THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN - Chapter 7 - Verse 13
Verse 13. Spake openly of him. The word translated openly, here,
is commonly rendered boldly. This refers, doubtless, to those who
really believed on him. His enemies were not silent; but his friends
had not confidence to speak of him openly or boldly—that is, to
speak what they really thought. Many supposed that he was the Messiah,
yet even this they did not dare to profess. All that they could say in
his favour was that he was a good man. There are always many such
friends of Jesus in the world who are desirous of saying something
good about him, but who, from fear or shame, refuse to make a full
acknowledgement of him. Many will praise his morals, his precepts,
and his holy life, while they are ashamed to speak of his
divinity or his atonement, and still more to acknowledge that
they are dependent on him for salvation.
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