Nevertheless, among the chief rulers also many believed on him Though the greater part of those to whom Christ preached rejected him, his sermons were not wholly unsuccessful; for a number of the chief magistrates, and other principal people, believed on him; yet they did not openly profess their faith, fearing they should be excommunicated by the Pharisees, whose party was now very powerful, both in church and state; for they loved the praise of men more than, &c. They durst not face the contempt of their fellow-mortals, even to secure the approbation of their Maker! Such was now the state of things at Jerusalem, and such the effect of Christ's entrance into it, as above related.
Related Commentaries of John 12:42
John 12:42-43
42 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:
43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.