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John 7:13

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 7:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Yet no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Yet no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.
John 7:13 — American Standard Version

Context — John 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10But when his brethren were gone up unto the feast, then went he also up, not publicly, but as it were in secret.
11The Jews therefore sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
12And there was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him: some said, He is a good man; others said, Not so, but he leadeth the multitude astray.
13Yet no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.
14But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
15The Jews therefore marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
16Jesus therefore answered them and said, My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me.
← John 7:12John 7:14 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Howbeit, no man spoke openly of him, etc.] 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.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“none spake openly of him--that is, in His favor, "for fear of the [ruling] Jews."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Spake openly of him - The word translated “openly,” here, is commonly rendered “boldly.” This refers doubtless, to those who really believed on him. His enemies were not silent; but his friends had not confidence to speak of him openly or boldly that is, to speak what they really thought. Many supposed that he was the Messiah, yet even this they did not dare to profess. All that they could say in his favor was that he was a good man. There are always many such friends of Jesus in the world who are desirous of saying something good about him, but who, from fear or shame, refuse to make a full acknowledgment of him. Many will praise his morals, his precepts, and his holy life, while they are…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“However no man spake openly of him - Not in favour of him: for fear of the Jews - Those that were in authority. John 7:14”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“spake: Joh 3:2, Joh 9:22, Joh 9:34, Joh 12:42, Joh 12:43, Joh 19:38, Joh 20:19; Pro 29:25; Gal 2:12, Gal 2:13; Ti2 2:9-13; Rev 2:13 John 7:14”
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Related study paths

Read John 7 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification