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|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:

|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:

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|However, some of the leaders did believe in Him, but because of the Pharisees, they did not dare confess Him openly, for fear that they would be expelled from the synagogue.

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|The strong contrast starting this verse (literally "nevertheless however") shows that the faith was real, but although they KNEW deep down in their hearts that Jesus was the Christ, they were not willing to face the consequences of openly and boldly living their faith in Jesus. How many times are we too embarrassed or too timid to boldly proclaim Jesus no matter what ridicule, persecution or attacks we may face as a result?

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|For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

|For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

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|Because, even they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.

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|Despite their faith in Jesus, what others thought of them was more important than following God with boldness and honesty, no matter what the consequences. The word translated "loved" here is the verb form of agape, which is love demonstrated through action and sacrifice, showing that their ACTIONS demonstrated what the really loved. It is an indictment of their actions, NOT their feelings. It is always the same: our ACTIONS, not our words or feelings, demonstrates what is really in our heart. Another way of saying it is this: no one's life is changed by how we FEEL about them, their life is changed by what we DO for them.

 

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