Howbeit no man spake {c} openly of him for fear of the Jews.

(c) Or, boldly and freely: for the majority of the Jews wanted nothing more than to extinguish his fame and his name.

People's New Testament

7:12,13 The people means the masses of the Jewish nation. The people were divided in opinion, but dared not express themselves openly until they saw what course the Jews would take.

Wesley's Notes

7:13 However no man spake openly of him - Not in favour of him: for fear of the Jews - Those that were in authority.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13. none spake openly of him-that is, in His favor, "for fear of the [ruling] Jews."

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

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.