New International Version
John 12:42
42Yet 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;
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:
- 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;
- New Living Translation (NLT)Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue.
Context of John 12:42
40“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn—and I would heal them.” 41Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him. 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; 43for they loved human praise more than praise from God. 44Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.
Read all of John 12John 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 at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
- John 7:48“Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him?
- John 11:45Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.
- John 19:38Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away.
- Matthew 10:32“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
- Luke 12:8“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.
- Romans 10:10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
- 1 John 4:2This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
- John 7:13But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.
- John 9:22His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue.
- John 16:2They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.
- Proverbs 29:25Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
- Isaiah 51:7“Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have taken my instruction to heart: Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults.
- Isaiah 57:11“Whom have you so dreaded and feared that you have not been true to me, and have neither remembered me nor taken this to heart? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear me?
- Isaiah 66:5Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at his word: “Your own people who hate you, and exclude you because of my name, have said, ‘Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy!’ Yet they will be put to shame.
- Matthew 26:69Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.
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
In the dictionaries
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
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