New Living Translation
John 12:42
42Many 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.
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“The Lord has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts— so that their eyes cannot see, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and have me heal them.” 41Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he said this, because he saw the future and spoke of the Messiah’s glory. 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. 43For they loved human praise more than the praise of God. 44Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God 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 3:2After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”
- John 7:48“Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him?
- John 11:45Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen.
- John 19:38Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away.
- Matthew 10:32“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
- Luke 12:8“I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels.
- Romans 10:10For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
- 1 John 4:2This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God.
- John 7:13But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.
- John 9:22His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue.
- John 16:2For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God.
- Proverbs 29:25Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.
- Isaiah 51:7“Listen to me, you who know right from wrong, you who cherish my law in your hearts. Do not be afraid of people’s scorn, nor fear their insults.
- Isaiah 57:11“Are you afraid of these idols? Do they terrify you? Is that why you have lied to me and forgotten me and my words? Is it because of my long silence that you no longer fear me?
- Isaiah 66:5Hear this message from the Lord, all you who tremble at his words: “Your own people hate you and throw you out for being loyal to my name. ‘Let the Lord be honored!’ they scoff. ‘Be joyful in him!’ But they will be put to shame.
- Matthew 26:69Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those 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
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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