John 12:42

Although unbelief was so commonly the result of Christ's manifestation, ὅμως μέντοι, cf. Herodot., i. 189, “nevertheless, however, even of the rulers many believed on Him, but on account of the Pharisees they did not confess Him (ὡμολόγουν, imperfect, their fear to confess Him was continued) lest they should be put out of the synagogue”. The inherent truth of the teaching of Jesus compelled response even in those least likely to be influenced. Westcott says: “This complete intellectual faith (so to speak) is really the climax of unbelief. The conviction found no expression in life.” This is true of the bulk of those referred to (see John 12:43), but cannot apply to all (see John 7:50; John 19:38-39). For ἀποσυνάγωγοι see John 9:22; John 16:2. ἠγάπησαν … Θεοῦ. As in John 5:44 an excessive craving for the glory which men can bestow is noted as the cause of unbelief.