10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. 11 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? 12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. 13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews. (John 7:10-13 KJV)
Jesus at the Feast of Booths
When the time came, he went to the feast. First, he went after his brothers (John 7:10). He did not go with them, to avoid drawing attention, as foretold (Isaiah 42:2), but he went afterward. This shows that we may worship with people we wouldn’t associate with privately; the blessing comes from God, not from fellow worshippers. It is worth noting that hypocrites may arrive at worship first, but it’s not about who comes first, rather who comes ready.
Moreover, he went quietly, “as if in secret,” not to avoid danger, but to avoid creating a stir. This illustrates that the work of God is best done without fanfare. The kingdom doesn’t come with spectacle (Luke 17:20), and God’s work can be done privately without being deceitful.
Meanwhile, there was great expectation about Jesus in Jerusalem (John 7:11-14). People were looking for him at the feast (John 7:11), asking, “Where is he?” Some hoped to see his miracles but wouldn’t seek him in Galilee, while others—likely his enemies—looked for a chance to arrest him. This reminds us that some use sacred gatherings as opportunities to sin, just as Saul hoped to kill David at the new moon feast (1 Samuel 20:27). To sin in holy settings is to defy God directly.
In addition to this anticipation, people were also divided in their opinions about him (John 7:12), as “there was widespread whispering about him.” Ironically, the leaders’ hostility only made the people talk about him more. This reflects how the gospel often spreads more when opposed—being “spoken against” leads to it being “spoken of.” Some criticized the rulers for not supporting him, others for not stopping him. While some were bothered by his success in Galilee, others questioned his lack of influence in Jerusalem. Indeed, Christ has always been a topic of debate (Luke 12:51–52). Just as the dry bones in Ezekiel’s valley lay quietly until they were told to live—then came noise and movement (Ezekiel 37:7)—so too does the name of Christ stir people to reaction.
Among the varied opinions, some said, “He is a good man”—which, though true, was not enough. He was more than good; he was divine. Yet many honor Christ too faintly. Others said, “He deceives the people”—a false accusation, since his teaching and miracles were genuine. Nevertheless, because it suited the rulers, some claimed he was a fraud. Such debates continue even today: some call him merely good, while others accuse him of deception.
Adding to the tension, fear kept people from speaking openly about him (John 7:13). Many either didn’t dare defend him or didn’t dare speak of him at all; even mentioning his name became a crime. This highlights how some have tried to suppress truth by banning discussion about it. Silencing talk of religion is often an attempt to destroy religion itself.