John 7:11-13 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Then the Jews The men of Judea, particularly of Jerusalem, not seeing him appear as usual; sought him at the feast Namely, at the beginning of it; and said, Where is he? What is become of Jesus? What can have prevented his coming to the feast? As he had formerly attended the principal feasts, and signalized himself by the miracles which he wrought, he had made himself the subject of much discourse and observation. And there was much murmuring among the people Γογγυσμος πολυς, much whispering: many private debates, especially among those who were come from distant parts. The word murmuring is not proper in this place, as it conveys the notion of discontent and grumbling, which does not appear to be suggested by the original term. It expresses solely the secrecy and caution which the people found it convenient to use in speaking on this subject, being prompted not by their resentments but by their fears. And it stands opposed to παρρησια, openly, which occurs in the next verse. For some said, He is a good man Eminently pious and benevolent; others Being under the force of strong prejudices, and suspecting the worst; said, Nay, but he deceiveth the people Seduces and misleads the ignorant populace, and the wiser part of the nation must see that he will undoubtedly at last draw his followers into ruin, as some other impostors have lately done. See Acts 5:36-37. Howbeit Though they thus privately debated the matter among themselves; no man spake openly of him Namely, in his favour; for fear of the Jews Of those that were in authority, these being jealous of his growing fame, and looking with a very malignant eye on all who took any peculiar notice of him, or manifested any regard for him. In the mean time, those that thought contemptibly of him, might doubtless have spoken their minds as freely as they pleased, being in no danger of punishment from the rulers or higher classes of the people.