71 And Jesus was walking after these things in Galilee, for he did not wish to walk in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him, 2 and the feast of the Jews was nigh—that of tabernacles— 3 his brethren, therefore, said unto him, 'Remove hence, and go away to Judea, that thy disciples also may behold thy works that thou dost; 4 for no one in secret doth anything, and himself seeketh to be in public; if thou dost these things—manifest thyself to the world;' 5 for not even were his brethren believing in him. 6 Jesus, therefore, saith to them, 'My time is not yet present, but your time is always ready; 7 the world is not able to hate you, but me it doth hate, because I testify concerning it that its works are evil. 8 Ye—go ye up to this feast; I do not yet go up to this feast, because my time hath not yet been fulfilled;' 9 and saying these things to them, he remained in Galilee.
10 And when his brethren went up, then also he himself went up to the feast, not manifestly, but as in secret; 11 the Jews, therefore, were seeking him, in the feast, and said, 'Where is that one?' 12 and there was much murmuring about him among the multitudes, some indeed said—'He is good;' and others said, 'No, but he leadeth astray the multitude;' 13 no one, however, was speaking freely about him, through fear of the Jews.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 7:1-13
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.