John 7:10 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

But when his brethren His carnal relations and their friends, in whose company he did not choose to travel; were gone up, then went he also to the feast In obedience to the divine command, and because it would give him an opportunity of honouring God, and doing good; but not openly Not publicly, with a train of attendants, as he had often done: but as it were in secret With as much privacy as possible; and that probably rather for fear of giving offence than of receiving injury: he would not unnecessarily provoke the government, which his being accompanied with a multitude of people would have done. And this suggests another reason for his delay. Had he taken this journey at the usual time, the multitudes who were on the road would have gathered round him, and accompanied him to Jerusalem, and at once have excited the notice, and provoked the malice and envy of his enemies; he therefore did not set out till the greater part of the people were gone, and then went up as privately as possible, neither preaching nor working miracles by the way.