John 7:13

13 However, no one was speaking openly about him for 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 So the Jews were looking for him at the feast, and were saying, "Where is he?"

12 And there was a lot of grumbling concerning him among the crowds; some were saying, "He is a good [man]," but others were saying, "No, but he deceives the crowd."

13 However, no one was speaking openly about him for fear of the Jews.

14 {Now when the feast was already half over}, Jesus went to the temple [courts] and began to teach.

15 Then the Jews were astonished, saying, "How does this man {possess knowledge}, [because he] has not been taught?"