John 12:42

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 12:42-43

Some honour was done to Christ by these rulers: for they believed on him, were convinced that he was sent of God, and received his doctrine as divine; but they did not do him honour enough, for they had not courage to own their faith in him. Many professed more kindness for Christ than really they had; these had more kindness for him than they were willing to profess. See here what a struggle was in these rulers between their convictions and their corruptions. I. See the power of the word in... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 12:42-43

12:42-43 Nevertheless many of the rulers believed in him, but they did not publicly confess their faith for they did not wish to be excommunicated; for they loved the glory of men rather than the glory of God. Jesus did not speak entirely to deaf ears; there were those even of the Jewish authorities, who in their heart of hearts believed. But they were afraid to confess their faith, because they did not wish to run the risk of being excommunicated from the synagogue. These people were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 12:42

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also ,.... These were the members of the Jewish sanhedrim, as Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, and others: many believed on him ; that he was the Messiah, though they did not believe in him in a spiritual and saving manner, as their Redeemer and Saviour, only in their minds, being convicted by his miracles, gave an assent unto him, as the promised Messiah. The two persons just mentioned may be thought truly to have believed in Christ; but the many here... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:42

Among 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 more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:42

Verse 42 Nevertheless, many even of the rulers believed on Him. The murmuring and fierceness of the Jews, in rejecting Christ, having risen to such a height of insolence, it might have been thought that all the people, without exception, conspired against him. But the Evangelist says that, amidst the general madness of the nation, there were many who were of a sound mind. A striking instance, truly, of the grace of God; for, when ungodliness has once prevailed, it is a sort of universal plague,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:1-50

III. CONSUMMATION OF THE PUBLIC MINISTRY . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:37-43

6. The reflections of the evangelist . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:42-43

A movement Christward among the chief rulers. The unbelief of the Jews was neither total nor final. I. THE ADHESION OF MANY CHIEF RULERS . "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him." 1. Some of them, like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea, were true believers . 2. Others, probably, were inwardly persuaded that he was the Messiah, but could not bring themselves to an open discipleship. The causes were twofold. (a) This proves at once the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:42-43

Believing yet not confessing. Here we have one of the mighty hindrances, one that explains a very great deal indeed, to the full acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Christ. Between the bold believers and the open unbelievers there is a very large class, which cannot but believe, yet will by no means avow its belief. Human beings are not so stupid and insensible in the presence of Jesus as they often seem to be. None can see better the fallacies and follies of unbelief, but they lack the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 12:42

The 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 - Excommunicated. See the notes at John 9:22. read more

Group of Brands