SEV Biblia, Chapter 12:42
¶ Con todo eso, aun de los príncipes, muchos creyeron en l; mas por causa de los fariseos no lo confesaban, para no ser echados de la sinagoga.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - John 12:42
Verse 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 chap. ix. 22.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 42. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also , etc.] 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 spoken of seem to have had only an historical faith in him, as appears by what follows: but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him ; as they ought to have done, and as they would have done, if their faith had been right; for where with the heart men believe in Christ to righteousness, there, with the mouth, confession is made to salvation; and between a non-confession of Christ, and a denying him, is no medium; and Christ interprets the one to be the same with the other; (see Romans 10:9,10 Matthew 10:32,33); and this they did not do, because of the Pharisees, who were the inveterate and implacable enemies of Christ, and were the prevailing party in the sanhedrim: wherefore these chief rulers, though many, were afraid of them, lest they should be put out of the synagogue ; for they had made a decree in the sanhedrim, that whoever confessed that Jesus was the Messiah, should be cast out; and they had put it into execution upon the man born blind, whose eyes Christ opened, for speaking in favour of his benefactor; and this had struck terror in the minds, not only of the common people; but of the chief rulers themselves; for it was looked upon as a very dreadful thing to be put out of the synagogue; (see Gill on John 9:22).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 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 sanctif them; will pardon their sins, which are as bleeding wounds, and mortif their corruptions, which are as lurking diseases. See the power of the world in smothering convictions, from regard to the applause or censur of men. Love of the praise of men, as a by-end in that which is good will make a man a hypocrite when religion is in fashion, and credit is to be got by it; and love of the praise of men, as a base principle is that which is evil, will make a man an apostate, when religion is in disgrace, and credit is to be lost for it.
Greek Textus Receptus
ομως 3676 CONJ μεντοι 3305 CONJ και 2532 CONJ εκ 1537 PREP των 3588 T-GPM αρχοντων 758 N-GPM πολλοι 4183 A-NPM επιστευσαν 4100 5656 V-AAI-3P εις 1519 PREP αυτον 846 P-ASM αλλα 235 CONJ δια 1223 PREP τους 3588 T-APM φαρισαιους 5330 N-APM ουχ 3756 PRT-N ωμολογουν 3670 5707 V-IAI-3P ινα 2443 CONJ μη 3361 PRT-N αποσυναγωγοι 656 A-NPM γενωνται 1096 5638 V-2ADS-3P
Vincent's NT Word Studies
42. Among the chief rulers (kai ek twn arcontwn). Rev., more neatly and accurately, even of the rulers.Believed on Him (episteusan eiv auton). See on i. 12. It is to be noted that John here uses of this imperfect faith which refused to complete itself in confession, the formula for complete faith. Compare believed in His name (ii. 23), and see note there.
Confess Him (wmologoun). The Him, or, Rev., it, is not in the text. The verb is used absolutely. They did not make confession. See on Matthew vii. 23; x. 32; xiv. 7.
Lest they should be put out of the synagogue (ina mh aposunagwgoi genwntai). Better, that they should not be, etc. Compare Rev., ver. 35. On the phrase, be put out of the synagogue, see on ix. 22.
