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“He has blinded their eyes and He hardened their heart, so that they will not see with their eyes and understand with their heart, and be converted, and so I will not heal them.” 41These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke about Him. Nevertheless many, even of the rulers, believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, so that they would not be excommunicated from the synagogue; 43for they loved the approval of people rather than the approval of God. 44Now Jesus cried out and said, “The one who believes in Me, does not believe only in Me, but also in Him 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

• Neverthelessὅμωςhomōs · just asG3676
• Neverthelessμέντοιmentoi · yetG3305
• manyπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• evenκαίkai · andG2532
• the rulersἄρχωνarchōn · rulerG758
• believedπιστεύωpisteuō · to trust (in)G4100
• becauseδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• of the PhariseesΦαρισαῖοςPharisaios · PhariseeG5330
• they were not confessingὁμολογέωhomologeō · to confess/professG3670
• soἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• excommunicatedγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• excommunicatedἀποσυνάγωγοςaposunagōgos · excommunicatedG656

Cross-references for John 12:42

• John 3:2this man came to Jesus at night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
• John 7:48Not one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he?
• John 11:45Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him.
• John 19:38Now after these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, requested of Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body.
• Matthew 10:32“Therefore, everyone who confesses Me before people, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.
• Luke 12:8“Now I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before people, the Son of Man will also confess him before the angels of God;
• Romans 10:10for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
• 1 John 4:2By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;
• John 7:13However, no one was speaking openly about Him, for fear of the Jews.
• John 9:22His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already reached the decision that if anyone confessed Him to be Christ, he was to be excommunicated from the synagogue.
• John 16:2They will ban you from the synagogue, yet an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering a service to God.
• Proverbs 29:25The fear of man brings a snare, But one who trusts in the Lord will be protected.
• Isaiah 51:7Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, A people in whose heart is My Law; Do not fear the taunting of people, Nor be terrified of their abuses.
• Isaiah 57:11“Of whom were you worried and fearful When you lied, and did not remember Me Nor give Me a thought? Was I not silent, even for a long time, So you do not fear Me?
• Isaiah 66:5Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at His word: “Your brothers who hate you, who exclude you on account of My name, Have said, ‘Let the Lord be glorified, so that we may see your joy.’ But they will be put to shame.
• Matthew 26:69Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a slave woman 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