Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;
Once the Pharisees sneeringly asked the officers (7:48): “Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him?” And now “many even among the leaders believed in him.” Apparently Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were among many other believers who were leaders.
The fear of the leaders that they would be thrown out of the synagogue was real (John 9:22).
John 9:22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue.