John 12:42
ESV
Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue;
NIV
Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;
NASB
Nevertheless many, even of the rulers, believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, so that they would not be excommunicated from the synagogue;
CSB
Nevertheless, many did believe in him even among the rulers, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, so that they would not be banned from the synagogue.
NLT
Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue.
KJV
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:
NKJV
Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue;
What does John 12:42 mean?
John uses the term "nevertheless" to note that his prior comments are not universal. The nation of Israel, on the whole, rejected Jesus as their Messiah (John 12:37–40). This was despite His many miracles, teachings, and the evidence of the Bible itself (John 5:31–47). That does not mean that every single person, without exception, chose to ignore the "signs" they were provided (John 20:30–31). Even among the religious leaders of Jerusalem, there were those who followed Christ's teachings to their logical conclusion.Scripture indicates that there were at least two such followers: Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea (John 19:38–39). Other passages indicate these men were willing to speak well of Jesus, or at least to be fair (John 7:50–51). Fear of losing their positions and the respect of their peers, however, kept them from speaking more boldly and honestly about their faith (John 9:22). This is a point made directly, and harshly, in the following verse (John 12:43).
John 12:27–43 represents the end of Jesus' public ministry in the gospel of John. After being approached by non-Jewish people who believed in God, Jesus seems agitated as He anticipates His impending death. A voice from heaven affirms His mission, but to most people it simply sounds like noise or thunder. What Jesus means as a reference to crucifixion is misinterpreted by many as a prediction that He'll be exalted: to be ''lifted up.'' The people struggle to understand His message, and Jesus will leave them after warning that their time is short. This confirms Old Testament prophecies and reiterates how far some people will go in order to defy evidence of God.
Jesus is treated to an honorary dinner at the home of Lazarus, whom He has recently raised from death. At this dinner, Lazarus' sister, Mary, anoints Jesus with expensive oil. Jesus then enters Jerusalem to great fanfare, stoking fears that His popularity will attract the anger of the Roman Empire. That anger even inspires a murder plot against Lazarus. After being approached by non-Jewish seekers, Jesus offers a final plea for people to understand His ministry. In effect, these are the last public words spoken by Jesus in the gospel of John.
