John 7:13

13 no one, however, was speaking freely about him, through fear 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 the Jews, therefore, were seeking him, in the feast, and said, `Where is that one?'

12 and there was much murmuring about him among the multitudes, some indeed said -- `He is good;' and others said, `No, but he leadeth astray the multitude;'

13 no one, however, was speaking freely about him, through fear of the Jews.

14 And it being now the middle of the feast, Jesus went up to the temple, and he was teaching,

15 and the Jews were wondering, saying, `How hath this one known letters -- not having learned?'