John 12:43

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 12:43

For they loved the praise of men ,.... To be in the esteem of men, to have their applause, and receive honour from them: more than the praise of God ; than either to receive honour from him, and be praised by him, or to praise and glorify him. By confessing Christ they knew they should run the risk of losing their places of honour and profit, and of falling under the disgrace and contempt of men; and therefore they chose rather not to confess Christ, than by so doing to glorify God, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:43

They loved the praise of men - Δοξαν , the glory or honor that cometh from men. How common are these four obstacles of faith! says Quesnel: Too great a regard to men. Riches and temporal advantages. The fear of disgrace. The love of the praise of men. Abundance of persons persuade themselves that they love God more than the world, till some trying occasion fully convinces them of their mistake. It is a very great misfortune for a person not to know himself but by his falls; but... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:43

Verse 43 43.For they loved the glory of men. The Evangelist expressly states that those men were not guided by any superstition, but only endeavored to avoid disgrace among men; for if ambition had greater influence over them than the fear of God, it follows, that it was no vain scruple of conscience that gave them uneasiness. Now, let the reader observe how great ignominy is incurred before God, by the cowardice of those who, from the fear of being hated, dissemble their faith before men. Can... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:43

The generalization is given as a reason, For they loved the glory ( δόξα , very nearly in the original Greek use of the word," opinion," "good reputation") of men, very much more than the glory of God . The form of the expressions, "of God' and "of men," is different from the παρὰ τοῦ μόνου θεοῦ and παρὰ ἀλλήλων of John 5:44 , and the statement is apparently inconsistent with the declaration that those in such a state of mind "could not believe." Moulton suggests that... read more

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