John 7:13

13 nevertheless no man spake openly of him, for dread of the Jews.

John 7:13 Meaning and Commentary

John 7:13

Howbeit, no man spoke openly of him
So loud as to be overheard, at least by many, but in a secret and whispering way; or did not speak with freedom, or all their mind, what they really thought of him, nor with courage and boldness:

for fear the Jews;
for fear of being mobbed by them, or up and prosecuted, or turned out of the synagogue; for a law was made, that whoever confessed him, should be so used; and this deterred persons from expressing the true sentiments of their minds about him.

John 7:13 In-Context

11 Therefore the Jews sought him in the feast day, and said, Where is he?

12 And much grumbling [And much grutching] was of him among the people. For some said, That he is good; and others said, Nay, but he deceiveth the people;

13 nevertheless no man spake openly of him, for dread of the Jews.

14 But when the middle feast day came, Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.

15 And the Jews wondered, and said [saying], How knoweth this man letters, since he hath not learned?