'Rulers' in the Bible

Now there was among the Pharisees a man named Nicodemus, who was one of the rulers of the Jews.

And here he is talking openly and they say nothing to him! Is it possible that the rulers have knowledge that this is truly the Christ?

Have any of the rulers belief in him, or any one of the Pharisees?

However, a number even of the rulers had belief in him, but because of the Pharisees they did not say so openly for fear that they might be shut out from the Synagogue: