John 7:13

13 But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.

John 7:13 in Other Translations

13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.

13 Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.

13 But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.

13 This kind of talk went on in guarded whispers because of the intimidating Jewish leaders.

13 Yet no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.

13 Yet, no one would talk openly about him because they were afraid of the Jews.

13 Still, nobody was talking publicly about Him because they feared the Jews.

13 But no one would say anything about him openly. They were afraid 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 Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?”

12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.”

13 But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.

14 Not until halfway through the festival did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach.

15 The Jews there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having been taught?”

Cross References

• 1. John 9:22; John 12:42; John 19:38; John 20:19