Note 13 at Jn. 12:42: The Apostle Peter at one point failed to confess Jesus before men (Jn. 18:17,25-27), but after the Holy Spirit was given, he was a different man who boldly confessed Him (Acts 4:8-13).

We do not know the real condition of these believing rulers' hearts, but we do know that they loved men's praises (v. 43) more than God's (Jn. 5:44). Their unwillingness to confess Christ throws serious doubt on the complete genuineness of the faith of these men; and the willingness of Christ to commit Himself to them (compare with Jn. 2:23- 25). Jesus said, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven" (Mt. 10:32-33).