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John 12:41-43

Joh 12:41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke about him.

Joh 12:42 At the same time, actually, many did believe in him even among the rulers, but because of the Pharisees they were not admitting it, so that they would not be expelled from the synagogue.

Joh 12:43 Because they loved human glory more than the glory of God.

Cowardly attraction or steady faith

The word for “believe” (πιστεύω) is sufficiently general that it actually refers here to the cowardly attraction the crowds had to Jesus. They were not committed enough to stand up for Jesus to the peer pressure of the religious elite, who had turned against him.

Do you believe in Jesus, my friend? Don’t answer in the sanctuary of your church. Answer that question in the halls of your school, or the break table at work.

Lord, give us a strong and steady faith which affirms faith in you wherever the question is raised.