But after His brothers had gone up to the feast, He also went—not publicly, but in secret.
We have here, I. The reason given why Christ spent more of his time in Galilee than in Judea (Joh 7:1): because the Jews, the people in Judea and Jerusalem, sought to kill him, for curing the impotent man on the sabbath day, Joh 5:16.
Commenting on John 7:1-13
Then the Jews sought him at the feast,.... Some to take him and kill him, and others to hear his doctrine, and see his miracles: for all expected him at the feast, knowing it was always his custom, as it was his duty, as an Israelite, to attend at it: and said, where is he?
then went he . . . not openly--not "in the (caravan) company" [MEYER]. See on Luk 2:44. as it were in secret--rather, "in a manner secretly"; perhaps by some other route, and in a way not to attract notice.