“¶ Neuerthelesse, among the chiefe rulers also, many beleeued on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confesse him, lest they should be put out of the Synagogue.”
1611 King James Version (KJV)
Joh 12:42 Among the chief rulers also many believed on him. Members of the Sanhedrin. We have the names of two, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. See Joh 19:38,39. They did not confess [him]. For fear of excommunication. The Pharisees had decided to excommunicate those who did. See Joh 9:22. The two rulers just named afterwards became bolder.