people did believe in Jesus. However, they were afraid to admit it in public. They feared the reaction of the religious leaders and the social consequences that might follow. To follow Jesus means more than private belief. It includes openly identifying with him and telling others about him, even when this may bring rejection (1:35–51; 4:1–42).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 42-4342-43. among the chief rulers also--rather, "even of the rulers"; such as Nicodemus and Joseph. because of the Pharisees--that is, the leaders of the sects; for they were of it themselves. put out of the synagogue--See Joh 9:22, 34.Read the comment

Topics related to John 12:42

• Confession
• Cowardice
• Indecision
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• Opinion, Public
• Persecution
• Synagogue

In the dictionaries

• Chief
• Consult
• Costly
• Prince
• Excommunication
• Jesus Christ
• John, Gospel of
• King, Christ As
• Ruler
• Synagogue

Commentaries on John 12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings