Albert Barnes Commentary John 7:8

"Go ye up unto the feast: I go not up unto this feast; because my time is not yet fulfilled." — John 7:8 (ASV)

I go not up yet. Jesus remained until about the middle of the feast (John 7:14). That is, he remained about four days after his brothers had departed, or until the majority of the people had gone up. He did this so that his going might not attract attention, and so that it could not be said he chose such a time to incite a tumult.

We have here a notable instance of our Lord's prudence and his aversion to ostentation. Though it would have been lawful for him to go up at that time, and though it would have been a favorable period to make himself known, yet he chose to forgo these advantages. He did this rather than provide an occasion for envy and jealousy to the rulers, or to appear even to incite a tumult among the people.