John 7:13

13 Yet no one would speak 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 The Jews were looking for him at the festival and saying, "Where is he?"
12 And there was considerable complaining about him among the crowds. While some were saying, "He is a good man," others were saying, "No, he is deceiving the crowd."
13 Yet no one would speak openly about him for fear of the Jews.
14 About the middle of the festival Jesus went up into the temple and began to teach.
15 The Jews were astonished at it, saying, "How does this man have such learning, when he has never been taught?"
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.