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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - John 12:42 - 12:42
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Nevertheless even (homōs mentoi kai). For the old homōs see 1Co 14:7; Gal 3:15 (only other examples in N.T.), here only with mentoi, “but yet,” and kai, “even.” In spite of what has just been said “many (polloi) even of the rulers” (recall the lonely shyness of Nicodemus in Joh 3:1.). These actually “believed on him” (episteusan eis auton) in their convictions, a remarkable statement as to the effect that Christ had in Jerusalem as the Sanhedrin plotted his death. Cf. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea.
But because of the Pharisees (alla dia tous Pharisaious). Like the whispered talk in Joh 7:13 “because of the fear of the Jews.” Once the Pharisees sneeringly asked the officers (Joh 7:48): “Hath any one of the rulers believed on him?” And now “many of the rulers have believed on him.”
They did not confess (ouch hōmologoun). Negative imperfect in contrast to the punctiliar aorist episteusan. “They kept on not confessing.” How like the cowardly excuses made today by those under conviction who refuse to step out for Christ.
Lest they should be put out of the synagogue (hina mē aposunagōgoi genōntai). Cf. Joh 9:22 where this very word occurs in a purpose clause like this. Only once more in the N.T. (Joh 16:2), a Jewish word not in profane authors. This ostracism from the synagogue was dreaded by the Jews and made cowards of these “believing elders.”
More than (mallon ēper). They preferred the glory and praise of men more than the glory and praise of God. How apropos these words are to some suave cowards today.