71 After these things Jesus was walking in Galilee , for He was unwilling e to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him. 2 Now the feast of the Jews , the Feast of Booths , was near . 3 Therefore His brothers said to Him, "Leave here and go into Judea , so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing . 4 "For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known publicly . If You do these things , show Yourself to the world ." 5 For not even His brothers were believing in Him. 6 So Jesus said to them, " My time is not yet here , but your time is always opportune . 7 " The world cannot e hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil . 8 "Go up to the feast yourselves ; I do not go up to this feast because My time has not yet fully come ." 9 Having said these things to them, He stayed in Galilee .
10 But when His brothers had gone up to the feast , then He Himself also went up, not publicly , but as if , in secret . 11 So the Jews were seeking Him at the feast and were saying , "Where is He?" 12 There was much grumbling among the crowds concerning Him; some were saying , "He is a good man "; others were saying , "No , on the contrary , He leads the people astray ." 13 Yet no one was speaking openly of Him for fear of the Jews .
14 But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple , and began to teach .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 7:1-14
Commentary on John 7:1-13
(Read John 7:1-13)
The brethren or kinsmen of Jesus were disgusted, when they found there was no prospect of worldly advantages from him. Ungodly men sometimes undertake to counsel those employed in the work of God; but they only advise what appears likely to promote present advantages. The people differed about his doctrine and miracles, while those who favoured him, dared not openly to avow their sentiments. Those who count the preachers of the gospel to be deceivers, speak out, while many who favour them, fear to get reproach by avowing regard for them.
Commentary on John 7:14-24
(Read John 7:14-24)
Every faithful minister may humbly adopt Christ's words. His doctrine is not his own finding out, but is from God's word, through the teaching of his Spirit. And amidst the disputes which disturb the world, if any man, of any nation, seeks to do the will of God, he shall know whether the doctrine is of God, or whether men speak of themselves. Only those who hate the truth shall be given up to errors which will be fatal. Surely it was as agreeable to the design of the sabbath to restore health to the afflicted, as to administer an outward rite. Jesus told them to decide on his conduct according to the spiritual import of the Divine law. We must not judge concerning any by their outward appearance, but by their worth, and by the gifts and graces of God's Spirit in them.