However, no one was speaking openly about Him, for fear of the Jews.
Parallel translations
- WEB Yet no one spoke openly of him for fear of the Jews.
- KJV Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.
- BSB Yet no one would speak publicly about Him for fear of the Jews.
- NKJV However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.
- NLT But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
No one spoke openly about Jesus because they feared the Jewish authorities. Fear of the leaders silenced honest discussion about Him.
Overview
The intimidating power of the religious establishment kept people from openly confessing any favorable view of Jesus. This fear of man recurs in John (9:22; 12:42) and stands in contrast to the bold confession Jesus calls for. It exposes how the threat of social and religious exclusion can suppress the truth, a pressure believers in every age may face.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- John 9:22His parents said these things because they feared the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if any man would confess him as Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue.
- John 19:38After these things, Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission. He came therefore and took away his body.
- John 20:19When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”
- John 12:42–43Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess it, so that they wouldn’t be put out of the synagogue,
- Rev 2:13“I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. You hold firmly to my name, and didn’t deny my faith in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
- Prov 29:25The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe.
- 2 Tim 2:9–13in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained.
- John 3:2The same came to him by night, and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.”
- Gal 2:12–13For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.
- John 9:34They answered him, “You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us?” They threw him out.
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
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Original language
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