John 12:41-43

Amplified Bible

⁴¹ Isaiah said these things because he saw His glory and spoke about Him.^{(A) 42} Nevertheless, even many of the leading men believed in Him [as Savior and Messiah], but because of the Pharisees they would not confess it, for fear that [if they acknowledged Him openly] they would be put out of the synagogue (excommunicated); ⁴³ for they loved the approval of men more than the approval of God.