Yochanan 7:13

13 No one, however, was speaking openly about Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach because of the fear of those of Yehudah.

Yochanan 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.

Yochanan 7:13 In-Context

11 Then those of Yehudah were seeking Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach in the Chag (Feast) and were saying, Where is that man?

12 And there was much telunnah (murmuring) about Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach among the multitudes. Some were saying, He is tov (good), but others were saying, Lo (no), he deceives the multitude.

13 No one, however, was speaking openly about Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach because of the fear of those of Yehudah.

14 But around the middle period of the Chag (Feast), Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach went up to the Beis Hamikdash and was saying shiurim (teaching torah).

15 Therefore, those of Yehudah were marveling, saying, How has this man binah (understanding) of a Yeshiva yode’a sefer (scholar), not having learned?