Albert Barnes Commentary John 7:4-5

"For no man doeth anything in secret, and himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou doest these things, manifest thyself to the world. For even his brethren did not believe on him." — John 7:4-5 (ASV)

For there is no man... (John 7:4). The brethren of Jesus supposed that he was influenced as others are. As it is a common thing among people to seek popularity, so they supposed that he would also seek it; and as a great multitude would be assembled at Jerusalem at this feast, they supposed it would be a favourable time to make himself known.

What follows shows that this was said, probably, not in sincerity, but in derision. To the other sufferings of our Lord was to be added what is so common to Christians: derision from his relatives and friends on account of his pretensions. If our Saviour was derided, we also may expect to be derided by our relatives; and, having his example, we should be content to bear it.

If thou do... (John 7:4). It appears from this that they did not really believe that he performed miracles; or, if they did believe it, they did not suppose that he was the Christ. Yet it seems hardly credible that they could suppose that his miracles were real, and yet not admit that he was the Messiah. Besides, there is no evidence that these relatives had been present at any of his miracles, and all that they knew of them might have been from report. (See the commentary on Mark 3:21).

Regarding the word brethren in John 7:5, see the commentary on Matthew 13:55.

See the commentary on Galatians 1:19.