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: (John 12:42 KJV)
Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess [it], lest they should be put out of the synagogue: (John 12:42 ASV)
Although indeed from among the rulers also many believed on him, but on account of the Pharisees did not confess [him], that they might not be put out of the synagogue: (John 12:42 DBY)
Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess it, so that they wouldn’t be put out of the synagogue, (John 12:42 WEB)
Still, however, also out of the rulers did many believe in him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing, that they might not be put out of the synagogue, (John 12:42 YLT)
Interlinear
Nevertheless <homos> <mentoi> among <ek> the chief rulers <archon> also <kai> many <polus> believed <pisteuo> on <eis> him; <autos> but <alla> because <dia> of the Pharisees <Pharisaios> they did <homologeo> not <ou> confess <homologeo> him, lest <hina me> they should be <ginomai> put out of the synagogue: <aposunagogos> (John 12:42 KJV)
Albert Barnes’ Commentary
Verse 42. The chief rulers. Members of the Sanhedrim — Nicodemus, Joseph, and others like them.
Because of the Pharisees. The Pharisees were a majority of the council.
Put out of the synagogue. Excommunicated. See Barnes for Joh 9:22.
{t} “because of the Pharisees” Joh 9:22
Thomas Scott
Verses 42-43: The resurrection of Lazarus convinced several, even of the members of the Sanhedrim, that Jesus was the Messiah, and they secretly believed in him as such; but most of them regarded him chiefly as a temporal Deliverer, and probably expected that he would shortly appear in that character, and then they might safely acknowledge him. At present the pharisees and the leading persons were so violent in their opposition to him, that these rulers did not dare to confess their sentiments lest they should be excommunicated: for ambition, and regard to reputation, were predominant in their hearts; and they preferred the esteem and applause of their neighbours, and especially of those in authority, to the favour and approbation of God; which they could not expect while they acted contrary to their consciences. Thus they suffered the enemies of Jesus to proceed in their sanguinary measures, till they had put him to death, without making any opposition or protest against them; nay, they even sanctioned their conduct by silent concurrence.—Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, though in a measure culpable, can hardly be thought to have been included in this heavy censure. The believing spoken of seems to have been a persuasion that Jesus was the Messiah, without any clear and adequate views of his kingdom, or reliance on him for salvation.