John 12:42-43 42Yet at the same time, many even of the authorities believed in him, but on account of the Pharisees, they did not confess it, in order that they might not be put out of the synagogue; 43for they loved the glory from people more than the glory from God.
These verses give John’s second reason why the people rejected Jesus. This form of rejection was subtle and might not be interpreted as genuine rejection. Verse 42 begins positively about the many people who believed in Jesus. His message was clear, and his miraculous signs were convincing because these people had faith and were willing to change their thinking. Some leaders did believe, such as the courageous Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, who asked for Jesus’ body and put it in a tomb.
The problem was that some of these leaders gave in to peer pressure and the powerful shame factor. The self-righteous Pharisees judged anyone who did not conform to their holy standard. As a group, they refused to believe in Jesus (7:48). They had the social power in the synagogues, which functioned not simply as a place of worship but community centers. To be expelled from a synagogue was to be cut off from community life and shamed. Social ostracization through shame and disassociation was a powerful force that could create many problems for people, especially in the small villages and towns of Judea and Galilee.
John summarizes the problem in the phrase they did not confess. Confession is how a person acknowledges his or her faith in Jesus. It is a form of witness that confirms the decision of faith. The same word for confess (homologeō) is used in Romans 10:9 to show the necessity of witnessing to one’s faith in Jesus. These people wanted a safe faith. They liked Jesus but were unwilling to pay the cost of following him. Verse 43 gives their motive. They were more concerned about what people said than what God said. God’s glory was evident in Jesus (1:14). By believing in him, people acknowledge his glory and by extension, the glory of God.
The simple message of these verses is that a person must make the full commitment to accept Jesus as the revealed Messiah, Son of God, and Savior. Do not give in to peer pressure or try to be a secret Christian. To not fear what others say or do because you believe in Jesus. Some people may call themselves Christians but are only Christians in name only. When culture changes, or others question them, they turn away or deny Jesus, as Peter did on the night of Jesus’ trial.
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